Hire a copy editor and get a second pair of eyes on your work.
I’m Camille DeSalme, freelance copy editor, proofreader, and typo eradicator.
Do you want to spend less time cleaning up your communications? Writing well takes effort. Even if you’re a good writer, you need to review and revise what you’ve written. That’s where my help comes in handy: you get an invaluable second perspective and changes that make an impact.
Get an estimate and a free short “audition” edit.
To find out if my edits work for you, send me the following:
1. The word count of your work
2. A representative sample, preferably three pages from the middle of your work and three from somewhere near the end
3. The level of editing you want: see “You define the specifics,” below
4. Your preferred deadline, which affects whether rush-rate hours may be required
If I think I’m the right editor for you, I’ll return an estimate and at least 500 words, edited, for free. If not, I’ll say so.
You define the specifics. If you only want commas checked, that’s all I do. If you want the whole enchilada, I do that.
What’s the whole enchilada? I check for duplication, inconsistencies, and confusing or awkward phrasing. I correct errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and math. I understand that anything outside “proper English” that suits the purpose of your work should remain as is.
I check website links, documentation of quotations, and accuracy of titles and names. I verify everything I can, and I let you know when I can’t.
I also revise aspects of the text to improve its presentation. I identify problems of clarity, accuracy, flow, and readability, and I correct those problems by reorganizing text and by rewriting short segments of text. If I have questions, I query you.
Note that I am not a developmental editor or a copywriter.
One of my favorite resources is The Chicago Manual of Style.
It’s your writing, your work, so I keep it in your voice and style.
I’ll edit anything I’m right for, in electronic form or hardcopy. It might be your book, blog, business brochure, website, or crossword puzzle. It might be a binder of printouts and handwritten notes for a sales pitch to your client.
I often use Microsoft Word for editing. For examples of that, see the first post in my blog. I also edit website text.
My regular fee ranges from $28 to $32 per hour, depending on the work. For rush jobs, my fee is $42 per hour. A rush job is one that requires me to clear my schedule and postpone other jobs to meet your deadline.
Hire the copy editor who sees more than meets the eye.
I keep your information and specifics about your work confidential unless you give me permission to discuss them. Contact me and we can talk about what I can do for you.
