Proofreading & Editing Services
Do you need a proofread? What are the differences between copy editing, line editing and developmental editing? And do you need them?
Dizzy Emu combines the traditions of old school publishing with innovations made possible by the modern revolution of self-publishing. Whether you're a first time author or already well established, a YouTube celebrity releasing an autobiography, a business guru or a world renowned medical expert, we have the publishing packages and the marketing and editing services to suit you and help to make your book a success.
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If you know your book is ready to be published then all you need to do is select one of our publishing packages and we can have it available for sale within days. If, however, you think your book might benefit from some professional assistance, we offer a range of services.
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But what is copy editing? Is it the same thing as line editing? And how does that compare to proofreading? The best way to clarify is to look at some examples. Let’s start with the most common types of edits—the ones you’ll need for almost any piece of writing.
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Line Editing
As the name suggests, line editing deals with a piece of content a single line at a time. Someone doing a line edit will examine your content closely for issues in style and meaning. It’s not a grammar edit but a commentary on how effective your language is. You might see comments like:
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You use this word four times in this paragraph. Consider replacing at least two instances.
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Awkward sentence structure here.
As with any editorial comments, the intention is to help you smooth and tighten up your writing. The more open you can be to the editor’s feedback, the better the final product will become.
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Copy Editing
Like line editing, copy editing focuses on the detailed elements of your writing. That’s why the two often generate confusion. The difference is that while line editing looks at style, copy editing focuses on mechanics. A copy editor will review your manuscript for grammar, spelling, and syntax errors. They’ll look for accuracy as well as consistency—for example, if you spell out “sixty-six” in one paragraph and write 66 in another.
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Developmental Editing
You’ll get two things from a Dizzy Emu developmental edit:
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An editorial report that covers the editor’s overall feedback, including what the editor would change and what they think you should keep.
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An annotated manuscript, where you’ll see the editor’s detailed notes on your original work
For a fiction manuscript, there will be a focus on things like plot, character, and setting. For nonfiction, you’d get feedback on issues like tone and flow. Developmental edits usually happen in the early stages of a manuscript’s development. They give you the chance to fix big-picture issues before you hand the piece over to a copy editor or line editor.
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Editorial Assessment
If your manuscript isn’t ready for a developmental edit but you’d still like some high-level feedback, ask for an editorial assessment. Unlike a developmental edit, an editorial assessment doesn’t usually include an annotation of your manuscript. Instead, you’ll get a letter that’s similar to an editorial report, but even broader in scope. You should submit what you feel is a solid first draft, but don’t worry about making it perfect.
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Format Editing
Format editing is primarily a design process. A format editor will look at your manuscript and check things like margin alignment, font consistency, heading structure, and so on. The format editor keeps your readers from getting distracted by avoidable errors like these, so your message stays front and center where it belongs.
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Proofreading
Proofreading is usually the last stage in editing, and it’s the most detailed. A proofreader will go through your manuscript with a fine-tooth comb to look for spelling errors, typos, grammar mistakes, and so on. It’s the proofreader’s job to make sure you don’t publish A History of the “Untied” States of America. After the proofreader finishes with your work, you’ll get back a marked-up manuscript showing you the amendments and corrections so that you can check them before publication.
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Request a service
Our editors and proofreaders are the best in the business and our rates are among the most competitive.
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Editorial assessment - $7.50 per 1000 words
Combined proofread and format edit - $10.00 per 1000 words
Combined line, copy, developmental and format edit with proofread - $15.00 per 1000 words
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To request a service, email contact@dizzyemupublishing.com