COPYEDITING
Once your story’s structure is strong, the final step is polishing your prose. Copyediting ensures your manuscript is clean, consistent, and professional — ready for agents, publishers, or self-publishing.
What Copyediting Covers
Grammar, punctuation, and spelling corrections.
Consistent style and usage across the manuscript.
Sentence-level adjustments that smooth flow and improve clarity — while always respecting your voice.
Elimination of distracting errors so readers can fully immerse in your story.
Who This Is For
Writers who have already worked through developmental editing or revisions.
Authors preparing manuscripts for agents or self-publishing.
Anyone who wants their story presented at a professional standard.
What You’ll Receive
A manuscript free of distracting errors.
Improved clarity and readability without altering your natural style.
A style sheet that tracks decisions for consistency.
Confidence that your prose is polished and publication-ready.
Why It Matters
A compelling story deserves a clean presentation. Copyediting ensures nothing distracts readers from the heartbeat of your words.
Ready to polish your manuscript?
FAQs
Do I need developmental editing first?
Ideally, yes. Developmental editing looks at the big picture — plot, characters, and structure. Copyediting comes afterward, once your story foundation is solid, to polish the prose itself
What’s The difference between copyediting and proofreading?
Copyediting improves clarity and ensures accuracy — grammar, punctuation, spelling, and consistency — with light adjustments to smooth flow. Proofreading happens last, after typesetting, to catch small typos or formatting errors..
Do you offer proofreading?
Proofreading is the very last stage after typesetting and formatting — catching typos, spacing, and layout errors. I don’t currently offer proofreading, but I can recommend trusted proofreaders if you need one.
Will you change my writing style?
No. My edits are designed to preserve your unique voice. I’ll make corrections and clarity adjustments, but your style remains intact.
Can you work on any genre?
Yes, I edit across all genres of fiction, though my specialties are speculative, science fiction, fantasy, dystopian, historical, literary, and YA.
Is copyediting included in developmental editing?
No — developmental editing looks at the story level, not grammar or sentence polish. Some writers choose to combine services, but many do developmental editing first, then return later for copyediting.
Do you edit nonfiction?
My primary focus is fiction, but I do occasionally copyedit nonfiction projects — especially those with a narrative or storytelling element. If you’re unsure, send me a message with details about your manuscript.
How polished will my manuscript be after copyediting?
Copyediting ensures your prose is clear, consistent, and professional. While no edit can guarantee a 100% error-free manuscript, it will be ready for querying, publishing, or your final proofreading pass.
Does copyediting include formatting for submission or self-publishing?
Copyediting focuses on grammar, punctuation, and consistency at the sentence level. While I ensure your manuscript is consistent in style and presentation, I don’t provide full formatting or design services. If you need help with submission or publishing formats, I can point you toward resources.
Still wondering if this is right for you? That’s completely normal. Send me a message and I’ll be glad to help you decide.
Every story has a heartbeat. Let’s find yours.
About Elizabeth Pettersson
I’m a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor and Writer’s Digest award-winning author, publishing fiction under the pen name E.A. Carter. I specialize in speculative, science fiction, fantasy, dystopian, historical, literary, and YA fiction. My approach blends kindness, clarity, and actionable feedback to help writers uncover both the structure and the heartbeat of their stories.
Note: Billing is issued under my legal name, Jeannine Elizabeth Pettersson. All editorial services are provided as Elizabeth Pettersson.
