Copy editing This is the basic editing used if all you need is a quick read of your work to check grammar, punctuation, excessive repetitions, typos, spelling, or word use errors (ex. they're/ there/ their).
Substantive editing This level of editing requires much more time, as the editor goes beyond simple reading, and examines the overall structure of the work for inconsistencies (ex. the criminal disposes of his gun in the river in chapter 2, but somehow has it yet in his possession in chapter 10), for sentence structure problems, or character development flaws. In this process, wording may be changed and paragraphs added, deleted, condensed, or expanded. Substantive editing may also include added research and verifying cited sources for accuracy.
Translation: French to English/ English to French Although this is self-explanatory, translations present difficulties, as both the wording and the spirit of a piece need to be respected as much as possible. The Italian proverb, "Traduttore, traditore!" (Translator, traitor!) captures the fact that going from one language into another is not as simple as it may sound. It requires not only mastery of the languages used, but also deep cultural knowledge, and sometimes added research, depending on the topic of the text to be translated. For instance, a text related to literature, history, culture, or travel would not present difficulty for me to translate, but a specialized scientific or medical work would take me too far from my field of expertise. In the case you have already translated a piece and need me to double-check it, and depending on the quality of the translation submitted, the fee will be reduced accordingly (up to 50%).
Reviews Reviews of articles/essays, short stories, or novels may vary from 250 to 500 words. They will be thorough and will examine plot, character development, and themes. The best ones will figure permanently on the Review blog page of Well-chosen Words.
Time expectations "How long will it take?" is a question on every writer's mind, of course, but the best an editor can promise is a close estimation of the time that will be required to complete the work, depending mostly on the number of changes that will need to be made. So here is a loose approximation:
Copy editing: Under 2,000 words, one week or less; otherwise, approximately 1,500 words/day, so a 60,000-word novel should take about two months to complete.
Substantive editing: Under 2,000 words, one week to ten days; otherwise, approximately two to three months for a 60,000-word novel.
Translation: 2,000 words and under one to one and a half weeks; otherwise, approximately three to four months for 60,000 words.
Reviews: 2,500 words and under, one week; two to three weeks for longer works.