This is a meticulous stage. It is a critical stage in the overall editorial process.

Copy editing happens after the structural edits and before the proofreading. A copy editor checks for the mechanics of style, grammar, punctuation, and consistency. Every word within the manuscript requires attention during this level of edit.

The copy-editing stage is when the editor creates a project style sheet. This style sheet works as a reference document for the project and it details the dictionary assigned to the project and the published style manual. It lists style rules that affect the project, like whether to allow or avoid the Oxford comma, number rules, heading rules . . .

Copy editors ask questions like:

• Is this spelled correctly?
• Will the reader understand what the author means by this?
• Is punctuation being used properly? For example, are the en and em dashes used correctly?
• What’s wrong with the following sentence, and how can it be fixed?

I am trained in editing using the Chicago Manual of Style. When you are ready, please send me an email to talk about your manuscript: writingsparklebooks@gmail.com. I believe that each project is unique, and I will provide you with a quote.

You can view the Editorial Freelance Association website for recommended base rates that some editors use. For other information about what editors might charge, you can visit the Editor’s Canada. These are both tools I use when providing your quote.

Here is a sample of a style sheet I created: