"I am . . . joined with eleven others in reporting the debates in Parliament for a Morning Newspaper. Night after night,
I record predictions that never come to pass, professions that are never fulfilled, explanations that are only meant
to mystify. I wallow in words."
Charles Dickens, David Copperfield
I record predictions that never come to pass, professions that are never fulfilled, explanations that are only meant
to mystify. I wallow in words."
Charles Dickens, David Copperfield
Wallowing in words has been one of my favorite occupations for as far back as I can remember, which is probably why I love copy editing.
Copy editing occupies a midpoint between editing and proofreading, encompassing aspects of each. The copy editor's main task is to ensure the author ends up with copy that is clear, correct, concise, comprehensible and consistent.
When I copy edit I address the following factors (not a complete list):
Because editing is not a one-size-fits-all task, I often recommend that I perform a sample edit (at no charge) of 1-3 pages from your manuscript or one web page. This allows me to gauge the complexity of the job and, more importantly, gives you a fairly good idea of whether my editing style is right for you and your project.
I work with:
Note:I don't perform developmental edits of fiction, nor do I handle scripts or plays, but my partner at Medusa's Muse Press, Terena Scott, is an excellent developmental editor with a particular predilection for fiction, and a playwright herself.
Her e-mail address is tredart@gmail.com
Getting a Quote:
If you would like a quote, please send an e-mail with the following:
Please note that the minimum turnaround time for a document of fewer than 40 pages is two days, depending on my schedule. If your need is urgent, please let me know and we can discuss possibilities.
Method:
You e-mail me your document (either whole or in parts) in one of: Microsoft Word (.doc), Rich Text (.rtf) or Plain Text (.txt) format.
I mark up your document with corrections, comments, questions and suggestions and return it to you via e-mail. (Hard copy services also available, upon request.)
For more information or to discuss your project, e-mail me at JM.Editing@gmail.com
References available.
Copy editing occupies a midpoint between editing and proofreading, encompassing aspects of each. The copy editor's main task is to ensure the author ends up with copy that is clear, correct, concise, comprehensible and consistent.
When I copy edit I address the following factors (not a complete list):
- grammar, punctuation, syntax , terminology, semantics & spelling
- style & voice
- clarity & flow
- elements that could/should be explored more deeply (this applies particularly to book manuscripts)
- accuracy of content & context
- adherence of text to style requirements
Because editing is not a one-size-fits-all task, I often recommend that I perform a sample edit (at no charge) of 1-3 pages from your manuscript or one web page. This allows me to gauge the complexity of the job and, more importantly, gives you a fairly good idea of whether my editing style is right for you and your project.
I work with:
- book-length manuscripts (fiction, non-fiction, memoir)
- corporate communications (letters to shareholders, internal and external documents)
- web site copy
- academic papers (theses, graduate assignments)
Note:I don't perform developmental edits of fiction, nor do I handle scripts or plays, but my partner at Medusa's Muse Press, Terena Scott, is an excellent developmental editor with a particular predilection for fiction, and a playwright herself.
Her e-mail address is tredart@gmail.com
Getting a Quote:
If you would like a quote, please send an e-mail with the following:
- the total word count of your document or manuscript
- the intended audience or purpose
- a 2-3 page sample from a document or short MS, or a sample chapter of a book-length MS
- your deadline for receiving the edited or proofed document/MS back from me
- the date when you would send me the document or manuscript
Please note that the minimum turnaround time for a document of fewer than 40 pages is two days, depending on my schedule. If your need is urgent, please let me know and we can discuss possibilities.
Method:
You e-mail me your document (either whole or in parts) in one of: Microsoft Word (.doc), Rich Text (.rtf) or Plain Text (.txt) format.
I mark up your document with corrections, comments, questions and suggestions and return it to you via e-mail. (Hard copy services also available, upon request.)
For more information or to discuss your project, e-mail me at JM.Editing@gmail.com
References available.