This basic service is to fix any spelling, punctuation, and grammar issues in the manuscript. Unfortunately, word processing software like spelling and grammar checks don’t account for stylistic choices a fiction author makes, and don’t recognize improper usage of a correctly spelled word. However, this service won’t change your writing
drastically as mechanics alone won’t make or break a story.
This is a great service for a writer who has edited his manuscript at least once and is ready to query agents or editors, but needs an expert eye to help polish it first.
Proofreading Packages:
Package 1: Proofreading only: grammar, spelling, and punctuation
Package 2: Proofreading for grammar, spelling, and punctuation, plus: clarity (awkward phrasing, and confusing sentences or passages)
Package 3: Proofreading for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and clarity (awkward phrasing, and confusing sentences or passages), plus: extra long/run-on sentences, passive voice, and word choice* (homonyms, repeaters, clichés, specific terms)
*Explanations and examples of wrong word choices:
-Homonyms: words that sound the same, but are spelled differently. Ex. hear/here
-Repeaters: when the same words are used too often on a page or in a chapter and can be substituted with a synonym.
-Clichés: expressions that have been overused in every day life ex. Blood red, short and sweet, cutting edge, etc…
(Publishers prefer fresh writing, so eliminating as many clichés as possible is recommended.)
-Specific terms: when a general term like “it” is used, but can be replaced with a more specific term. Ex. “It won’t give you all the answers.” Instead try, “This book won’t give you all the answers.” Ex. “It played a role in his demise.” A more specific way of saying this would be, “His greed played a role in his demise.”
Package 4: Proofreading for grammar, spelling, punctuation, clarity (awkward phrasing, and confusing sentences or passages), extra long/run-on sentences, passive voice, and word choice* (homonyms, repeaters, clichés, specific terms—See Package 3 for explanation), plus: tightening the prose, action/reaction, and overwriting (purple prose, melodrama, and over-the-top symbolism)
Package 5: Proofreading for grammar, spelling, punctuation, clarity (awkward phrasing, and confusing sentences or passages), extra long/run-on sentences, passive voice, word choice* (homonyms, repeaters, clichés, specific terms—See Package 3 for explanation), tightening the prose, action/reaction, and overwriting (purple prose, melodrama, and over-the-top symbolism), plus: dialogue/action tags, realistic dialogue, and point of view (POV) slips
Package 6: Proofreading for grammar, spelling, punctuation, clarity (awkward phrasing, and confusing sentences or passages), extra long/run-on sentences, passive voice, word choice* (homonyms, repeaters, clichés, specific terms—See Package 3 for explanation), tightening the prose, action/reaction, overwriting (purple prose, melodrama, and over-the-top symbolism), dialogue/action tags, realistic dialogue, and point of view (POV) slips, plus: deep point of view (deep POV) and show, don’t tell.
