Story Galley offers professional copyediting and proofreading for fiction and nonfiction books, helping authors deliver clean, polished, publication-ready manuscripts. Whether your project requires in-depth technical refinement or a final meticulous error check, I deliver detail-oriented editing that protects your unique voice while strengthening your story or core message.
Copyediting
Copyediting is ideal for near-final drafts that need fine-tuning for clarity, consistency, and technical accuracy. It focuses on language mechanics while preserving your distinctive voice and style.
Copyediting includes:
- Refining grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure
- Enhancing clarity, flow, and readability
- Ensuring consistent tone, voice, terminology, and style
- Checking timeline and continuity
- Verifying accuracy and consistency in character, place, and proper names
- Aligning formatting and layout with publishing standards
- Creating a custom style sheet for reference and consistency
Proofreading
Proofreading is the final review phase before publication or submission. It focuses on catching any remaining surface-level errors to ensure your manuscript looks professional and polished.
Proofreading includes:
- Correcting typos and minor grammar errors
- Fixing punctuation, spacing, and formatting issues
- Checking consistency against the established style sheet
Proofreading is best scheduled after copyediting and before your final print, digital, or submission stage.
Not Sure Which Service You Need?
Many authors aren’t sure whether their manuscript needs copyediting or proofreading, and that’s completely normal. I’ll review your project and help you choose the right level of editing based on your draft, timeline, and publishing goals.
What You Can Expect
- An initial consultation to discuss your manuscript and goals
- Clear communication and timely responses throughout the process
- Edits delivered in Microsoft Word using tracked changes
- Margin comments explaining edits when clarification is helpful
- Two files delivered: one marked-up and one clean
- Editing based on The Chicago Manual of Style and Merriam-Webster
- A fast, thorough turnaround with your voice fully intact
Clear, precise editing for every manuscript.
Story Galley 