Substantive Editing Services

Find Your Perfect Substantive Editor

Our directory of rated and reviewed substantive editors are here to elevate your writing to its fullest potential.

Find Your Substantive Editor
Substantive Editing Services
344,000+
Completed Projects
99,000+
Registered Clients
4.911/5
Average Rating
Our Clients Include:Cornell UniversityAccentureHarvard UniversityBASFDuke UniversityUniversity of Wisconsin–MadisonUniversité du Québec à MontréalUniversity of Nantes
Fine-tuning structure for clear communication

The Substantive Editing Difference

Fine-tuning structure for clear communication

Our substantive editors carefully refine your writing's structure for improved clarity and coherence. Our approach involves thoughtful assessment and adjustment of your work's organization, moving and reshaping chapters and paragraphs to ensure your writing effortlessly flows from one section to another. Let us help you achieve a polished, logically organized piece that resonates with your audience, making every word count.

Collaborative creation for fiction and nonfiction

Content Development

Collaborative creation for fiction and nonfiction

Our substantive editing process goes beyond mere refinement. We delve into the heart of your work, collaborating closely to enrich your narrative or argument. Whether it’s adding depth to characters and settings in fiction or bolstering arguments with further research in nonfiction, our editors are here to guide your content’s growth. Let’s co-create, enhancing your writing with additional layers of meaning, research, and creativity, making your project stand out.

Achieving uniformity in your writing

Seamless Expression

Achieving uniformity in your writing

Our substantive editing ensures every aspect of your writing remains consistent. From terminology in academic works to character traits in fiction, thematic elements, and the overall tone, we review your text for uniformity. This attention to detail guarantees your writing presents a cohesive narrative or argument, enhancing reader engagement and understanding. Let us help you maintain the integrity of your work, making it as compelling and clear as possible.

Stay in contact with your substantive editor

Substantive Editing Collaboration

Stay in contact with your substantive editor

At the core of our substantive editing service lies a commitment to collaboration. You can contact your substantive editor anytime to refine the direction of your project. Through message and teleconference channels, we ensure that your vision guides our expertise every step of the way. This collaborative process guarantees that the final product authentically reflects your intentions, polished to perfection and resonating deeply with your audience.

Sharpening your message or story

Crystal Clear Writing

Sharpening your message or story

Elevate the clarity of your work with our substantive editing service, tailored to perfect the communication of your ideas or narratives. Whether it’s a nonfiction work, a fiction manuscript, an academic piece, or a business project, our editors specialize in distilling and focusing your text to ensure your intended message or story shines through. With our substantive editors by your side, clear, impactful writing is just around the corner.

How It Works

Have your writing edited in three steps

Find Your Substantive Editor

Browse profiles of accomplished editing professionals.

Upload Your Writing

Send your files and provide any details regarding the project.

Download the Edited Version

Receive the edited version before your requested due date.

Our Editor Marketplace

Choose your own substantive editor

With ServiceScape, you can browse through the profiles of rated and reviewed substantive editors and find the ideal professional for your project.

Many of our substantive editors:

  • Hold Ph.D. or Master's degrees
  • Offer decades of rich editing experience
  • Have hundreds of client ratings and reviews
  • Are experts across various fields
Find Your Substantive Editor
XpertEditor
XpertEditor

7,589 Client Reviews
280,502 Pages Edited

M.A. in TESOL Education from the University of North Carolina

PatchEditing
PatchEditing

162 Client Reviews
6,402 Pages Edited

Editor at Georgetown University Press

YourProfessor
YourProfessor

4,551 Client Reviews
246,288 Pages Edited

Ph.D. in History from the University of Virginia

Acey
Acey

1,339 Client Reviews
46,913 Pages Edited

Copy Editor at McGraw-Hill Publishing

EditingWithExperience
EditingWithExperience

304 Client Reviews
15,365 Pages Edited

Editor at Elsevier Inc.

