What is copy editing?
Copy editing is like proofreading, but it’s carried out before the mansucript or document is laid out ready to print. As a copy editor, I read over every word and check for spelling, grammar and punctuation issues. I also look for anything else which doesn’t sit right with me. However …
Copy editing is not designed to pick up flaws in the narrative or to identify factual errors. Issues such as these should have been picked up during development edits. However, as a copy editor who has not seen the manuscript before, I may pick up things that have been previously missed as I will be looking at the document with fresh eyes.
What will I copy edit?
- Annual reports
- Biographies (and autobiographies)
- Job ads (you don’t want to put your best candidates off by having a badly written ad!)
- Marketing materials (digital and physical)
- Non-fiction
- Novels
- Position descriptions
- Websites
What don’t I copy edit?
- Academic writing
- Theses
What formats do I copy edit in?
- Word using Track Changes
- PDF using mark-up/comments
- Printed, hand-marked, scanned and emailed back (a surcharge may apply for printing)
- Screenshot web pages with notes added if only minor alterations needed
What are my rates?
As at July 2025 my copy editing rates are generally $0.075 (or 7.5 cents) per word, or $85 per hour including GST. I will usually quote on a per-word basis and then time the job.
If the total time taken times my hourly rate is less than 90% of the cost when using the word count times the per word rate, then you will only be charged the actual time taken.
Please note that I will ask to review the document prior to quoting.