Copy Editing

Updated June 2025

What Is Copyediting?

Copyediting is the meticulous final polish that refines grammar, usage, spelling, punctuation, and consistency. Unlike line editing—which focuses on style and flow—copyediting ensures every sentence is technically correct and aligned with your chosen style guide. Your editor works line by line to correct errors, smooth out inconsistencies, verify facts, and prepare your manuscript for publication—all while preserving your unique voice.

Want to see how copyediting fits into the editing process? Learn about line editing here.

Why This Stage Matters

Even the most engaging story can lose credibility if readers stumble over typos, inconsistent capitalization, or shifting timelines. Copyediting removes those distractions so your writing feels professional, polished, and ready to share. This stage also enforces stylistic coherence and continuity, giving agents, reviewers, and readers confidence in your work.

What a Copy Editor Looks For

Throughout the process, your editor checks sentence structure, verb tense consistency, subject–verb agreement, and precise word choice. They also confirm continuity—names, dates, and locations—while standardizing capitalization, abbreviations, and numerals to match your preferred style guide. When necessary, your editor performs light fact-checks and flags any passages that may need clarification or citation.

Curious whether you’re ready for this step? Explore developmental editing if you need big-picture help first.

What You Take Away

You’ll receive a manuscript with every change tracked: punctuation fixes, tightened sentences, consistent headings, and standardized references. An accompanying style sheet records your spelling and hyphenation preferences, character and place names, and any special formatting details. This single reference point makes future proofreading or updates easy and consistent.

How the Process Works at Authors’ HQ

Begin by selecting a copy editor from our roster, or ask us to recommend professionals who fit your project. If you’d like to compare styles, you can request short sample edits before deciding. Your chosen editor contacts you directly to discuss goals, timeline, and scope, and provides a clear quotation. All file exchanges, approvals, and payments happen transparently between you and your editor, giving you full control every step of the way.

Editors You Can Trust

Our copy editors have refined best-selling thrillers, peer-reviewed academic monographs, and high-profile business books—ensuring every comma, citation, and capital letter meets professional standards. Their familiarity with Chicago, AP, and other major style guides, combined with years of hands-on experience, means your prose emerges error-free, consistent, and easy to read without losing the voice that makes it yours.

When you choose copyediting at Authors’ HQ, you’re partnering with meticulous professionals dedicated to preparing your book for confident publication.

Quick Answers

Will copyediting change my writing style?

No. The goal is to strengthen clarity and consistency while preserving the tone and cadence that define your voice. You review every tracked change and accept only those you approve.

Which style guides do you follow?

Editors are fluent in The Chicago Manual of Style, AP Stylebook, New Hart’s Rules, APA, and MLA. You can specify a guide—or a custom house style—when you book.

Does copyediting include proofreading?

Copyediting corrects most mechanical issues, but a final proofread is strongly recommended to catch any lingering typos that can appear during layout or last-minute revisions. Learn more about proofreading services here.

Who This Service Is For

Copyediting is ideal if you’ve completed all developmental and line revisions and want a final professional check before publishing or submitting your manuscript. Whether you’re preparing a novel, memoir, or nonfiction book, copyediting ensures your work is accurate, polished, and publication-ready.

Ready to take the next step? Submit your manuscript for copyediting today.