Editing fiction is a challenging yet rewarding task. We have spent decades proofreading, evaluating, and copy editing fiction at Book Magic, so we know exactly what to look for.
First, we do the basics. We look for spelling, grammar, and punctuation issues, as well as typos. We not only correct these but also stylize them. Sometimes, editing is a bit like math; a word is either right or wrong. Let’s take the word perpendicular. There is only one way to spell it; if you spell it differently, it will be incorrect. But there are two ways to spell the word heaven or earth (one is by putting the word in lowercase, as I have above, and the other is by capitalizing the term). Neither is right nor wrong; whichever you choose is a matter of style. Same with the term all right. The two-word version is more formal and acceptable; however, many clients prefer the single-word version, alright, which is a perfectly acceptable variation, especially in dialogue.
The same is true of serial commas. Let’s take this: “Steve went to the liquor store and bought wine, beer, and champagne.” That sentence has two commas separating each of the items. It is punctuated using a serial comma, also known as the Oxford comma. Some people don’t like serial commas, so they might write, “Steve went to the liquor store and bought wine, beer and champagne.” Both sentences are grammatically correct, but each uses a different style.
At Book Magic, we consult with clients to determine their preferred style, then create a style sheet to ensure that this type of punctuation or spelling is consistent throughout the document.
We also look at inconsistencies or redundancies in the larger picture. This is easy to do in a novel. You create a character who is a fourteen-year-old nephew in Chapter 2, but suddenly, in Chapter 17, he’s eleven. And there were no time machines involved! We will highlight these inconsistencies and bring them to the author’s attention. Redundancy means that the author may describe a character as devious or underhanded and repeat this five or ten times throughout the book. That’s overkill. We often recommend showing the reader, rather than telling them, that your character is shady.
Last, when we edit fiction, we look at repetitive words. I used “however” about forty times in my first book! I was completely unaware of this until my editor pointed it out. One of my romance writers used the word “steamy” fourteen times in three pages. Our editing staff will bring these issues to the writer’s attention and suggest synonyms for variety.
Proofreading checks for errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. We also flag confusing sentences, request clarification in the margins, and ensure consistency in punctuation and capitalization.
Copy editing includes everything from the proofreading package. In addition, we identify repetitive words, phrases, or ideas and may suggest synonyms or recommend removing specific words or paragraphs altogether. We then standardize all terms to ensure that they are spelled in U.S., Canadian, or UK English and that chapter headings are consistent. Finally, we flag inconsistencies and remove redundant terms so that you have a clean, crisp manuscript.
Copy editing is 2 cents per word.
Proofreading is 1.2 cents per word.
Please inquire about our free sample edits of 500-600 words of text.
