Strunk Your Stuff
Copyediting and Proofreading
Linda LiDestri
Editorial Services
copyediting
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My goal is to produce clean and polished copy without changing the voice or intent of the author.
I correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and usage. Is it affect or effect? Compose or comprise? That or which? Oxford comma, yea or nay? As I fine tune, I am also ensuring that the manuscript makes sense. I'm on the lookout for clarity and consistency in your copy.
Copyediting involves a minimum of two reads through the manuscript. Changes are made to copy using the agreed upon style.
Which Style Guide? I Got This
The Chicago Manual of Style, 16th Edition, is the book I'm most often asked to use as a guide. I am glad to use any house style. I can also edit according to APA, MLA, AP, the Gregg Manual, and even the creaky, old, yet still wonderful Words into Type.
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Proofrading
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Proofreading pages requires a different skill set. At this point in the production process, I am zeroing in on typos as well as orphans, widows, proper word division, and stacked elements.
Consistency and attention to detail are equally important when looking at the book as a whole. Are your chapter numbers in order? Are the heads the correct size and font? Are drop caps and folios in place? And so on.
Digital Copy? Hard Copy? Can Do!
For digital copy I can work in Word with Track Changes or Adobe Acrobat. Prefer paper? My pencils and Post-Its are at the ready.