I offer general copyediting and sensitivity reading services. Written works of any length are welcome, including articles, short stories, novels, and nonfiction books.
What is copyediting?
A copyeditor improves both mechanical and narrative clarity in a written work. As a copyeditor, I will:
- Offer suggestions for improved writing
- Alert you to any inconsistencies in the writing
- Include proofreading for spelling, grammar, and syntax of your work
What is a sensitivity read?
If your work features characters or people with diverse backgrounds, especially disabilities, a sensitivity reader can review the manuscript, assessing whether a story represents its characters compassionately, sensitively, and accurately. My expertise in sensitivity reading is related to autism and mental health. My expertise in religion also suits me to provide sensitivity reads related to a range of religious affiliations.
Hiring me for a sensitivity read does not necessarily mean I will also copyedit your work, though I certainly can do that as well.
My philosophy
I am passionate about the written word, and love when I can delve into a text to enhance its readability, lucidity, and storytelling. My editing style provides both gentle critique for important changes and positive encouragement where your writing and description shines.
Integrated into my copyediting practice is increasing the accessibility of written works. As an autistic person, I know first-hand how challenging it can be to read and comprehend literature. I draw upon my knowledge and understanding of autism and other developmental disabilities, both from my own life and from learning from others, to help authors in crafting a written work that is accessible to readers of all kinds, so that reading and learning may be enjoyed by everyone.
Additionally, my autism uniquely positions me to observe, remember, and pinpoint details, an essential skill for any copyeditor.
My credentials and experience
I have B.A. and M.A. degrees in religion. Studying religion in academia involves significant time writing papers, conducting research, and analyzing texts from a variety of perspectives and approaches. This background has prepared me well for work focused on deconstructing and polishing writing. So far, I have performed copyediting and sensitivity reads for numerous published works of fiction.
I am committed to continuing education. I have recently participated in webinars with ACES: The Society for Editors and completed The Keys to Effective Editing course through Seattle Central College.
Disclaimers
As a copyeditor, I am not a designated fact checker for your work. While I might point out content that I believe warrants verification, I do not provide fact-checking as a service. Copyediting is not a developmental edit. While my goal is to provide you with excellent feedback, I cannot guarantee error-free work. Likewise, for sensitivity reads, I cannot guarantee that I will notice everything that could be problematic for all readers. I do not speak for all individuals on the autism spectrum. My agreement to work for you is not a direct endorsement of your work.
Current fees
COPYEDITING AND SENSITIVITY READING
My usual fee schedule is:
Copyedit: $6 per 1,000 words
Sensitivity read: $4 per 1,000 words
Copyedit + sensitivity read: $7 per 1,000 words
Proofreading: $4 per 1,000 words
A technical paper or short story includes a minimum fee of $20.
Articles include a minimum fee of $15.
For websites, I charge a base fee of $30. For high-volume or very low-volume websites, the fee might be adjusted.
Contact me for a time estimate, which can vary based on my availability and the length of your work. For fast turnaround, I may charge a rush fee.
SPECIAL PROMOTIONS (for book clients)
Sample edit
For full-length books, I will perform a free sample copyedit of 15 pages or less.
New client discount
If you are a new client, you will get a 15% discount (excluding rush fees).