Ink and Essence Copy Editing

Copy editing is the stage in the publication process that comes after the “big picture” revisions (also known as the developmental edit) and before the final proofread, and it’s essential to ensuring the clarity and readability of the text. I get up close and personal with language mechanics, but I don’t run a chop shop; I’m committed to preserving the characteristics that make your writing distinct.

In a copy edit, I will do the following:

• fix spelling, punctuation, and capitalization mistakes
• implement consistency in style, hyphenation, typography, and basic formatting
• address syntactical issues like misplaced modifiers and subject-verb disagreements
• correct usage errors, such as affect vs. effect or that vs. which
• flag redundancies, ambiguity, and lapses in continuity
• identify mondegreens, malapropisms, and eggcorns that a run-of-the-mill spellchecker would miss (for all intensive purposes, I am on tender hooks)
• understand the difference between grammar rules and style conventions—and when to ignore them

I specialize in speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy, and horror), young adult & middle grade, TTRPGs, and occult nonfiction. Even if your project falls outside that scope, though, don’t be afraid to hit me up! I’m always looking for new adventures.

I do not work with any text written with clear malicious intent toward marginalized identities. This includes but is not limited to explicit attacks or dog whistles against citizen status, disability, ethnicity, gender, race, and sexual orientation.

Rates

There is no universal rate for editing, which is why I’ll first ask to see your full manuscript to assess the unique needs of your project. Then, taking into consideration the complexity of the assignment, your desired turnaround, my existing schedule, and other variables, I'll create a customized proposal just for you. Rest assured that my prices are in line with the Editorial Freelancers Association's editorial rates chart and the Unified (QT)POC Standard Requirements.

If you’re a first-time client, I will also perform a sample edit on up to 1,000 words of your text, free of charge, to give you a preview of how I operate; this lets you make an informed decision about whether or not we’d be a good fit before committing to anything.

Get a Free Sample Edit

Hail and welcome! I’m Jei (pronounced [dʒeɪ]), speculative fiction writer, game designer, and in-house copy editor at khōréō. I started editing professionally in 2011 and have tackled everything from fantasy novels to memoirs, dissertations to artist statements.

Ever since I picked the pencil at my doljabi, thus sealing my fate as a lifelong logophile, I’ve been enchanted by wordsmithery. Determined to harness some of its power for myself, I studied English with a focus on creative writing and 20th- & 21st-century literature at the University of Iowa, sold my first short story, joined writing groups around the world, expanded my narrative tool kit at the Clarion West Writers Workshop, and earned a master’s in library and information science from the University of Washington. When it became evident that wrangling my own words wouldn’t be enough to satisfy my need to luxuriate in language, I went on to work as a proofreader, copy editor, magazine submissions editor, English teacher, academic writing consultant, and YA librarian.

These days, I live with my partner, two feline office assistants, a clew of worms, and a company of snails on the land of the Niswi-mishkodewinan, the Three Fires Confederacy of the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Bodwéwadmi. When not reading, writing, or dreaming of doing the same, I like to make weird jewelry, play with bones, and stare aggressively at the clouds.

Use the contact form below to send me your manuscript, and I’ll provide a customized quote for the copy edit of your project.