Copy Editing

THE SERVICE

Copy editing is the edit pass that focuses strictly on spelling, grammar, punctuation, and style (Chicago, APA, AP,etc.). To put it simply, copy edits tackle all the technical elements that give you flashbacks to grade-school English classes.

With books, a copy edit is done after content edits and revisions have been completed, granted the author chooses to follow the traditional editorial process. Many writers forgo the content edits and go straight into copy edits with their drafts, though it's not the ideal route to take. We understand that editing is a financial investment, and that is often a key factor in this choice; however, whether content edits are done with DVE or with another editorial company, it is always recommended to do at least one content edit pass on a manuscript before going into copy edits. It's how to ensure the end product is the very best it can be.

For non-book projects (e.g. copy decks, manuals, thesis papers, resumes, etc.), a copy edit can be done at any time.

THE RATES

Copy editing rates are invoiced by the hour, based on the difficulty of the project, the requested turnaround time, and the heaviness of the edit (light, standard, heavy, extra heavy), as well as the type of project. Copy edits with DVE can also be customized to include minimal line edits or developmental comments. This is what we call an extra-heavy copy edit.

Fees are quoted based on a review of sample materials (DVE will request specific materials dependent upon the type of project you'd like quoted), as well as information such as type of project, genre, word count, turnaround time, and more. After our review, we will then provide a potential client with a quote based on those sample materials, which will include an overall assessment of the work we believe the project will need, how long it might take, and our estimated fee.

Common rate ranges for copy editing are noted below. Estimated paces reflect 250 words per page, which is the industry standard.

Please note: Double Vision’s rates are based on the standard rates set by the Editorial Freelancers Association.

Basic

$32-$35

Hour

Estimated pace: 8-13 pages per hour

Standard

$35-$39

Hour

Estimated pace: 7-10 pages per hour

Heavy

$39-$45

Hour

Estimated pace: 5-8 pages per hour

Extra Heavy

$42-$55

Hour

Estimated pace: 4-6 pages per hour

Basic

$30-$40

Hour