Editing Services

Copyediting

Copyediting is the most basic and traditional type of editing. The mechanics of written language come first, and editing focuses on correct punctuation, word usage and spelling, and grammatically correct sentences. Tables, graphs, and illustrations must be clearly titled, captioned, and mentioned in the text. References, bibliography, footnotes, endnotes, headings, and table of contents are checked for correlation with each other and consistency with the main text. Style guides are consulted, or created (if none are provided), and followed. Writing that is wordy, unclear, disorganized, or repetitious is flagged, and revisions are suggested. The author may be queried about gaps in logic. In the end, the document will be clear, coherent, easy to read, and suited to the audience. 

Think of the copyeditor as a stand-in for the reader. Writers often are so close to their writing, and understand it so well, they miss the parts where readers may get tripped up or lost; that’s where a copyeditor can help.

Substantive Editing

This type of editing occurs before copyediting and deals with the structure, organization, purpose, and presentation of the manuscript. Substantive editing is used when an author needs to rewrite or heavily revise a manuscript. The substantive editor works with the author to make revisions, rewrite passages, reorganize sections, and adjust tables. If substantive editors have the required background and knowledge, they may advise authors on content, but they will not create original content. Substantive editing is about reworking an existing document that cannot be peer reviewed or copyedited without significant revision. 

For example, think of a research project that is written up by an author whose native language is not English. This author would like to publish the research, but the paper can’t make it through peer review because of language and organizational problems. A substantive edit would solve this author’s problems.

Proofreading

Proofreading always follows copyediting and precedes final publication, so it is one of the last steps in the editorial production process. The final copy is carefully and slowly read word for word, and any typographical mistakes, missing words or word endings, missing numbers, or formatting errors are corrected. Page numbers are cross checked with the table of contents. Proofreading includes making sure the layout (placement of text, tables, images, artwork, captions) is correct. There is no revision of the copy or content in proofreading as there is in copyediting, but if serious copyediting errors are caught, they are corrected. 

Think of it as a final quality check.

Veterinary medical editing is different from traditional editing because it requires knowledge and usage of specialized veterinary medical terminology, and the audience is composed of veterinary professionals. Usually, this type of editing uses the American Medical Association Manual of Style to establish the requirements for the writing, formatting, and presentation. 

Veterinary medical editing is similar to traditional editing in that it also relies on the generalized rules of good developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading. Types of publications (print or digital) include books, professional journals, trade journals, technical communications, and continuing education materials. 

As a veterinarian, editor, and writer, I apply all my areas of expertise to help a veterinary author publish.

It’s always best for us to discuss the project you have in mind so that I can give you an estimate based on the details you provide. However, for those who want to see an approximation of the cost, I suggest referring to the Editorial Rates page on the Editorial Freelancers website. As a member of the EFA, I use this chart as a rough guide for basic fees. Rates can vary considerably between projects as each project is unique.