Ms._Litteraria
Ms._Litteraria

260 Client Reviews
5,689 Pages Edited

M.A. in English from Lehigh University

WordMechanic
WordMechanic

2,963 Client Reviews
86,127 Pages Edited

Senior Editor for Reader's Digest

ErrorProof
ErrorProof

843 Client Reviews
30,690 Pages Edited

Director at Aetna

GlassPhoenix
GlassPhoenix

701 Client Reviews
22,271 Pages Edited

Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology from Duke University

EditingExcellence
EditingExcellence

190 Client Reviews
4,864 Pages Edited

Ph.D. in Music History from the University of Chicago

jmelton
jmelton

486 Client Reviews
24,770 Pages Edited

Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of Illinois

BioEditorPhD
BioEditorPhD

123 Client Reviews
4,179 Pages Edited

Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Pathology from the University of California

DrPam
DrPam

725 Client Reviews
39,609 Pages Edited

Professor at Marylhurst University

EmilyEdits
EmilyEdits

115 Client Reviews
9,422 Pages Edited

Ph.D. in Political Science from Claremont Graduate University

LMAedit
LMAedit

227 Client Reviews
15,554 Pages Edited

Director of Communications at the Yale Center

ProfessorH
ProfessorH

505 Client Reviews
22,791 Pages Edited

Ph.D. in Communications from Pennsylvania State University

mgmediting
mgmediting

277 Client Reviews
7,785 Pages Edited

M.A. in English from the University of Louisiana

ProseTechnician
ProseTechnician

2,313 Client Reviews
89,038 Pages Edited

Ph.D. in English from the University of Nebraska

Campbell
Campbell

551 Client Reviews
10,292 Pages Edited

Advertising Agency Principal at NC Partners

Keith2314
Keith2314

106 Client Reviews
3,136 Pages Edited

M.A. in Linguistics from Northeastern Illinois University

Our Testimonials and Experience

What we bring to the table

ServiceScape is built on 24 years worth of experience, working on over 344,000 projects with over 99,000 clients. Our substantive editing services are rated 5 out of 5 stars, based on 234 reviews collected over the last 5 years. Join the thousands of people who have chosen ServiceScape to find the best and brightest talent.

Overall Average Rating
4.911/5
127,841 Rated Projects
Alessia Moretti
Alessia MorettiGraduate Student

"My freelancer's attention to detail and commitment to quality exceeded my expectations. Every aspect of the project was handled with utmost professionalism."

Jasper van der Meer
Jasper van der MeerFaculty Member

"I was amazed by the promptness and efficiency of the person I hired. The project was completed well ahead of the deadline, without compromising on quality."

Emily Johnson
Emily JohnsonPublished Author

"The level of creativity and innovation in his approach was outstanding. He truly transformed my ideas into something extraordinary!"

Olivia Brown
Olivia BrownTeacher

"Exceptional service! The professional was incredibly responsive and attentive to all my requirements, making the entire process seamless and enjoyable."

Sarah Miller
Sarah MillerSenior Executive Publisher

"I highly recommend her services. The professionalism and expertise displayed by the freelancer were top-notch, and the results were simply superb."

Jean Kabila
Jean KabilaAttorney

"The quality of work delivered was impeccable. Every detail was carefully considered and executed to perfection. Absolutely thrilled with the service!"

Anke Verbeek
Anke VerbeekEntrepreneur

"Her ability to understand and adapt to my specific needs was remarkable. The final product was exactly what I was hoping for, and more."

Eduardo Ramirez
Eduardo RamirezData Analyst

"Prompt, professional, and passionate about her work. She went above and beyond to ensure the project's success."

Lukas Schmidt
Lukas SchmidtCulinary Director

"The service was outstanding from start to finish. Communication was clear and frequent, keeping me in the loop at every stage."

Jingwei Zhang
Jingwei ZhangProfessor

"Truly impressed by the quick turnaround time. This professional managed to deliver a high-quality result in a remarkably short period."

Aditi Verma
Aditi VermaMechanical Engineer

"His commitment is evident in his work. He made sure I was completely happy with the final outcome."

Felix Weber
Felix WeberProject Director

"A blend of professionalism, skill, and creativity. This individual brought a fresh perspective to the project that was both inspiring and effective."

Ryan Fletcher
Ryan FletcherTherapist

"The freelancer's expertise in his field is unmatched. He provided invaluable insights and suggestions that greatly enhanced the project."

Elif Deniz Yılmaz
Elif Deniz YılmazAssociate Professor

"I appreciated his attention to detail and dedication to delivering a product that not only met, but exceeded my expectations."

