Does My Novel Need Copy Editing?
If you have story and structure sorted and you just want to look at grammar and corrections then copy editing is what you are looking for.
Most writers come to us looking for copy editing 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 copy edit only as one of the very final stages of editing and usually only if you are planning on self-publishing.
The work our editors do on fiction manuscripts usually goes much deeper than a copy edit. 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 copy edit will look specifically at any areas that need corrections.
- Spelling – typos, mispelling, UK/US
- Grammar
- Punctuation
- Consistency with time, place and character
- Timelines
- Dialogue construction
- Consistency of language use
Fill out the form to find out the cost of a copy edit. You are under no obligation to go ahead and one of our team will be in touch with editor details, current timescales and fees.