Copyediting comes after developmental and stylistic (line) but before design and proofreading. 

Right Touch Editing defines copyediting as:

• correcting for errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, style, usage, sentence structure, sentence length, and paragraph length.

It can also include: 

And light fact-checking:

• reviewing easily verifiable facts, such as names, URLs, and dates.

Right Touch Editing follows levels for light, medium, and heavy copyediting as described in The Copyeditor’s Handbook: A Guide for Book Publishing and Corporate Communications by Amy Einsohn.

Light Copyedit

A light copyedit is our lightest touch on a document:

• Ensure consistency in all mechanical matters—spelling, capitalization, punctuation, hyphenation, abbreviations, format of lists, etc.
• Allow deviations from house style if the author consistently uses acceptable variants.

Mechanical editing

• Ensure consistency in all mechanical matters—spelling, capitalization, punctuation, hyphenation, abbreviations, format of lists, etc.
• Allow deviations from house style if the author consistently uses acceptable variants.

Correlating parts

• Check contents page against chapters; check numbering of footnotes or endnotes, tables, and figures.
• Check alphabetization of bibliography or references list; read footnote, endnote, or in-text citations against bibliography or reference list.

Language editing

• Correct all indisputable errors in grammar, syntax, and usage, but ignore any locution that is not an outright error.
• Point out paragraphs that seem egregiously wordy or convoluted, but do not revise.
• Ignore minor patches of wordiness, imprecise wording, and jargon.
• Ask for clarification of terms likely to be new to readers.

Content editing

• Query factual inconsistencies and any statements that seem incorrect.

Permission

• Note any text, tables, or illustrations that may require permission to reprint.

Markup

• Mark up all elements

Medium Copyedit

Mechanical editing

• Ensure consistency in all mechanical matters—spelling, capitalization, punctuation, hyphenation, abbreviations, format of lists, etc.
• Allow deviations from house style if the author consistently uses acceptable variants.

Correlating parts

• Check contents page against chapters; check numbering of footnotes or endnotes, tables, and figures.
• Check alphabetization of bibliography or references list; read footnote, endnote, or in-text citations against bibliography or reference list.

Language editing

• Correct all errors in grammar, syntax and usage. Point out or revise any infelicities.
• Point out any patch that seem wordy or convoluted, and supply suggested revisions.
• Ask for or supply definitions of terms likely to be new to readers.

Content editing

• Query any facts that seem incorrect. Use standard online and printed references to verify content.
• Query faulty organization and gaps in logic.

Permission

• Note any text, tables, or illustrations that may require permission to reprint.

Markup

• Mark up all elements.

Heavy Copyedit

Mechanical editing

• Ensure consistency in all mechanical matters—spelling, capitalization, punctuation, hyphenation, abbreviations, format of lists, etc.
• Allow deviations from house style if the author consistently uses acceptable variants.

Correlating parts

• Check contents page against chapters; check numbering of footnotes or endnotes, tables, and figures.
• Check alphabetization of bibliography or references list; read footnote, endnote, or in-text citations against bibliography or reference list.

Language editing

• Correct all errors and infelicities in grammar, syntax and usage.
• Rewrite any wordy or convoluted patches.
• Ask for a supply definitions of terms likely to be new to readers.

Content editing

• Verify and revise any facts that are incorrect.
• Query or fix faulty organization and gaps in logic.

Permission

• Note any text, tables, or illustrations that may require permission to reprint.

Markup

• Mark up all elements.

Software We Work In

We commonly perform a developmental edit in:

• MS Word — most popular!
• Google Docs
• Quip

Don’t see your software listed? Tell us what program your manuscript is in! We’re experienced in many other programs. 

You can also combine your developmental edit with writer coaching to help you improve your skills and do more of the work on your own.