Get Ready to Press "Publish" with Copyediting
Your book has been mined, cut, and crafted into a beautiful gem . . . but even the most brilliant diamonds need polishing before being worn.
That’s where a copyedit from Jeanette the Writer will help.
As a freelance copyeditor, I will examine multiple aspects of your manuscript, aiming to . . .
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Save Syntax: Sometimes the rhythm of the text can be improved by changing the syntax (word order) to ensure the intended feeling comes across.
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Assassinate Ambiguity: Vague or confusing sentences are flagged to assist with clarity of meaning.
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Eradicate Errors: Incorrect facts and continuity issues pull a reader out of the manuscript; I ensure the reader is focused on the story.
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Revamp Readability: I may adjust word choice and formatting decisions to enhance the readability of the text for your intended audience.
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Correct Commas: Yes, corrections for spelling and punctuation are made by moving commas, replacing hyphens with em dashes, etc.
That’s a lot, and now you may be wondering . . .
Looking for changes to wording, voice, and flow? Try Line Editing.
What Is the Copyediting Process?
It all starts with a dream . . . JK, it starts with your completed manuscript. I only accept manuscripts that have been through several rounds of self-editing or have been worked on by a developmental or substantive editor. I work on genres including fantasy, science fiction, historical, literary, romance, memoir, and nonfiction (please no horror, poetry, or picture books).
*NO first draft is ready for copyediting without more work.*
Once we connect, I will want to see the five “best” (where you feel most confident in the writing) and five “worst” (where you feel least confident in the writing) pages from your manuscript. Reviewing these will help me determine your:
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Scope of work (what and how much I will do to the manuscript)
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Timeline (how long it will take)
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Investment (generally priced per word)
If we decide to work together, we’ll start with a simple contract and a down payment to get you on the schedule.
From there, the process looks like this:
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You send me the manuscript
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I spend several weeks making multiple passes over the text
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You receive the manuscript back to make any final changes
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I perform a final “cleanup” before returning it, along with the style sheet
It’s that simple!
Ready to get started?
I’ve hired Jeanette to copyedit myriad manuscripts for clients across various genres, and I’ve found her work ethic, attention to detail, and communication with authors to be excellent. Everyone enjoys working with Jeanette, and I highly recommend her copyediting services.
Erin Brown, Former Executive Editor of Greenleaf Book Group
I want to give a big shoutout to Jeanette Smith, my book editor. The magic she did on the words of my manuscript "Say Yes to your YES" is just mindblowing. She made everything feel more smooth, fluid and powerful. Jeanette made the experience or reading this book feel like the wave of the ocean gentle flowing in and out, effortlessly. I'm so grateful to you Jeanette.
Jennifer Jane Young, Author of Say Yes to Your YES
I was introduced to Jeanette through my publisher. She was hired to copyedit my first novel, and she made the experience so easy and pleasant, and did such an amazing job, that I hired her to edit my second novel. I've worked with other freelance editors, but after working with Jeanette, I won't go to anyone else. I call her my eagle-eyed copyeditor because this woman misses NOTHING and has honestly saved me from grotesque public humiliation more times than I can count.
In fact, I guarantee she has found seventeen issues just reading this recommendation, and I adore her for it. She's extremely thorough, knowledgeable, and just an all-around nice person. My favorite thing about her, though, is that she actually remembers my characters and story when I talk to her, even a year later. She pays attention and retains things that are very important to me and then uses that to make my books better, treating them as if they were her own. I always know my book is safe and cared for with Jeanette. Best copyeditor ever!
Michelle Reardon, author of Flight of the Monarchs and Catch the Wind
