Editing with a Fine Tooth Comb
My editing service, step by step:
Consultation
The author or publisher sends me a digital copy of the manuscript.
Communicating via email, we determine the scope of the edit. (Phone or Zoom conversations are possible.)
An estimated price for the job is determined at five cents per word.
Copy editing
Perform a “mechanical edit”—a search for sixty potential errors in punctuation, formatting, and other aspects.
Check grammar. My reference is The Chicago Manual of Style.
Fix spelling errors.
Eliminate inconsistencies in spelling, point of view, and tense.
If needed, tweak the prose to conform with American English.
Line Editing
This process enhances readability while preserving the author’s voice. It requires a deft touch. Some changes are made to the text and other changes are suggested.
Tighten sentences to improve clarity and pacing.
Point out or replace awkward words.
When appropriate, replace passive verbs with active verbs.
Eliminate redundancies.
Remove unnecessary adverbs.
Cut back on excessive use of adjectives.
Change repetitive words.
Remove unnecessary dialogue tags.
Identify purple prose, cliches, and info. dumps.
When appropriate, change “telling” to “showing."
Record with track changes the revisions to the text.
Enter remarks into comment boxes.
Copyediting Again
Perform a scaled-down search for errors that might have been introduced during the line edit.
Delivery
Send the author a version of the manuscript containing track changes. In this document, deleted text can be viewed in a side panel. New text will be appear in blue. (The author can toggle back and forth between a tracked view and a clean view.) As always, the author has the final say; my edits can be reversed or tweaked.
Optional: Send the author a clean copy of the edited manuscript, assuming that all editorial issues have been resolved. No track changes or comments appear on this document.
*All documents are sent as attachments in a single email.
Payment
Email my bill to the author. It contains a link to a PayPal account. Payments can also be made by check.
What’s Not Included
Fact checking is the author’s job.
Developmental editing—big picture stuff—should happen beforehand. That said, I will sometimes offer remarks in that regard.
I do not edit poetry, novels in verse, erotica, and writing that includes nonbinary pronouns. I steer clear of manuscripts that depict gratuitous violence or affirm subject matter contrary to my values.