Copyediting: Copyediting ensures your manuscript is clear, consistent, and professionally polished from beginning to end. This detailed, line-by-line review strengthens readability while preserving your unique voice.
This level of editing includes:

• Correction of grammar, punctuation, and spelling
• Refinement of awkward or repetitive phrasing
• Improvement of sentence clarity and flow
• Consistency in tone, terminology, and formatting
• Proper dialogue structure and punctuation
• Basic fact and continuity checks

Copyediting requires careful attention and sustained focus to maintain accuracy and cohesion throughout your manuscript so your readers can focus on your message, not mechanical distractions. For Christian writers, I also check Bible verses to ensure they are correct and point out any potential legal liabilities we come across to help ensure your manuscript does not libel others.

Substantive / Line Editing:
Substantive (line) editing is an in-depth review of your manuscript that strengthens clarity, structure, and overall readability. In addition to correcting grammar and mechanical errors, this level of editing focuses on how your message is communicated sentence by sentence and paragraph by paragraph.
This process includes:

• Refining sentence structure and flow
• Eliminating redundancy and unnecessary wording
• Correcting run-on or fragmented sentences
• Improving clarity and precision of language
• Ensuring consistency in voice, tone, and character portrayal
• Identifying logical gaps or areas needing clarification
• Reorganizing sentences or paragraphs when needed for stronger readability

Substantive editing enhances both the strength and coherence of your manuscript while preserving your unique voice. For most authors, this is the ideal starting point before moving to final copyediting or proofreading.

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Light Proofreading: Proofreading is for documents that have already been edited. In proofreading, I read the entire manuscript carefully, looking for the smaller things that have slipped through previous stages of editing, such as fixing grammar and punctuation, adding missing words, correcting spelling errors, and ensuring consistency. No content restructuring or rewriting is included.