Language Editing

Is your draft complete and ready for careful, sentence-level refinement? Language editing focuses on the mechanics of your writing so your manuscript reads smoothly, clearly, and consistently.

Language editing looks closely at grammar, syntax, punctuation, spelling, usage, and style so your words can do their best work. This service is ideal for writers who are ready to polish their pages before querying, pitching to agents, or moving toward publication.

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Copyediting

Is your manuscript ready for a detailed polish? Copyediting focuses on the technical side of your writing, helping your manuscript become clearer, cleaner, and more consistent.

Feedback will include:

  • A close review of grammar, syntax, usage, punctuation, capitalization, hyphenation, abbreviations, and formatting.
  • A markup of your manuscript using Track Changes and Comments in Microsoft Word.
  • Queries and comments where something is unclear, inconsistent, or needs a closer look.

You will receive:

  1. An editorial letter describing my feedback and any overarching patterns.
  2. A style sheet.
  3. A copy of your manuscript marked up with Track Changes and Comments in Microsoft Word.

This service is priced between 2 and 3 cents per word, depending on the level of copyediting needed.

Read more about Copyediting in my blog.

How I Price Copyediting

Copyediting is priced based on the level of work your manuscript needs. Most projects fall between 2 and 3 cents per word, and I’ll always talk with you about the best fit for your manuscript before we begin. If you are unsure which level your manuscript needs, that is exactly what I am here to help with. Together, we will look at your project and determine the level of support that will best serve your goals, your timeline, and your readers.

Light Copyedit

Best for manuscripts that need a careful polish for clear errors and a light editorial hand.

This level includes:

  • Correcting indisputable errors in grammar, syntax, and usage.
  • Pointing out wordy or convoluted areas.
  • Querying inconsistencies or statement that seem incorrect.

Medium Copyedit

Best for manuscripts that need a deeper level of sentence-level support and more collaborative edit.

This level includes:

  • Correcting all errors in grammar, syntax, and usage.
  • Pointing out wordy or convoluted areas.
  • Supplying suggested revisions.
  • Querying factual inconsistencies, statements that seem incorrect, and faulty organization or gaps in logic.

Heavy Copyedit

Best for manuscripts that need the most hands-on sentence-level revision and a more intensive editorial pass.

This level includes:

  • Correcting all errors and infelicities in grammar, syntax, and usage.
  • Rewriting wordy or convoluted patches.
  • Verifying and revising facts that are incorrect.
  • Querying or fixing faulty organization and gaps in logic.

Proofreading

Has your manuscript already been edited and now needs one final careful pass before publishing? Proofreading is the last check for consistency, accuracy, and mechanical errors.

Feedback will include notes on:

  • Adjusting formatting for consistency and overall style.
  • Checking for and fixing minor mechanical errors, including issues within elements such as headings.
  • Noting any areas that still seem unclear.

You will receive:

  1. A copy of your manuscript marked up with Track Changes and Comments in Microsoft Word.

This service is priced at 0.8 cents per word.

I carefully read every word of your document to check for and fix grammar, spelling, punctuation and consistency issues. My goal is to help your manuscript feel polished, professional, and easy for your reader to move through.

I work with individual authors and business owners, but I have a special place in my heart for fiction, especially thrillers, fantasy, and memoir. I am also happy to consider projects outside those genres. I do not work with stories that contain horror or gore.

Still Not Sure?

If you’re unsure whether copyediting or proofreading is the right next step, I recommend reading my posts on Understanding Different Types of Editing and Why Editing Isn’t Just about Grammar. You’re also welcome to reach out for a 15-minute Discovery Call so we can talk through what would be the best fit for your project.

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FAQ

What style guide do you use?

I have training with the Chicago Manual of Style and experience with APA style as well. I can also work with other style manuals and in-house style guides as needed.

What markup tools are used?

I use Track Changes and Comments in Microsoft Word. I add comments and queries throughout the text as I work so you can reply to them or address them when you receive the file. Want to know more about how to utilize these tools, read my blog here.

What type of files do you work with?

I work with Microsoft Word files.

What is the standard format for a manuscript?

Letter sized paper, 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced text, 1″ margins. This creates an average of about 250 words per page. Please format your documents in this format when sending them to me.

How will we communicate while working together?

I am comfortable communicating by phone, email, or video call, depending on what feels most comfortable for you. For many projects ,email works well for updates and quick questions, and we may use a phone or video call for the initial consultation or collaborative check-ins.

Testimonials

“Stephanie Wheeless delivers what she promises—a thorough review of your materials that achieves the highest quality final product. I highly recommend her as a copy editor.”

– Stephanie Wright, Author

“I’m very grateful to know Mrs. Wheeless, she is my life savior from now on. I am the owner of a little bakery, English is not my first language which makes it difficult for me to communicate with people in an effective and clear way. My goal is to send a clear message through words to our customers so they can relate with us. Here is when Mrs. Wheeless comes to play such an important role, besides I am learning from her as well while working together. So grateful for her professionalism, knowledge, support and presence in my business communications journey if you will. Thank you very much, Claudia”

– Claudia Glazier, owner of Buttery Baking House

“Stephanie Wheeless is a marvelous editor. Her attention to detail, and syllables, proved invaluable to me. Stephanie is supportive, professional, witty, patient and understanding. She edited an academically demanding fellowship submission and put this new writer at ease. I am delighted to report that I look forward to working with Stephanie again soon. With Stephanie’s expert guidance I was proud of my submission. Thousands of writers apply for this fellowship. It is awarded to 5 each year. My goal was to submit my application and without Stephanie’s editorial assistance I am certain I would still be tinkering with page 3.”

– Susan Cohn, author

“My experience with Stephanie was first rate. What began as an editorial project soon morphed into a book coaching relationship. I am certain that I would not have applied for this fellowship without Stephanie’s guidance. She is so through that she read the books I use as foundational so as to better understand the structure of my book.”

– Susan Cohn, author 

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