Benefits of Hiring an All-in-One Line and Copyeditor

As an independent author of fiction, you have a lot of control over your writing process. You can decide when to write, how to write, and what to write. But one crucial task you simply cannot do effectively is edit your own work objectively. This isn't a reflection of your talent; it's a matter of proximity and specialized knowledge. Having lived with your manuscript for months or years, your close familiarity allows your mind to predict and interpret intent, making you less likely to catch inconsistencies, repetitive phrasing, and accidental plot holes. That's where professional freelance line and copyeditors come in. We bring the industry knowledge, training, and objective distance required to ensure your prose is not only technically polished and stylistically consistent but is also marketable and aligned with current publishing standards.

Line editors are professionals who can help you improve the quality of your writing. They can catch errors in style, such as awkward or confusing sentences. They also look for errors in content, such as factual inaccuracies or inconsistencies. Beyond the line-by-line critique, they also focus on improving the clarity and overall flow of your writing, sometimes by suggesting structural changes like moving a line of text for better pacing.

Line editors make corrections where the following errors are concerned.

· clichés

· idioms

· sentence structure

· word redundancies

· ambiguity

· inconsistencies in verb tense

· active versus passive voice

· subject-verb disagreements

· instances where a synonym should be used to show instead of tell

· instances where mood and tone could be improved upon

· smooth transitions between sentences, suggesting rewording if choppy

Copyediting is the process of reviewing a piece of writing for errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and yes, style too. Copyediting is not just about catching errors, though. It is also about making sure that the writing is clear, concise, and easy to read. A good copyeditor will make sure that the writing is free of jargon and that the ideas are presented in a logical order.

Copyeditors make corrections where the following errors are concerned.

· spelling

· incorrect or misplaced punctuations

· grammar

· run-on sentences

· subject-verb disagreements

· missing words

· capitalization misuse

· dangling and misplaced modifiers

· word usage

· pronoun-antecedent disagreements

· pronouns with essential and nonessential clauses

· verb tense shift

· syntax

Line and copyediting are equally important because they can help to ensure that a piece of writing is strong, accurate, and unambiguous.

Finding a US English editor who is proficient in providing line and copyediting at once can be daunting, but in doing so, you could save money. Plus, you’ll get the added benefit of working with only one editor instead of multiple.

With that said, I happen to be a skilled line and copyeditor. If you’re looking at both of the lists above, and you’re thinking, It would great to hire just one editor who looks for all of those things at once, here I am!

Do you remember when I said you could save money by hiring an editor who is proficient in providing line and copyediting at once? Well, the majority of editors base their pricing on the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) rates, including me. But, by hiring me to provide line and copyediting at once, you have the potential to save $2,000.

Average Rates for US English Line and Copyediting per the EFA:

​Service(s)	​Price	​Word Count	Total
​Line Editing	​$.04/word	80,000	$3,200
Copyediting	$.02/word	80,000	$1,600
		Total Cost:	​$4,800

My Rates for US English Line and Copyediting:

Service(s)	Price	​Word Count	Total
Line & Copyediting	​$.035/word	​80,000	$2,800

Since the fantasy genre is my specialty, and fantasy novels can be upwards of 150,000 words, fantasy authors can save nearly $4,000 by hiring me for line and copyediting.

If you're serious about publishing your work, hiring a line and copyeditor is a wise investment, and hiring me is an even wiser investment. I can help you create a professional-quality book that your readers will enjoy at an affordable rate.

If you are interested in learning more about my editing services, please contact me today. I would be happy to discuss your project and provide you with a free consultation.

Curious about the quality of my work?

I’ve provided line and copyediting for many of my clients, and their novels have succeeded in the marketplace. They have great reviews from Blue Ink, Kirkus, Readers' Favorite, and more. You can also read their testimonials of my editorial services here.

These photos are solely for reference purposes. Links to each review can be found above.

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Contact me today at thewerdnerdediting@gmail.com.

I look forward to hearing from you!

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Erika M. Weinert is a line and copy editor of fiction who lives in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) and is an active member of the Northwest Editors Guild—a regional, industry-specific association of editors. She mentors fledgling editors through the guild and on her own. When she’s not providing literary and business editing services to her clients and mentoring, Erika can be found at home with her wonderful husband and their precious daughter, whom they brought into the world the same year they were married, 2008. Erika treasures her family—including their two cats—and her career above all else.