Editing Services

*Note (September 2023): My work plate is pleasantly full these days, so I am not taking new clients until further notice. Thank you for visiting.

Book editing is a multi-step process. The stages go by different names, depending on who you ask, but they generally follow this order:

1. developmental (content) editing: feedback on concept, organization, flow, pace, effectiveness
2. line (substantive) editing: line-by-line editing to polish text and improve readability    
3. copyediting: mechanical revisions to ensure correctness, consistency, and clarity
4. proofreading: reading typeset proofs for typos and errors in grammar, formatting, punctuation 

​After reviewing your project, I'll offer an estimate based on suggested and/or requested editing service(s), word count, time required, and type of manuscript. Contact me about getting started.

Interested in the kinds of books I've worked on? Check out this partial list of nonfiction projects, organized by genre/topic, and this list of novels. 

Developmental (Content) Editing
Developmental editing is the first editing stage; it addresses the manuscript's big picture and overall concept. I provide detailed feedback, guidance, examples, and suggestions throughout the manuscript, but stop short of making widespread revisions to the text. Content editing looks at

• paragraph- and chapter-level organization
• clarity and logic of argument, steps, events
• flow and pace 
• consistency and appropriateness of tone for intended audience
• adherence to genre-specific norms 

Line (Substantive) Editing 
Line editing involves polishing the text line by line. It includes basic copyediting and goes a step beyond to improve readability and flow in addition to ensuring grammatical correctness. This service is appropriate for manuscripts that have already been critiqued and/or edited for big-picture issues. Line editing

• fixes wordiness, wandering sentences, repetition  
• looks at word choice, active vs. passive voice, showing vs. telling
• smooths transitions between ideas, paragraphs, sentences   
• ensures consistency in overall tone and style
• addresses the grammar, syntax, and usage concerns of copyediting (but not formatting, tables/figures, citation style, fact checking, proofreading for consistency, and so on)

Copyediting 
Copyediting is the final editing stage and ensures the manuscript is clear, correct, and consistent. This service is appropriate for manuscripts that have already been edited for content (developmental editing) and language (line editing) issues. Copyediting ensures

• correctness and consistency of spelling, grammar, usage, punctuation, capitalization, number treatment, and other mechanics
• absence of awkward and unclear syntax
• conformity to the specified style guide (such as Chicago Manual of Style)
• correctness and consistency of facts and figures 
• correct and consistent formatting of references/text citations or bibliography/notes

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​"One thing I can tell you: That is an excellent copy editor you've got there."
—Paul Sonnino, author (to a production editor)

"Gail, I am so pleased with your work. You exceeded all expectations and your feedback elevated my writing to a new and wonderful level. . . . You’ve been great to work with and I hope we can work together on a future project."
—Derek Cameron Phoenix, author
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"Thank you so much, Gail. . . . I wish you could work on all of my books!"
​—Erin Sprague, editorial coordinator
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"Your copy editor is amazing, my hat is off to her for her accuracy and train of thought."
​—David Gething, author (to a production editor)
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"Gail really improved the quality of my book! She has a great eye and memory for inconsistencies, confusions, changes in voice . . . basically everything you'd want in a copy editor."
—Cianna P. Stewart, author
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