What is it?

Copyediting is the act of fine-tuning a manuscript to ensure that the language supports your voice and intent as an author, while also creating the most readable version of your book.

In the UK, copyediting focuses on paragraph structure, sentence structure, grammar, spelling, punctuation, writing style, readability and whether the message is conveyed in a way which makes sense to the reader.

Copyediting can be broken down into different levels.

A light copyedit corrects the mechanical aspects of language: Spelling, punctuation, grammar, use of numbers, hyphenation, capitalisation, the organisation of lists. It will also highlight any areas which are unclear or require fact-checking.

A medium copyedit does all of the above and additionally looks at word choice, writing style, voice and tone. It highlights the use of inappropriate language (racism, ableism, sexism etc.). It also queries ambiguity, logic or continuity issues.

A heavy copyedit does all of the above, however instead of highlighting or querying issues, as editor I correct them. This can include reorganising paragraphs, adding headings, moving information into different chapters where it might be more appropriate. Recommending inclusion or deletion of certain elements. This will always be done with a way to track the changes and an explanation will be given for each instance.

Who needs it?

Authors who have completed their manuscripts and either had a developmental edit or have brought their manuscript to the stage where they are confident that it is correctly structured and now needs a second set of eyes to ensure that it is grammatically correct, has no spelling mistakes or inconsistencies, is factually correct where it needs to be and is ready for publishing.

What I will do for you

I will go through your manuscript line by line in accordance with the level of copyediting you require.

I will improve grammar, punctuation, spelling, eliminate redundancies in your text and identify discrepancies and inconsistencies, i.e. a character has blue eyes at the start of the book and green eyes halfway through, or they are wearing heels and flats in the same scene. 

I look at your use of language and offer advice to improve the readability of your manuscript, addressing issues like homophones, unrealistic dialogue, tonal inconsistencies, and run-on sentences, which may affect the reading experience.

I consult a range of manuals for copyediting, depending on where you are based and where you are planning to publish your work. These include the New Oxford Style Manual (UK) and The Chicago Manual of Style (USA). I also set a specific dictionary as the authority, such as the Oxford English Dictionary or Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. 

To keep track of the styles in use in a single manuscript, I create an editorial feedback report as I edit. The report includes the following.

– Project Notes. This is written feedback from each stage of the editing process, which are additional to or more detailed than any comments I have made on the manuscript. These notes are tailored to each specific project and detail the work I have undertaken, explain my reasoning for certain decisions and any editorial suggestions.

– A style sheet designed to ensure that your work remains editorially consistent. It reflects the grammar, punctuation and other editorial policies I have implemented in your text, based on the style guide and dictionary used.

– For fiction. Character bios and key notes containing descriptions and important details for each character.

– A list of notable words and spellings in alphabetical order. Particularly useful in Sci-Fi and Fantasy.

– Manuscript layout information, listing the page size, chapter titles and page numbers, allowing at-a-glance assessment of chapter length and other information contained within the manuscript.

– For non-fiction. Asset log to record images, graphs, illustrations etc. which will be included in your final product.

My editorial feedback report is an organised way to maintain consistency and communicate your manuscript’s style to you and future proof readers.

I edit using MS Word. I use track changes and make notes in the margin with comments on specific areas.