I provide substantive copyediting (line editing) and light copyediting to academic and trade presses and to professors, scholars, journalists, students, and others contributing to public discourse in the social sciences. I also provide proofreading to publishers. 

 

I have worked for the University of Nebraska Press, Penn State University Press, the State University of New York Press, and Pegasus Books. I've also edited books for publication and/or distribution by Oklahoma University Press and the University Press of Mississippi. I am proficient with various style guides, including The Chicago Manual of Style and the APA manual, and in incorporating house style guidelines.

 

I’m rigorous about meeting deadlines, and I’ll polish the text so your expertise and your style and voice will shine.

 

I will review your manuscript, discuss your project with you, and give you a specific estimate. In most cases, I’ll also provide a free sample edit of about 500 words. This will demonstrate the level of editing I recommend and help you decide whether I’m a good fit for you. When working for an academic or trade press, I sometimes adjust my rates in accordance with a publisher's pay scale.
 

Substantive Copyediting (Line Editing) [starting at $.03 per word]:

In most cases, copyediting is provided after developmental editing has been completed,
and it includes:

• Editing to ensure that grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and style are correct and conform to the style guide (e.g., The Chicago Manual of Style, APA). 

• Revising for consistency in presentation of numbers, hyphenation, and abbreviations

• Fact-checking nonspecialized information (e.g., names and dates)

• Editing the citations/footnotes and bibliography for consistency and conformity to the style guide

• Checking charts, tables, and other graphics for clarity and consistency with the text

• Editing for clarity and consistency

• Improving sentence structure, reducing wordiness, and strengthening the rhythm of the prose

• Ensuring that each paragraph flows smoothly and logically

• Checking for accuracy, precision, and variety in word choices

• Revising, where appropriate, to use active vs. passive voice

• Revising anything else that might distract readers from the text

 

Light Copyediting: You might need less intensive copyediting. After I’ve reviewed
your manuscript, we’ll discuss your editorial needs and I’ll provide an estimate for your
project.
 

Subjects I Edit Include:

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• History

• Government and Politics

• Cultural Anthropology

• Sociology

• Social Psychology

• Psychology

• Civil Rights

• Social and Economic Justice

• Gender and Sexuality

• Disability Issues

• Public Health

• Mental Health and Addiction

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For more information about my professional and educational background, including relevant coursework, please visit About Me or see my LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smw2019.
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