Editing Services
Editing services for English, Latin, Italian, and Spanish; also English texts containing French and some German content.

​I offer three levels of editing, detailed below: Copy editing, Stylistic editing, and Substantive/Structural editing. Here is a sample of the ways in which I will help you to prepare your text for publication:
​- clarify your writing
- add precision to your language
- ensure correct grammar
- make sure that your punctuation is working for you
- adhere to style conventions
- maintain consistency throughout your text
- check that information is referenced and documented properly
- format references
​- restructure content for flow
"Thank you, thank you, thank you for such a thorough, helpful, and gentle copyedit of my article."
Anne Rubenstein, Professor, History Department, York University

Copy editing

Copy editing  involves editing for correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, and usage;  consistency in the mechanics of style (abbreviations, spelling, capitalization, documentation, quotations, headings, numbers, formatting) and adherence to the publisher's style sheet; accuracy in facts; and completeness (check that missing elements and citations are supplied).

After months or years of research and writing, academic authors often welcome a fresh set of eyes on their work, to catch inconsistencies, oversights, or errors before submitting for publication.  In addition to the corrections mentioned above, as your professional editor I will:

- ensure that all elements in your text adhere to the house style sheet or chosen standard style manual (e.g. Chicago Manual of Style, APA, MLA, etc.)

- ensure that footnotes and bibliography entries are formatted correctly and consistently

- ensure that quotations, translations, and foreign-language content are presented correctly and consistently

- make sure that all headings and titles are formatted and presented consistently, and that they match the table of contents and any cross references

- point out incomplete documentation or lack of citations in support of arguments or quoted material

​- provide you with a style sheet outlining specific style choices made for your manuscript

Stylistic editing

Stylistic editing involves line-by-line editing to clarify meaning; express your message more concisely; improve sentence structure and word choice for greater clarity; reorder sentences for greater coherence;  ensure logical connections and remove jargon.

If stylistic editing is required, I will offer suggestions for rewording and rephrasing. This may include:

- reworking awkward constructions

- replacing overused passive constructions with active verbs

- elevating the level of language and sentence structure for an academic audience

- suggesting more precise words to get your message across more effectively

Substantive or Structural editing

Substantive or structural editing​ involves the reorganization of content and structure. This type of editing involves text at the paragraph or page level, rather than at the sentence level. If substantive editing is required, I will make structural suggestions on how to reorganize material so that the argument presented flows in the most logical and cohesive manner.
​Electronic/online editing using MS Word Track Changes function and Adobe Acrobat Tools & Comment features allows me to collaborate easily and remotely with anyone anywhere in the world. However, if necessary, I can also edit with old-fashioned paper and pencil!
Please see Editors Canada's "Definitions of Editorial Skills" for more details.