Copy Editing
Light Editing
$35 / hour
- 5-10 pages per hour
- Spelling, grammar, and punctuation
- Ensure consistency
- See more details below
- One MS Word document with changes incorporated, one MS Word document with Track Changes
- (Optional) Convert final clean MS Word document to PDF
Heavy Editing
$50 / hour
- 1-6 pages per hour
- Spelling, grammar, and punctuation
- Ensure consistency
- Eliminate wordiness and inappropriate jargon
- Improve the flow, organization, and overall readability of content
- See more details below
- One MS Word document with changes incorporated, one MS Word document with Track Changes
- (Optional) Convert final clean MS Word document to PDF
Light Copy Editing
(Proofreading)
Closely examining your project for spelling, punctuation and typographical errors. Ensuring readability by assessing verb tense, grammar, sentence fragments, run-on sentences, subject-verb disagreement, misused words (e.g., effect for affect), unnecessary or missing commas, and other usage issues.
- correcting misspellings
- problems with subject-verb agreement
- incorrect verb tense
- unnecessary or missing commas
- unmarked em-dashes and en-dashes
- dangling or misplaced modifiers
- problems with pronoun-antecedent agreement
- misused words (e.g., effect for affect)
- sentence fragments
Heavy Copy Editing
(Substantive)
Includes everything in the the Light Copy Editing. Additionally, concentrate on logical flow, organization, structure, and transition of content. Fix phrasing ambiguities, rhythm, unintentionally repeated verbs, and note awkward phrasing. Focus on your needs for consistency, style, clarity, tone and audience appropriateness.
- improving logic and clarity
- ensure consistent use of passive or active voice
- varying unintentionally repeated verbs
- adding dashes or parentheses to clarify subordinate material
- reducing strings of adjectives or doublings
- replacing indefinite pronouns with clear noun subjects
- defining special terms on first appearance
- cutting wordy sentences
- straightening out logic and connections
- noting awkward phrasing that could be improved
- adding transitions to improve the flow of content
- lengthening or shortening titles for clarity
Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)
How many pages can be done in an hour?
This greatly depends on the condition of the original document. A document with many errors will take longer to edit than one with fewer errors.
For heavy copy editing, a large amount of rewrites per page will dramatically increase the amount of time needed per page.
What is considered a “page”?
A page is the amount of words that will fit on a standard letter size page with a 1-inch margin, double spaced, at 12pt font. Generally, this is approximately 250 words.
What file formats are accepted?
Most common file formats, such as Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx), Rich text format (.rtf), Plain text (.txt).
We will send you the edited file in Microsoft Word format (.doc, .docx).
If your file is in some other format, please convert it into one of the common file formats before sending it.
What do I get back after the copy editing is complete?
One final clean word document with all changes incorporated, and one Word document with all changes and comments highlighted that you can review before accepting changes.
Can I upload multiple files at once?
Yes. On the order page, simply select all the files you need to upload.
Will I be able to speak directly with my editor?
While there is not direct communication with the editor, your brief will serve as guidance and the editor will place comments and suggestions in MS Word Track Changes.
What should I write in my brief to the editor?
Any comments or instructions that can help the editor do a better job. This might include a description of the target audience, problems you are aware of, whether the writer is a native English speaker, preferred spellings or things you want the editor to change (or leave alone).
What types of payment do you accept?
We accept PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.
Do you support multiple iterations?
After the job is returned to you, you can ask the editor to fix things you don’t like. If you rewrite the text or add new content, you would need to create a new job.
Will you guys rewrite a sentence if you find an error or just correct the basic spelling and grammar problems?
Under Light Copy Editing we will just correct basic spelling and grammar. Heavy Copy Editing may re-write a sentence for clarity in addition to basic spelling and grammar.
Do you have a style set to be used, or is this decided by each individual customer?
Style is decided by each customer, or use the brief to the editor to indicate what you want.
Do you check for plagiarism?
No.
Do you check or format references?
No.
What is your code of ethics?
We adhere to a high ethical standard. That means we always strive to provide the highest standard of service, offering educated and well-considered edits and responding quickly, clearly, and courteously to client queries and concerns.
We may refuse to edit material we find personally offensive for any reason. At no time will we insert our beliefs into the author’s work, by modifying text or through marginal comments, or offer commentary that is argumentative or denigrating to the work.
Some kinds of work are by nature outside our ethical code. We will not:
- Provide Heavy Copy Editing on university or school assignments, though we will happily provide Light Copy Editing
- Provide editing for materials that are clearly intended to be deceptive or fraudulent or that appear to be intended to support illegal activities
Is the editor a native English speaker?
Yes.
How secure is my content?
All data between your computer and this site is encrypted, and all data from this site to the editor is encrypted. All of your content is considered strictly confidential per our Privacy Policy.