Copy editing is the heavy lifting of editing. It is black and white, or right and wrong.

Once your story is finished and absent of plot holes, it flows well, and contains the proper POV — it’s time to send it to a copy editor to ensure the content is polished and ready for publication.

This round of editing focuses on consistency in style and adheres to industry standards.  As your copy editor, I will concentrate on making sure spelling is correct, I will check syntax, peruse for misused words/typos and proper tense is used and consistent.  I am a grammarian and am will thoroughly review and correct grammar and punctuation issues.  My strong background as a researcher will be utilized to fact check and verify if the story is realistically based on how reality works.  I check for consistency, i.e., are the characters, locations, and other details consistent? For instance, is the character blonde on page ten with blue eyes described as a brunette with chocolate brown eyes on page one hundred thirty.  I also will review for spelling inconsistencies, i.e., Email vs e-mail, Bryan vs Brian, John vs Jon.

I will also check for continuity errors or minor plot holes such as the following:

• Location changes (Character is somewhere without explanation)
• Time passes or doesn’t make sense
• Inconsistent characteristics (blond vs brown, character suddenly wears glasses)

As a copy editor, I will also help make clunky sentences flow better.  This service may cost more, but is highly beneficial in helping you tell your story in the best way possible.  It is especially useful if you have not enlisted the help of a line editor.