Copy Edit
A copy edit is a thorough sweep through the manuscript to polish the readability of your pages. We will look at grammar, punctuation, word usage, structure, and other mechanical errors, as well as ensure consistency, coherency, and clarity within the prose. All edits uphold the rules set forth in The Chicago Manual of Style.
All copy edits include two rounds of edits, an edited manuscript, and a style sheet.
“I can't recommend Mallori enough! She brought an exceptional level of care and detail to my mystery novel, catching everything from inconsistencies to grammatical errors. Her feedback was thoughtful and precise, and she offered suggestions that strengthened my prose while maintaining my voice."
Amelie West, A Clara Dawson Mystery Series
Mechanics Style Sheet
The style sheet is a record of all the mechanical changes made throughout the manuscript. Keeping track of these changes ensures the editor can maintain consistency throughout the entire manuscript!
Edited Manuscript
The most important document in a copy edit is, of course, the manuscript itself! All edited manuscripts will be marked with Tracked Changes so the author has the authority to accept or reject all suggested edits. Nothing will be tweaked without the author's approval.
Two Rounds of Edits
A copy edit requires two rounds of edits so that the finalized version is as perfect as possible. The first round is an intensive sweep of the initial draft, polishing the mechanics of every sentence. Once the editor is done with the initial sweep, the author will accept or reject all changes and have the opportunity to rewrite the prose, as needed. The editor will then do a second and final pass to catch any lingering mistakes in the manuscript.