People judge poor grammar.

Because people judge you when you use poor grammar, you may need a meticulous editor; well-written documents help establish your professional reputation. As your copy editor, I would check and correct errors in the following categories:

• Mechanics – grammar, punctuation, spelling, and word usage errors
• Clarity – unclear content
• Brevity – wordiness
• Style – inconsistency and adherence to industry style standards
• Audience sensitivity – perceived bias based on gender, cultural, or socioeconomic factors that could potentially impair your relationship with your audience
• Tone – inappropriate tone for the given audience and subject matter

What kind of editing do you want or need?

Developmental Editing: While I read, I consider the big picture and ask many questions, such as: “Is the author’s story clear? Is the message coming across effectively? Does it interest the reader?”

Beta Reading/Manuscript Evaluation:  I read for cohesiveness, readability, and style.

• Standard: Manuscript beta-read and review, after which I submit a completed checklist.
• Advanced: Manuscript beta-read, review, edit, commentary, and checklist

Copy Editing:  I read every line carefully and meticulously, checking for grammar errors, such as errors in punctuation, spelling, verb tense, subject-verb agreement, sentence structure, and sentence fragments. I can indicate the edits/revisions in one of two ways:

• Mark-up Only: I mark the errors, and you make the changes to the text.
• Corrected/Revised: I correct all errors using Word Review Track Changes.

Copy Writing: I add sentences/details/paragraphs AND correct all errors using Word Review and Track Changes. Major revisions/additions are discussed with you, the original author, to clarify the message you want to convey BEFORE I undergo such changes.

Proofreading: This is the last step taken before submission for publishing. This means copy editing has already been done! I check to see if there is anything the previous editing has missed when it comes to punctuation and grammar.

How many pages/words?

In general, a Microsoft Word document typed in Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, double-spaced, contains between 250-300 words per page. The word count changes, of course, if the text is typed in a different font and single-spaced. Editors like 12 pt. font. A 55,000-word manuscript should fill about 200 manuscript pages; 100,000 words would be about 400 pages long.

• 1,000 words = approx. 3 – 4 pages
• 5,000 words = approx.15 – 20 pages
• 7,000 words = approx. 20 – 30 pages
• 10,000 words = approx. 40 pages
• 25,000 words = approx. 100 pages
• 50,000 words = approx. 200 – 250 pages
• 57,000 words = approx. 260 – 300 pages

Perhaps you have a dissertation, a thesis, a grant proposal, or an article for peer review; I can help make sure your paper follows all of the formatting rules required of the entity or authority to whom you will submit your work. Some require APA style; others demand you follow MLA format or AP guidelines; others expect you to use their in-house style guide.

Don’t forget abstracts, Works Cited pages, bibliographies, parenthetical citations, graphs, charts, statistical material, and end notes or references; I make sure your paper meets all format requirements. With open and clear communication, we will clarify the standard expectations and meet, perhaps even exceed them.

Business Editing

In business, first impressions are either gold or coal. People judge you when you use poor grammar; this is true when you speak and especially true when you write. When someone reads your writing, they cannot help but wonder why you did not take time to correct errors in your communication (they are more forgiving when you speak because you do not have the same opportunity to edit what you say as you say it).

Don’t let grammar and sentence structure errors vandalize the reputation you are trying to build with your clients and business partners. Let me take the time you do not have to perfect your business correspondence.

Student Services

Admissions committees for colleges and graduate schools read thousands of application essays; there are some things you can do to make your essay memorable, to impress the committee members with not only your background and knowledge but also your ability to communicate.

I will not write your essay for you, but I will guide you through the process of writing an effective thesis statement with an opening hook that engages the reader; I will help you utilize persuasive strategies as you address your topic to hammer home the message you most want your audience to receive. I will show you how to use transitions to connect ideas within and between paragraphs, and I will ensure that your essay clearly and concisely answers the prompt. When you submit your essay or application on time, you will have a document that is free of errors in format, grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

I have been a high school English and grammar teacher for years. I understand that it can be hard to get started! Let me help you brainstorm and outline your ideas.

Writing an outstanding essay takes time and thought; it is not something that can be done well at the last minute! Therefore, consultations for writing essays must be made at least a week in advance of the time when the paper is due.

Questions?

Have a question? I would love to hear from you; you may reach me at RuthlessRedPenShelley@gmail.com and tell me about your project and what kind of editing you need. I will respond as quickly as I can. If you are not sure, don’t worry; we can determine what is needed together.