Line Editing and Copyediting
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Services

Copyediting + proofreading

Services offered by Cusick Editing

I provide thoughtful line editing, copyediting, and proofreading to indie authors, publishers, and organizations.

There are myriad terms used to describe the different styles and stages of editing, and if you are new to these terms, trying to decipher the differences among them can seem dizzying. Please review the section below for more detail on different kinds of editorial services, and get in touch if you’re not sure which service is right for your project. Please note that I do not provide developmental editing or manuscript evaluations at this time.

Specialties

literary fiction

historical fiction

Experimental fiction

Novels in translation

cookbooks

Guidebooks


Which type of editing is right for your project?

Editors can work with writers at any stage of the writing process; consider what phase you think you may be in and what kind of input you are seeking and take a look at the types of editing listed below. The different phases of editing typically occur as a series of steps, each one preparing the work for the next phase. For example, developmental or content editing is designed to occur early on, while the fine-tuning processes of line editing and copyediting take place when the content has been ironed out and the manuscript is nearing completion. The final check, prior to publication, is proofreading. Though these many stages might feel arduous and time consuming, working through each phase in turn will ensure the most streamlined transition from manuscript to publication.

Developmental editing

Also known as content editing, developmental editing refers to the developmental phase of a manuscript (hence the name). Developmental editors can review a manuscript at any stage in the writing process, and they often work collaboratively with an author over several drafts. A good developmental editor facilitates and supports the writing process, offering feedback and specific suggestions for the author’s consideration that are in keeping with the author’s style and voice and may help shape the manuscript. The author, of course, retains autonomy throughout the project and may accept or reject any of the editor’s changes and suggestions.

This phase of editing does not address errors in grammar and mechanics; these are checked later in the editing process. Please note that I do not provide developmental services at this time.

Manuscript evaluation

A much lighter version of the developmental edit is the manuscript evaluation: a thorough review of a near-complete manuscript that results in written feedback addressing organization, clarity, consistency, character development, voice, and so on. When you feel stuck in the writing process, or you cannot see your text clearly anymore, this is a great way to get some objective feedback to help you move forward.

Line editing

Line editors evaluate the rhythm and flow of a text, calling out word repetition and repetition in form (e.g., a series of short, choppy sentences) and providing suggested edits to vary the rhythm, when warranted. A line editor may suggest breaking up a lengthy monologue or a dialogue-heavy scene; or, conversely, they may make suggestions for revising a narrative-heavy scene that explains too much to the reader without showing the reader the scene through the character's eyes. A line editor may recommend moving whole lines or paragraphs to amplify a scene or ensure reader comprehension. The goal of a line edit is to tighten and strengthen an author's voice, thus enhancing the experience for the reader.

Copyediting

After you’ve worked with through the developmental phase of a project and refined the prose with a line edit, the next step is to have someone review the text for any errors in grammar and mechanics. A copyeditor also ensures consistency throughout the text; so if you prefer the hyphenated good-bye, for example, even though the primary spelling listed in Merriam-Webster’s is goodbye, or if you want to italicize a character’s inner thoughts, rather than leaving the thoughts in roman, the copyeditor will list your preferences on a style sheet and make sure that every instance is treated in the same manner. Copyeditors also generally perform light fact-checking tasks to ensure proper nouns are spelled and capitalized correctly, dates for significant historical events are accurate, and so on. More rigorous fact-checking may be required for certain texts, such as historical fiction.

Proofreading

Once your text has been copyedited and formatted, a proofreader can ensure consistency of all design elements and correct any remaining errors in grammar and mechanics. This is generally the last step prior to publication.

Cold reading

In some instances, particularly when errors are found at the proofreading stage that may require revisions or rewriting, a cold read may be warranted. A cold read corrects any egregious errors—those that may be noticed by the average reader—to prevent reader distraction.


Choosing the right editor

When you’re ready to hire an editor for your project, you’ll want to evaluate the editor’s skills and experience, certainly, but what may be most critical in your decision-making process is the rapport you have with the editor. Trust your instincts, and ensure you find someone who is communicative, responsive to your inquiries, and demonstrates enthusiasm and curiosity. It’s also common for editors to provide a brief sample edit after reviewing your manuscript, which can help both of you decide whether the match is a good one.

You can learn more about the different kinds of editing services and tasks on the Northwest Editors Guild website or the Bay Area Editors’ Forum, among others. Get a sense of industry-standard pricing for these services from the Editorial Freelancers Association. You can also search for editors on any of these sites, or search for editors groups that may exist in your area.