Copy editing considers all the mechanics of style—from spelling, grammar, and punctuation to usage, word choice, and formatting. This is technical, micro-editing with the primary goal of ensuring accuracy, clarity, and consistency. At this stage, I work with the industry-standard Chicago Manual of Style and any style guides provided by the author or publisher in question. My reference dictionaries include the Canadian Oxford Dictionary (for those publishing in Canada), the Merriam-Webster Dictionary (for those publishing in the United States), and the Oxford English Dictionary or Cambridge English Dictionary (for those publishing in the United Kingdom).

What does copy editing cover?

Copy editing corrects spelling, grammar, punctuation, and usage errors while remaining attentive to problems in a manuscript’s word choice, syntax, clarity, and consistency. I supply a style sheet for every manuscript that I copy edit so that the proofreader has a clear guide to work from.

Copy editing is an essential step on the road to publication, but it is NOT the final step. Even after a copy edit, minor errors may still exist in your text. That’s why proofreading is an essential final step.

Is your book ready for copy editing?

If your manuscript’s structure and style are set in stone, it’s time for copy editing. If you still have stylistic concerns, stylistic editing may be more appropriate at this stage.

How much does it cost?

I currently charge between $25 and $30 CAD per 1,000 words, depending on the state of your manuscript. That means a standard novel of 60,000 words costs between $1,500 and $1,800.

If you are interested in working with me, please complete an estimate request and email the first 3 chapters of your book to senicamaltese@gmail.com. If you are inquiring about a picture book, short story, novella, or essay, please send the entire manuscript. To avoid confusion, I ask that you supply your sample within 72 hours of completing your estimate request.