My editing services are tailored to each client’s needs. The project’s goals, intended audience, client preferences and budget, and deadline all play a role in determining the specific services I provide.

Levels of Edit

Copyediting

Correct for grammar, syntax, language use. Ensure consistency of spelling, capitalization, numbering, abbreviations, acronyms, adherence to format or style. Check citations within text and format of references and bibliographies. Verify hyperlinks, trade names, proper names, etc. Check that tables, figures, and captions agree with text references. Create glossaries, acronym lists, figure/table titles, etc.

Substantive editing

Rework or rewrite confusing, awkward, or ambiguous sentences and paragraphs to improve flow and readability. Clarify ideas, reduce wordiness, eliminate redundancies, cut to fit space or word count requirements. Reorder and restructure to improve sense, logic, and organization.

Proofreading

Correct typos and errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization, hyphenation, fonts, misplaced/extra words, and spacing. Check that previous rounds of edits/revisions have been incorporated correctly. Query areas that don’t make sense or have issues with logic or language.

Developmental editing

Evaluate entire work for coherence of argument and logic, organization, and flow of ideas. Suggest ways author can rework for greater impact and effectiveness.

Tools and Techniques

• Online editing and formatting using Microsoft Word and Track Changes
• Markup of PDFs using Adobe Acrobat stickies and comments
• Editing briefings in Microsoft PowerPoint
• Paper editing with traditional colored-pen markup
• Formatting for readability, appearance, consistent treatment of elements and styles, removal of extraneous spaces, paragraph returns, etc.

Style Guides

The Chicago Manual of Style, Words into Type, MLA Handbook