Services available

I offer copyediting and proofreading services for academic, business, and professional writing. No job is too large or too small; some clients purchase an hour of time for a quick resume polish, while others work with me over the course of a year or two on a dissertation or business plan. In addition to copyediting, I also offer writing coaching and PowerPoint formatting.

I'm well versed in APA, AP, and Chicago styles, and I'm also happy to adhere to your specific school/office/organization/agency style guidelines.

What does a review entail?

My level of editing ranges from basic proofreading (grammar, spelling, punctuation, clarity) to substantive revision (a basic proofread plus heavier editing with an eye for organization, clarity of ideas/arguments, and narrative flow). Substantive edits can also include footnote and endnote editing and formatting, tables of contents/lists of figures and tables, cross-referencing, general formatting, reference verification, fact-checking, and rewriting.

Pricing and payment

I charge a flat hourly rate, prorated in 15-minute increments. The rate is the same regardless of level of editing. For basic proofreading, I generally edit at a rate of 5-10 pages per hour (250 words per page). A more substantial edit takes longer, and I generally edit at a rate of 3-5 pages per hour (250 words per page).

Timekeeping is on an honor system: I track my time by the minute, work as quickly and efficiently as I can, and honor time caps and budgetary concerns. Some clients prefer to set an hour limit up front, in which case I do as much as possible within the allotted time. I keep my clients apprised of their hours and charges -- no surprises. Depending on your project, we can discuss alternate pricing strategies: per page, per project, etc.

All invoices and payments are conducted via PayPal: safe, easy, and free for you. If you're a government agency, small business, or nonprofit, I accept checks or direct deposit as well.

I don't charge for e-mails, initial consultations (to discuss your project and timeline), or basic back-and-forth correspondence over the course of a project.

Contact me for my hourly rate.

Availability

I offer services on a first-come, first-served basis, and my availability varies depending on my current workload. I typically work nights and weekends - perfect for the client who likes to send a product at the end of the business day and have it back in their inbox when they return to the office. And though I may not edit on a traditional 9-5 schedule, I'm available via e-mail and phone just about any time. I strive to offer the quickest turnaround possible, depending on the length of an assignment, lead time, level of effort, and my availability.

The redline process

If I'm editing in Word, I make all changes using the Track Changes function. You can see every last detail and are free to accept or reject any change as you see fit. For more substantive changes or to make recommendations for rephrasing a sentence or reorganizing a section, I'll use the Comments feature. If your product is in another format that does not use Track Changes, I'll work with you to ensure transparency when it comes to my edits.

Editing style

A stickler for details? You better believe it! But not to worry: I wield my red pen with great care and compassion. I know (from experience!) how it feels to pour your heart and soul into a product and turn it over for criticism, and I'm always honored when a client trusts me with their "baby." It's a privilege to have a hand in the largest project of someone's academic career, or a business owner's proposal to an important client, or a congressional office's annual report. I respect the incredibly hard work my clients put into their products before they come to me, and I love being present for those finishing touches.

My job is to make you look your very best on paper.