Copy editing

The purpose of a copy edit is to catch misspellings, correct punctuation, incorrect or inappropriate word choices and correct grammar usage. I will also look for unnecessary words, repetitions, appropriate use of dialog tags, awkward or ambiguous sentences and proper submission format. I will provide notes on why changes are suggested as well as the portions of your work that I find to be brilliant and memorable. At my sole discretion, I may or may not include some light fact-checking or substantive editing at no charge to the client. This, of course, will affect an hourly rate, and that is one reason I prefer not to use an hourly rate. Rates for copy editing will be stated in advance on a per word basis and vary depending on the degree of complexity and difficulty of the individual edit.
If your question is related to Oghma Creative Media, you can email me at dennis@oghmacreative.com.

Testimonials

No writer wants to hear, “Your first chapter is good but boring. You may want to rewrite it.” Still, Dennis left the decision to me. I took his advice, and without it, I am certain my book would have never reached number 9 on Amazon’s Top 100 in Teen & Young Adult Folklore & Mythology. The adage, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” is far from the truth when it comes to the skills ... Dennis's (teaching skills). He taught me a great deal. With each mistake that I made came a correction and a description of what I had done wrong.
A writer can find a more expensive editor, but not a better one.
Eddie Hartshorn — author of Ghosts of the Big Sandy River

As a beginner to working with an editor, I dreaded getting my manuscript back and seeing everything I had done wrong. Dennis turned the editing process into a teaching process. He explained my mistakes and answered all my questions. His encouragement also helped me grow confidence in my writing, something I had lacked before. I look forward to learning more from him in the future. — Kyleigh McCloud

"Dennis Doty is an invaluable resource as an editor. His insight and skill helped elevate my writing to a much higher standard. He is also full of anecdotal trivia about some writing aspects so you may learn a fact or two throughout the course of his edits. I cannot recommend his services enough and I look forward to working with him again. — Kyle Lechner

"Last, but certainly not least, the contributions of my editor, Dennis Doty, to the integrity and accuracy of this novel have served to make it better every step of the way. His devotion to the written word and his vast knowledge of the history of the West and the world of the Western never ceases to amaze me."
from "A Crow To Pluck" by Robert Giel

TESTIMONIAL
When Dennis Doty agreed to take on my work, I had little faith in what I had written. I would say my work is published today because he believed when I could not. He saw the potential, the diamond in the rough, and professionally polished it to shine. His excellent editorial service and timely dedication floored me in a good way.
Working with him has been enjoyable, as he is an epitome of patience and painstakingly takes the time to explain the reason certain words and lines might not be working out well. I have found his suggestions in this regard, both educative and a perfect fit.
He effortlessly picked up on my voice as a Nigerian writer and masterfully steered my work to safe harbour.
I hope to work with him in future.
I remain
Gloria Ogo
Author of While Men Slept
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"I'm a professional editor and always use an outside editor for my own writing, so I know good editing when I see it. Dennis saw the things I couldn't because, like most writers, I was too close to it. My story is my baby, and he gave it the same respect I do. Most editors don't give many notes explaining the changes, but Dennis does, which makes it easy to see where to accept his changes and where my story wasn't clear enough, so I could revise it effectively. If you enjoy working with a professional who respects your story as much as you do, and who has the talent needed to make your story the best it can be, then I strongly recommend hiring Dennis. He is worth every penny, and more."
~J.S. Menefee        
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After two of my stories were rejected for an anthology, Dennis Doty suggested that the problem was that I had not used a professional editor before submission. I was new to professional writing and hadn’t realized the necessity of this step of the process. Since then, he has edited at least half a dozen of my stories, and two of them have been accepted for publication, including one of the one’s previously rejected.
Now, having him as an editor is not a guarantee of submission acceptance, but it has increased the chance with a well-polished presentation of my work. Dennis is patient and professional with his comments. He never denigrates the author, but educates with each piece. My writing style has improved over the course of the year because of his efforts.
I have, and will again, recommend Dennis as an editor.
 
-          P.A. O’Neil
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          "He very quickly recognized my voice and the tone of the piece. I never had to worry about him making suggestions that altered my vision.
     I hope to work with Dennis again in the future, and would recommend him to anyone looking for a top-notch line editor."  Vicki W.
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Dear Mr. Doty,

I want to thank you for all you have done for my writing this past year. As you know, I faithfully enter the Flash Fiction contest that you judge and edit with comments. I have an eighth-grade education and, therefore, my punctuation, grammar, and spelling are wanting.
Though I have been a writer all my life, I have not submitted myself to tutelage of any sort nor have I sought to be published. Now that I have matured and seek to create and publish my stories and books, your comments and edits have helped me to grow.
I have found that of all the judges in these Flash Fiction challenges, your edits and comments represent the mindset of potential publishers. What I am saying is, if I had submitted any one of my pieces to a publisher, the very mistakes you found and corrected would have motivated the publisher to throw my manuscripts in the trash.
It isn’t always easy to read them, but you have a knack for teaching the value of, and the how to of, keeping my stories historically accurate as well as grammatically acceptable.
I don't want to neglect to mention how much you have encouraged me over this last year.
I want to thank you and all the judges who have caused such tremendous growth in my craft. I do want  to mention my willingness to be taught and persevere even when my mistakes are numerous was, as you have pointed out, essential to my growth.
Thank you again

Renee-Holly