Most writers come to us looking for a copyedit for their work, but, as the editor goes through the work, it usually becomes apparent that they need a line edit or a manuscript appraisal. We would recommend a copyedit only as one of the very final stages of editing.

The work our editors do on fiction manuscripts usually goes much deeper than a copyedit. That, we think, is the very nature of fiction editing. It is difficult to just look at grammar and spelling when there are other areas that need addressing - especially if this is the first round of editing for the manuscript. So, if this is your first round of editing, but story and structure are in place, you might want to take a look at the line edit.

A copyedit will look at any areas that need correcting rather than the subjective edits of line editing.

• Spelling - typos, mispelling, UK/US
• Grammar
• Punctuation
• Consistency with time, place and character
• Timelines
• Dialogue construction
• Consistency of language use