Copy Edit

Copyediting focuses on spelling, grammar, punctuation, technical errors, and minor tense-related issues. If something regarding syntax or word order was overlooked in the line edit (or was changed during any rewriting between editing phases), then it will also be corrected in this stage.

Generally includes style sheet (if the author already has one from previous stage of editing or previous editor, please provide it so that additional things may be added).

Some editors include a style sheet with this stage of editing and some do not. Please ask your editor so that you know what to expect! However, bringing a style sheet to this stage, hopefully from a line editing phase, can benefit the editing quality by leaps and bounds. If you do not already have one from a prior editor, I suggest creating one to the best of your ability.

A style sheet is an additional document with which editors track several things regarding the story, including: synopsis, names, special vocabulary, timeline, setting, world-build related facts, and style-specific habits worthy of noting (such as how verbal versus text/sms dialogue is written).

If an author does not already have one for themselves, the editor may create one (or add to/edit the author's original to include editor's notes).

These things are great to keep track of for multiple reasons. First and foremost, it ensures that an editor does not correct something that the author does not want corrected (ie. they are keeping whatever it is, as is, on purpose). This is very helpful when it comes to names and other proper nouns and titles!

Second, a style sheet should always, if available, be sent with a manuscript for the proofread. Much like previously stated, it can keep confusion at bay. It will help professional readers to keep track of and make note of certain areas, words, or habits, that may be unintentional or ultimately harmful to a reader's enjoyment of the book.

And last, though certainly not least, it will be a massive help to the author and future editors for any subsequent books in a series or based in the same world or timeline.

Yes, there are writing programs and software in which an author may already store such notes. However, keeping it all on a separate, singular document WILL be useful, I promise.

Many authors and editors prefer to combine the line editing with copyediting. While it may work for them, it is neither my preference, nor does it simplify life for anyone involved in the long run.

IF the author has been writing for a long time, has published books with great reviews, and has a very clean manuscript—then I totally understand, and even support combining the two steps. It is more time efficient for everyone involved in this case to fix both things in the same pass and to catch any remaining minor errors in the proofread. However, this is NOT generally the case. If you're pretty sure your manuscript is ready for both and you prefer to combine the two phases in order to save money, I highly suggest booking a manuscript evaluation first so that you and your editor are in agreement.

While some editors and authors prefer to combine these two steps, I do not recommend it. See FAQs associated with proofreading for more.

"Because I said so" she growled.

Comma ->"Because I said so," she growled.

"The toy that belongs to little Jarod."

Conciseness ->"Little Jarod's toy."

Here's a passage from one of my own books that I recently wrote and will use as an example for you!

"Oh my darling," the queen cries[cried - maintain tense], "I could do much, but altering free will is not within my power - [— em-dash is more correct here]and that is what such a proposition would take. A perfect life, a perfect world in which nothing ever went wrong would mean to. [no period] take away my people's free will[choices - due to repetitiveness]."

Most corrections will occur in-line (to the text itself), but track changes will always be enabled so that the author can see what changes have been made and approve or disapprove any more optional or stylized suggestions. Some comments or thought-provoking questions will be written in the margins, especially if the editor sees an error repeatedly and thus, they know it is a habit for the writer. For example: a short explanation of en versus em-dashes.

IN GENERAL, most copy editors—including myself, can reasonably edit 4-6 pages an hour. Sometimes more, sometimes less, depending on the genre, gravity of the material, and density of errors.

This means, that for an editor who has ~20 hours/week available to edit your book, for an 80k word book, it will take 4-6 weeks to receive your completed edit from the time work begins on it (not necessarily from the time a contract is signed). Discuss your timeline needs with your editor.

Note: I do not often offer copy editing services at this time unless I am particularly intrigued my the novel or I love working with a particular author. If you are in need of it, feel free to discuss your needs with me and I may still have the availability and offer you a contract, or I may connect you with a colleague who excels with this phase. Please read on for more information about this stage of editing so that, whether with me or another editor, you know what to expect!

Short answer: no.

Better answer: No, but some editors may add some formatting, depending on the editing phase, but most will do no more than add paragraph indentations, chapter numbers/titles, or add page numbers. These will be purely for their own ease of movement within and editing of the document. These changes are generally made with “track changes” on, so that they can be undone if the author prefers. However, unless an editor is being specifically hired to format a document, they will do no more than what is necessary for them to edit to the best of their ability.

Formatting is a separate phase of the editing/publishing process and some editors offer special packages just for formatting. If you need recommendations, I may be able to help!