Editing and Proofreading Services

All new clients receive a free sample proofread (1,000 words). This ensures we are a good fit.

 

Line Editing

Line editing involves editing content for tone, flow, clarity, and language. Line editing deals with the specific issues at the sentence and paragraph level. This is where I will make sure your manuscript is clear and your writing is correct. It is often called stylistic editing because it focuses on preserving the writer’s style. I will review your writing for:

  • Word use

  • Redundant use of language

  • Filler words and filter phrases

  • Repetition

  • Empty words or phrases

  • Overly wordy sentences

  • Reader flow

  • Ambiguity in meaning

  • Suitable tone

  • Mistakes in grammar

  • Fact-checking

How it works:

All edits will be made to your manuscript using Track Changes in Microsoft Word and using The Chicago Manual of Style.

Cost: $0.018 per word

 

High-Level Proofreading

(Also known as copy editing + proofreading)

This is a combination of proofreading and moderate copy editing. I’ll be a fresh set of eyes looking for the following:

  • Mistakes in grammar, spelling, and punctuation

  • Correcting typos

  • Syntax

  • Some fact-checking

  • Flagging repetition, plot holes, awkward phrasing

  • Flagging continuity problems, ambiguous vocabulary

  • Dialogue punctuation

  • Consistency in spelling, punctuation, font, capitalization, numeration, etc.

  • Formatting issues (quotations marks are facing the correct direction, extra spaces, etc.)

How it works:

All edits will be made to your manuscript using Track Changes in Microsoft Word and using The Chicago Manual of Style.

Cost: $0.013 per word

Basic Proofreading

Basic proofreading is the last (not the only) line of defense for correcting those pesky mistakes. By now, your manuscript has likely been through a line edit, a copy edit, and possibly even a first round of proofreading. I will be looking for:

  • Obvious typos and misued words

  • Missing words

  • Continuity problems (was your MC wearing blue in the paragraph above but is now wearing green?)

  • Consistency in spelling, punctuation, font, capitalization, numeration, etc.

  • Basic formatting issues (extra spaces or tabs, subtitle consistency, etc.)

How it works:

This service includes one editing pass. All edits will be made to your manuscript using Track Changes in Microsoft Word and using The Chicago Manual of Style and Merriam-Webster Dictionary for reference..

** Note: This is NOT a copy edit. If the manuscript has extensive grammar and punctuation issues, you will be charged at the copy edit rate. Please do not request this service unless your manuscript will be copy edited first.

Cost: $0.009 per word

Submission Process

  • Contact me at vb.proofreads@gmail.com with questions or to schedule.

  • I will happily complete a sample edit or proofread (1,000 words or less) to make sure we are a good fit.

  • I require a $150 nonrefundable deposit to hold dates on my project calendar. (For projects under 15,000 words, I require a $75 deposit).

  • If you need to reschedule, the earlier you contact me, the better. I will do my best to work with you, but I cannot guarantee that I’ll have your manuscript returned by the agreed upon date.

  • I will send an invoice for the remaining balance on the date I begin work on your manuscript. Payment is due before I return the first round of edits.

  • Please email manuscripts in Microsoft Word format by our agreed upon start date. All edits are done using Track Changes and comments.