A BASIC OVERVIEW OF COPYEDITING IN THREE STAGES

Copyediting can be broken down into three stages which occur chronologically. Each stage requires a different amount of time and concentration, and consequently has different pricing. Publishers generally use a different editor for each stage. I am available to do all the stages or any combination of them for you, but please remember that they are distinct parts of the editing process and that I will require a week of eye and brain rest between each one.

1. Development: In this first stage of editing, I will work with you to clear up poor sentence construction, reorganize or rework large blocks of text, pages, or chapters, and I may request further explanation of ideas, further research, precise scripture references, etc. You can think of this as a complete overhaul of your text. After you have responded to the suggested changes, you will be ready to move on to copyediting.

2. Copyediting: Included in this stage of editing are light to moderate syntax and transition issues, awkward sentence construction, mild clarity issues, and/or unnecessary repetition. Word choice, extensive spelling and punctuation errors, subject/verb agreement issues, tense shifts, and other grammatical pitfalls will also land your manuscript here. These are not issues of personal style but of clarity and readability. I will make necessary changes while maintaining your unique voice.

3. Proofreading: This type of copyediting can be thought of like a final run-through. It literally means to read the proof. It is one last check for spelling, punctuation, and light grammar or typographical errors. If your manuscript has already been through the other two stages defined above, it is ready for proofreading.

I know it’s tempting to ask me to let “bigger stuff” go and to skip ahead to the proofreading stage when the text hasn’t been fully developed and copyedited. I cannot do that. If you choose to skip to proofreading before your manuscript has gone through the due diligence of stages one and two (whether with me or other helpers), then you will need to choose a different proofreader. I have too much respect for you and your work, and I have too strong a desire for your valuable ideas to be clear to your readers. Besides, the development and copyediting part of my brain doesn’t have an “off” switch. It is worth the investment in time and money to get it right the first time.

Please contact me at laurie@lauriethornton.com for pricing information.