Copy Editing Services for Academic & Nonfiction Books

I provide copy editing and other editorial services for scholarly and trade nonfiction, from manuscript development through final proofreading. I specialize in the humanities and social sciences, with particular expertise in complex, argument-driven writing.

WHAT I OFFER

Copy Editing

Editing for clarity, consistency, accuracy, and correctness while preparing a manuscript for publication, with a special focus on:

Grammar, punctuation, syntax, and usage
Consistency in style and presentation(e.g., Chicago Manual of Style, APA)
Clarity and readability
Citations, notes, references, and bibliographies
Adherence to house style and major style guides, including Chicago and APA
Queries on unclear, ambiguous, or potentially inaccurate passages

Best for: Completed drafts ready for polishing before submission or publication.

If your manuscript is complete and ready to be prepared for submission or publication, copy editing is usually the appropriate next step.

Line Editing

Editing for style, flow, and readability, with a special focus on:

Line editing includes copy editing as part of a more intensive sentence-level edit, with additional attention to style, flow, and readability.

Sentence-level refinement
Elimination of wordiness and repetition
Improved rhythm and readability
Consistency of voice and tone

Best for: Strong drafts that need smoother, more effective prose.

If your ideas are solid but the writing sometimes feels dense, awkward, or difficult to follow, line editing can help.

Light Developmental Editing

Feedback on argument, structure, and organization without the extensive restructuring associated with a full developmental edit:

Strength and clarity of argument
Organization of chapters and sections
Logical flow and coherence
Identification of gaps and weak points

Best for: Early- or mid-stage drafts that need structural or conceptual work.

If you’re unsure whether your argument holds together—or if feedback has raised concerns about structure or clarity at a higher level—this is likely the right level of support.

Proofreading

Final review before submission or publication, with a special focus on:

Typographical errors
Minor inconsistencies
Formatting issues

Best for: Publication-ready manuscripts or proofs.

If your document is essentially complete and you just want to ensure it’s clean and error-free, proofreading is the final step.

Publishing Support

Help with preparing work for submission and publication, with a special focus on:

Manuscript preparation
Citation and reference formatting
Style sheet development
Conformity to publisher or journal guidelines
Editorial support during revisions

Best for: Authors submitting to journals or scholarly presses.

If you’re preparing a submission or revising in response to peer review and want a second set of experienced eyes, I can make the process smoother.

Not Sure What You Need?

I’m happy to review a sample and recommend the level of editing that would be most useful.

Process

Inquiry: You send details about your project.
Assessment: I review a sample and provide a quote.
Editing: I edit the manuscript in Microsoft Word using Track Changes and provide editorial queries as needed.
Follow-up: I address questions, clarifications, and final edits.

Who I Work With

University and scholarly presses
Trade and independent presses
Academic authors
Nonfiction writers

Get in Touch

If you’d like to discuss your project, feel free to reach out. I will review a sample and provide a quote, along with a recommendation for the level of editing that would be most useful.

My goal is to strengthen your work while respecting your voice and intentions, helping ensure that your ideas are expressed with clarity, precision, and coherence.