Levels of Editing
Different projects require different levels of editing. Below are the levels I offer along with a general idea of turnaround times.
Substantive Editing
A substantive edit includes a thorough preliminary edit as well as a second edit after you review the initial changes and resolve any issues that I pointed out during the preliminary edit. During a substantive edit I will fix all small problems and point out bigger ones, suggesting things like areas that could use further explanation or elaboration, places to add or delete material in order maintain reader interest, and gaps in logic or loose ends that need resolution. I also make suggestions for moving, adding, or deleting chapters or paragraphs around to improve reader comprehension or logical flow, and I point out areas that show bias or that might confuse or offend audience members. Once you have had a chance to review the edit and make the suggested changes, I'll read over it again to make sure the changes resolved the issues.
The preliminary edit can take two weeks or longer since I like to give myself time to mull things over after the first read so I can make better suggestions for improvement. The second edit can be done in under a week.
Copyediting
If the edit sounds more involved than what you were envisioning, I also do what I call a copyedit, in which I don't delve as deep into the logic of the text as I would in a full edit. A copyedit is a one-step process: I go through the manuscript and make sentence- and word-level changes to ensure that everything makes sense, maintains consistency, and reads smoothly. I don't suggest bigger changes.
Copyediting can go fairly quickly compared to substantive editing, so I estimate 5 to 8 business days, depending on the length of the project.
Proofreading
Proofreading is a pretty simple process. I go over each typeset page very carefully to fix all lingering typos and mistakes in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting.
A standard proofread will take me no longer than 3 or 4 business days.
Substantive Editing
A substantive edit includes a thorough preliminary edit as well as a second edit after you review the initial changes and resolve any issues that I pointed out during the preliminary edit. During a substantive edit I will fix all small problems and point out bigger ones, suggesting things like areas that could use further explanation or elaboration, places to add or delete material in order maintain reader interest, and gaps in logic or loose ends that need resolution. I also make suggestions for moving, adding, or deleting chapters or paragraphs around to improve reader comprehension or logical flow, and I point out areas that show bias or that might confuse or offend audience members. Once you have had a chance to review the edit and make the suggested changes, I'll read over it again to make sure the changes resolved the issues.
The preliminary edit can take two weeks or longer since I like to give myself time to mull things over after the first read so I can make better suggestions for improvement. The second edit can be done in under a week.
Copyediting
If the edit sounds more involved than what you were envisioning, I also do what I call a copyedit, in which I don't delve as deep into the logic of the text as I would in a full edit. A copyedit is a one-step process: I go through the manuscript and make sentence- and word-level changes to ensure that everything makes sense, maintains consistency, and reads smoothly. I don't suggest bigger changes.
Copyediting can go fairly quickly compared to substantive editing, so I estimate 5 to 8 business days, depending on the length of the project.
Proofreading
Proofreading is a pretty simple process. I go over each typeset page very carefully to fix all lingering typos and mistakes in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting.
A standard proofread will take me no longer than 3 or 4 business days.