Meet the copy editors behind bestsellers
A copy editor does more than address grammatical errors. They improve your manuscript's readability, ensure your book adheres to the right style sheet, and fine-tune your prose.
On Reedsy, meet editors with years of copy editing experience at Big 5 publishers. Our editors have an ear for beautiful, readable sentences and understand the ins and outs of different style guides.
Sirah J.
Available to hire
Careful inspections, thorough explanations, and considerate guidance for inclusive picture books and middle grade novels.
Penny S.
Available to hire
Deputy Chief Editor then Director of the Oxford English Dictionary; 23 years at the OUP. Now editing texts for a varied range of authors.
John H.
Available to hire
College-certified thriller, crime, and historical fiction editor for 10+ years. I believe professionalism and courtesy make projects work.
Dick H.
Available to hire
Experienced London-based editor of fiction (novels, short stories, plays), biography, art and culture and personal statements.
Aaron L.
Available to hire
Editor in Chief of an art & lit website and English educator who loves all forms of creative writing—both poetry and prose.
What can you expect from a Reedsy copy editor?
A copy editor is a type of editor who polishes a piece of writing, ensuring it's error-free, consistent in style, and readable. While they do check grammar and punctuation, they primarily focus on improving clarity, cohesion, and accuracy while adhering to established style sheets.
On Reedsy, you can expect for editors to thoroughly go through your text, making changes that include eliminating redundancies while making sure that your own personal style remains intact through smaller details such as hyphenation and capitalization.
Importantly, a copy editor will also strengthen the prose throughout. They will substitute weak words, phrases, and sentences with powerful alternatives, often restructuring sentences for improved clarity. Once your manuscript has been copy edited, it will become more efficient, accurate, and focused on your voice.
Note that while the purview of a copy editor will vary from contract to contract, most copy editors will not handle "big picture" issues such as characterization, plot, or structure. Those responsibilities fall to a developmental editor. Copy editing takes a closer view of a manuscript by focusing on individual sentences and paragraphs.
Assemble your team
Request quotes from up to 5 professionals in your genre with a free Reedsy account.
