Definitions vary, but here’s a brief description of the services I offer. (In reality, we will discuss the work you want me to do and come to agreement on the details.)
Proofreading
Proofreading occurs at the end of the editorial process, after your work is edited and formatted for publication. It’s a quality check: a fresh pair of eyes to find any pesky errors that might have been introduced during formatting and to do a final inspection for any problems.
Typically, proofreading includes ensuring accuracy and consistency in spelling, punctuation, and grammar as well as checking layout elements—page numbers, headers, widows and orphans, graphics, and so on.
Copyediting
Copyediting occurs after you have the contents organized and your message in place and before your work is formatted. It’s more of a consistency check: a fresh pair of eyes to look at both the small technical details and the big picture impact and to ensure clarity and cohesiveness.
Typically, copyediting includes checking spelling, punctuation, grammar, references and/or citations, overall structure and organization problems, consistency, and fact checking. I can create a stylesheet or add to yours.
What I can work on
Expertise, subject areas, and a few of my favorite things: corporate/business/nonprofit communications and marketing, education/K–12 curriculum, libraries and museums, mysteries, tarot, board games/puzzles, social work, genealogy, Latin/Classics
Types of content: books, articles, instructional materials, product catalogs, newsletters, brochures, slide decks, case studies, blog postings, website content
Don’t see what you need here?
If you don’t see it here, ask. I have done all kinds of editorial and communications work—from writing to production management to maintaining websites—and I am open to opportunities beyond proofreading and copyediting. I’m interested in most everything, flexible, and above all honest; I won’t take on any work that I don’t feel is a good fit for both of us.
“Nancy is a well-organized individual who has no difficulty handling a varied workload. Through careful attention to details she has made a major contribution toward improving the accuracy and consistency of the Tradeline Catalog, as well as of other projects in which she has been involved.”
Joyce A.
Working together
- You’ll probably want a quote; first I’ll need to see the files. I can work in Word, PDF, or hard copy. Google docs is an option for shorter communications.
- We’ll chat about what you want and need done and what I can and cannot do for you.
- If we’re the right match, we’ll agree on terms, including a price or rate, a timeline, and a payment schedule.
- I’ll do the work; you’ll be delighted!
Privacy and ethics
Your work is yours. Except where required for legal purposes, I won’t share any part of it—or your information—without your permission.