Copyediting
Copyediting precedes proofreading and follows the developmental stage (though a developmental edit is not a prerequisite for this service). The aim of copyediting is to improve the readability of the text for your intended audience, and to enhance your writing without compromising your style or voice.
​
During a copyedit, I will look out for any issues/ inconsistencies relating to:
-
Spelling, punctuation, grammar, and tense
-
Language, word choice, and syntax
-
Consistency, clarity, and continuity
-
Illustrations, tables, and graphs (including their placement and captions)
-
Formatting: chapter title, headings, subheadings, paragraph indents, and line breaks etc.
-
Repetition
-
References and citations
-
Occasional fact-checking (if agreed prior to the start of the project)
-
Any copyright or legal concerns
I will edit the document in Word using Track Changes and add any queries that I have to the document for your consideration.
Ahead of the project starting, I will conduct a free sample edit of up to 1,000 words so I can provide an evaluation, timeline, and cost estimate for the project. This is also an opportunity for you to make sure I am the right fit for you. You can read more about the importance of a sample edit here.
​
Before commencing we will discuss your preferences such as what level of copyedit you require, and if you are working with a style guide e.g. New Hart’s Rules or Chicago Manual of Style.
​
At the end of the project, I will return the copyedited document along with a style sheet (unless you already have one, in which case I am happy to use/ edit). This document will detail any preferences relating to character names, spellings, capitalization, punctuation, number formatting, and any other stylistic choices. A style sheet is a useful tool that you can use for any future copyeditors or proofreaders.
​
If your work has already been copyedited, you may require a proofread instead. I explain more about the differences in my blog post. If you are still unsure, please get in touch and we can discuss the needs of your individual project.
​
If you are interested in using this service, please drop me an email at susannahbutler.edits@gmail.com with some brief information about your project (type of project/ genre, word count, synopsis, budget, and timeline), or use the contact form.