My primary focus is Developmental Editing (aka Substantive Editing). To ensure I am the best fit for your needs lets look at the types of editing all manuscripts require.
Proofreading
This is the lightest level of editing. The focus is on correct grammar, spelling errors and punctuation errors. A proofreader does not attempt to improve readability. This service is best for someone who has a strong grasp of English and only needs to ensure a clean, error-free document.
Copy Editing
If you want assistance with readability, then copy editing is the correct service for your needs. A copy editor works on improving hard to understand sentences so your message comes through clearly. Occasionally, this can lead to an inadvertent change in meaning. Expect this to happen. Work with copy editor to revise again so the meaning comes through accurately. Getting angry is a waste of your energy. Rather consider the change in meaning an opportunity to improve structure so your message is clearer than it was before.
Developmental Editing – Substantive or Heavy Editing
This is the most intensive level of editing. This is the type of editing I perform when a client comes to me with a manuscript that needs major revisions in order to become marketable.
Most clients who require developmental editing already recognize their need. The one exception in my experience involved a manuscript which came to me after three prior edits. It was apparent that this client had wasted his money on proofreading and copy editing services, when the real need had been assistance with the development of the manuscript itself.
This is why I always recommend a manuscript review. For small documents, I can usually tell within a few paragraphs which editing service is the best fit for your needs, thus I don’t charge for looking at a client’s short document. Manuscripts require a more thorough evaluation. For this reason, I charge for review services.