Irfan Hisham Kamarul
Irfan Hisham KamarulAssociate Professor

"Her approach to the project was both thorough and innovative. She managed to capture the essence of my vision perfectly. Thank you so much!"

Bram Visser
Bram VisserResearcher

"Remarkable service! The quality of work was consistently high, and her ability to meet tight deadlines was impressive."

Learn More About Our Editing Services

The ServiceScape Advantage

Editing and Proofreading Video
When you choose ServiceScape for your editing project, we guarantee that the result will be high-quality writing that's 100% error-free, delivered on time every time.

Your Questions, Answered

FAQ

What will be corrected?

At ServiceScape, our substantive editors apply their expertise and insight to thoroughly transform your work, blending deep structural and content enhancements with essential editing tasks. Specifically, our editors will focus on:

  • Grammar and Punctuation: Correcting grammatical mistakes and ensuring proper punctuation throughout the text.
  • Spelling: Checking and correcting spelling errors to maintain accuracy and professionalism.
  • Readability: Enhancing the readability of the text by refining sentence structure and paragraphing for a smoother reading experience.
  • Tone and Style: Adjusting the tone and style to ensure it matches the intended audience and purpose, enhancing the overall impact of the writing.
  • Feedback and Collaboration: Providing detailed feedback and collaborating to make decisions about the direction and revisions of the work.
  • Structure and Organization: Evaluating and modifying your writing's overall structure for improved clarity and coherence, including reorganizing chapters, sections, or paragraphs.
  • Content Development: Working closely with writers to further develop content, which may include suggesting additional information, research, or ideas in nonfiction, and deepening character development, plot, and settings in fiction.
  • Clarifying Message or Story: Helping to focus the message or narrative, ensuring that your text communicates its intended ideas or storylines clearly and powerfully.
  • Improving Flow and Pace: Adjusting the pacing and flow of the text to maintain reader interest and enhance narrative drive.
  • Ensuring Consistency: Checking for consistent use of terminology, character traits, and thematic elements throughout the written work.

Our comprehensive approach aims to elevate your writing to its highest potential, ensuring it resonates with your audience and stands out for its quality, depth, and precision.

How do I hire an editor?

You can hire an editor by just browsing our marketplace of editors, clicking on the "View Profile" button of an editor you want to hire, and clicking on the "Hire Me" button. After your payment method has been processed, your editor will get to work and will deliver the edited version before your due date.

Where can I find price and due date information?

A list of prices and due dates can be found within each editor's profile. Just find your editor and click on the "View Profile" button.

How fast can you edit my writing?

Our fastest delivery option is one hour using our Express Delivery service.

Can I have a free sample?

Sure! Many ServiceScape editors provide free samples. You can submit a free sample request by just browsing our marketplace of editors, clicking on the "View Profile" button of an editor you want to request a free sample from, and clicking on the "Free Sample" button. If the editor accepts your free sample request, you will receive the sample edited version within a couple of days.

How do I send a message to an editor?

You can send a message to an editor by just browsing our marketplace of editors, clicking on the "View Profile" button of an editor you want to contact, and clicking on the "Send Message" button. We will email you a notification as soon as your editor replies to your message.

How do I schedule a teleconference with an editor?

You can schedule a teleconference call by just browsing our marketplace of editors, clicking on the "View Profile" button of an editor you want to contact, and clicking on the "Teleconference" button. We will contact you right away about availability and set up the teleconference for all parties involved.

Where can I find ratings and reviews for editors?

You can find ratings and reviews from past clients within most editor profiles. Just find your editor and click on the "View Profile" button to see them. You can also read thousands of ServiceScape ratings and reviews on eKomi.

In addition, ServiceScape has been featured in several publications and websites, including The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, UpWork, HuffPost, Indeed, and The Ladders.

Can I see examples of work the editors have done in the past?

Many editors have portfolios which feature their editing. Just find your editor and click on the "View Profile" button to view these edited versions.

Do you provide editing certifications?

Yes, we provide editing certifications. Simply request the document when you hire an editor. When your project is delivered, you can download the editing certification by clicking on your project and clicking on the "Certification" button. These signed declarations certify that a document has been professionally edited by a ServiceScape editor.

Browse Rated and Reviewed Editors

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