Copy Editing
Once your story and structure are where you want them, copy editing is the pass that gets your sentences ready for readers. I work line by line, fixing grammar, punctuation, consistency, and clarity issues without changing your voice.
What's included
I go through your manuscript sentence by sentence, correcting grammar, punctuation, and syntax errors while flagging anything unclear or inconsistent.
You'll get full track-changes markup so you can see every edit and accept or reject changes as you see fit.
I check for consistency throughout, names, timelines, formatting, and recurring details that are easy to lose track of across a long manuscript.
If something reads unclear or awkward even though it's technically correct, I'll flag it with a suggestion, not just a fix.
Pricing
$0.02 USD per word. Minimum 30,000 words. For shorter projects, reach out for a custom quote.
Request a free sample editFrequently Asked Questions
What should I include when I reach out?
Please share your manuscript's working title, genre, word count, and whether the draft is final or near-final. It also helps to mention anything specific you've noticed, recurring typos, inconsistent names or timelines, formatting issues, so I know what to watch for from the start.
What happens after I hear from you?
Once I understand your project, I'll complete a free sample edit on a short section so you can see exactly how I work. From there, I'll send a quote and an estimated turnaround time. Once you confirm and pay the retainer, I get started on the full manuscript.
My manuscript needs a fast turnaround. Can you accommodate that?
Depending on length and my current schedule, I can sometimes take on a rush timeline for an additional fee. Reach out and I'll let you know what's realistic.
How does payment work?
I ask for 50% of the total project estimate upfront to confirm your spot and begin work. The remaining 50% is due once the edit is complete, before I send back the final manuscript. If the final word count differs from what was initially shared, the remaining balance is adjusted to reflect that. Payment is accepted via bank transfer or ACH, with details shared once we confirm your project. A card-based option is also available on request.
What's the difference between copy editing and proofreading?
Copy editing happens earlier and goes deeper. It covers grammar, punctuation, syntax, consistency, and clarity at the sentence level, and it's meant to catch issues while there's still room to discuss style and phrasing. Proofreading comes after, as a final check for anything that slipped through before publication. The two aren't interchangeable, and skipping straight to proofreading on a manuscript that hasn't had a copy edit usually means missing deeper issues.
Should I get a copy edit if I haven't done a developmental edit yet?
If your manuscript hasn't had a structural pass yet, I'd recommend developmental editing first. Polishing sentences in a chapter that might still need to be restructured or cut isn't the best use of your budget. Copy editing works best once the story or argument itself is in its final shape.
Will you change my voice or writing style?
No. Copy editing fixes what's technically inconsistent or unclear, not what makes your writing yours. If something reads oddly but is intentional and working, I'll leave it. If something is unclear in a way that risks confusing readers, I'll flag it and explain why, so you can decide how to handle it.
What is a sample edit, and why does it matter?
I'll copy edit a short section of your manuscript, usually around 1,000 words, before anything is finalized. It shows you how I work and gives me a clearer sense of how much time the full manuscript will need, so the quote I provide is accurate. You'll receive feedback on that section regardless of whether we move forward.
My manuscript is under 30,000 words. Why do I need a custom quote?
My rate accounts for the time a full copy edit takes from start to finish. Below a certain length, that rate doesn't reflect the actual time involved, so shorter manuscripts are quoted individually instead.
Do you also catch plot or structural issues during a copy edit?
If something significant stands out, I'll mention it, but copy editing isn't designed to catch deep structural problems the way developmental editing is. If I notice something that affects the manuscript at that level, I'll flag it so you can decide whether it's worth addressing separately.