FAQs
What is a style sheet?
A style sheet is a comprehensive guide that authors, editors, proofreaders, and publishers refer back to throughout the publishing process. Its purpose is to maintain consistency throughout a manuscript.
Style sheets keep track of:
- Spelling
- Punctuation rules
- Numbers/dates
- Symbols
- Permissions/credits
- Footnotes/endnotes
- Bibliography
Style sheets are particularly useful for keeping track of special spellings for things like character or place names.
What's the difference between proofreading and copyediting?
Copyediting includes a much more thorough edit than proofreading. I look for simple things like grammar and spelling, but I will also make comments, ask questions, rewrite sentences, and rearrange for flow.
Proofreading is the very last step in the publishing process; it's only done once an editor has already completed a copyedit. I'm only looking at spelling and formatting here—I won't make any substantial changes in a proofread.
Which style guide do you use?
I edit using the Chicago Manual of Style as a guide.
How long is your turnaround time?
This varies based on project type and complexity, but you can most likely expect a turnaround time of about two weeks for a 10,000 word copyedit. Feel free to reach out with any timeline concerns; I am often able to speed up the process if it's necessary.
What file types do you accept?
Copyediting clients should only send Microsoft Word documents.
For proofreading clients, Microsoft Word is preferred, but PDF documents may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
Is payment taken before beginning an edit?
Yes. For shorter projects (20 pages or less) 50% of the payment is taken before starting and the remainder is to be paid within 30 days of project completion.
For longer projects, clients can opt to pay 20% up front and pay the remainder in smaller installments when checkpoints are reached.
How many passes are included in a service?
Every copyediting service includes two passes. Once you review my first round of edits and accept or deny any changes you'd like, I'll do a second pass over your amended manuscript.
Because of the nature of proofreading, a proofreading service only includes one pass.
For more information about everything included with each service, click here.