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Our Top 12 Substantive Editors

Elevate Your Manuscript With ServiceScape’s Substantive Editing Services

If you need a professional substantive editor who can polish and refine your writing, you have come to the right place. Our expert editors will fine-tune your content, organization, and presentation, ensuring that your unique voice shines through.

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Proudly Trusted By:

Cornell UniversityBASFDuke UniversityUniversity of Wisconsin–MadisonUniversité du Québec à MontréalUniversity of Nantes
Keith2314

1. Keith2314


102 Client Reviews
2,868 Pages Edited

M.A. in Linguistics from Northeastern Illinois University

Starting at $4.95 USD per page

maxedwards

2. maxedwards


973 Client Reviews
63,144 Pages Edited

B.S. in Print Journalism from Emerson College

Starting at $6.00 USD per page

hneuf

3. hneuf


256 Pages Edited

Editor at Schiffer Publishing

Starting at $3.95 USD per page

EditingExcellence

4. EditingExcellence


185 Client Reviews
4,482 Pages Edited

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

Starting at $4.95 USD per page

EMThompson

5. EMThompson

[Elite]
419 Client Reviews
21,890 Pages Edited

M.A. in Asian Studies from UC Berkeley

Starting at $5.95 USD per page

WriteWatchman

6. WriteWatchman

[Elite]
4,661 Client Reviews
138,784 Pages Edited

Professor at Cincinnati State University

Starting at $8.95 USD per page

IowaWriter

7. IowaWriter

[Elite]
471 Client Reviews
32,347 Pages Edited

B.A. in English Literature from Northern Illinois University

Starting at $5.95 USD per page

ScienceDoc

8. ScienceDoc


122 Pages Edited

Ph.D. in Agricultural Science from the University of Queensland

Starting at $7.00 USD per page

KellyC

9. KellyC


864 Pages Edited

B.A. in English from the University of Missouri

Starting at $3.95 USD per page

AcadConsult

10. AcadConsult


1,320 Client Reviews
80,431 Pages Edited

Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Rhode Island

Starting at $9.99 USD per page

Paula_G

11. Paula_G


324 Pages Edited

B.S. in Communications from California State Polytechnic University

Starting at $3.50 USD per page

Precision_Editing

12. Precision_Editing


193 Client Reviews
7,525 Pages Edited

Professor at Syracuse University

Starting at $7.00 USD per page

Browse More Substantive EditorsRated 4.839 Out of 5 Stars Based on 8,342 Reviews
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What We Bring to the Table

ServiceScape is built on 23 years worth of experience, working on over 336,000 projects with over 96,000 clients. Join the thousands of people who have chosen ServiceScape to find the best and brightest talent.

4.909 out of 5 Stars

123,712 Rated Projects

Your platform for professional substantive editing services

We bring together a team of highly qualified editors dedicated to refining and enhancing your manuscript to its highest potential. Substantive editing goes beyond mere corrections and proofreading; it delves deep into the heart of your content, assessing and improving its organization, flow, and overall presentation. Our editors work diligently to ensure that your manuscript is not only error-free but also logically structured, coherent, and engaging. They delve into the minutiae, aligning the structure of your work with your objectives and audience's expectations.

Substantive editor editing a manuscript

At ServiceScape, our editors come from a diverse range of professional backgrounds, providing a broad spectrum of expertise. No matter your project's subject matter, you can find the perfect expert in our team to guide you in shaping your manuscript in the best possible way. Trust in our experience, trust in our expertise, and let us transform your writing into a polished masterpiece.

Browse our top-rated substantive editors

A substantive editor making corrections

ServiceScape stands at the forefront of professional editing services, largely due to our team of top-rated editors. Most of our editors has been thoroughly evaluated by clients like you, accruing ratings and reviews that testify to their exceptional service delivery. Many of our substantive editors have garnered hundreds, even thousands of positive reviews, providing you with a tangible assurance of the unrivaled quality that you can expect when you engage our services.

Our substantive editors also possess extensive experience and specialized skills that enable them to delve deeper into your work. They scrutinize content, organization, and presentation, ensuring your manuscript is not just error-free, but also captivating, coherent, and perfectly structured.

We invite you to explore our rich pool of substantive editors and discover the right match for your manuscript. Each editor’s profile details their specific skills, areas of expertise, and past client reviews. We're confident that you'll find an editor whose skills and experience align perfectly with your project needs.

Our substantive editing approach: refining content, structure, and presentation

Substantive editing with a red pen

ServiceScape's substantive editing is all-encompassing and thorough. It isn't about surface-level edits; instead, it's a deep and comprehensive process. They will delve into your manuscript's essence to ensure its most effective and compelling version is realized.

A critical part of our approach is the role our editors play in guiding clients to define their objectives, understand their audience, and accordingly shape their manuscript. Our editors, with their wealth of experience, provide invaluable insights and suggestions to align your content with your intended goals and audience expectations, thereby elevating its impact.

Our substantive editors perform a range of tasks to bring the best out of your manuscript, including but not limited to:

  • Evaluating and improving the logical flow of content.
  • Enhancing the clarity and coherence of ideas.
  • Adjusting the tone and style to match the intended audience.
  • Ensuring consistency in language, terminology, and formatting.
  • Evaluating and improving the organization of paragraphs and sections.
  • Providing constructive feedback on plot or argument development, if applicable.
  • Checking for and eliminating any redundancies or irrelevant material.
  • Ensuring that the title, headings, and subheadings appropriately reflect the content.
  • Suggesting improvements for transitions and connections between sections or arguments.

This meticulous and client-focused approach defines our commitment to delivering substantive editing services that go beyond the norm. Trust us to illuminate the strengths of your manuscript and refine it to perfection.

Preserving your unique voice

Editing a manuscript

At ServiceScape, we understand that every piece of writing is unique, mirroring the author's distinctive style and voice. This is why our substantive editing is not a one-size-fits-all service, but a personalized process that respects and enhances your individual writing style.

Our editors are skilled in adapting their editing approach to suit the requirements of your specific audience and publication venue. They are well-versed in a wide array of writing styles and genre conventions, ensuring your manuscript not only meets but exceeds the expectations of your intended readership. While our editors make crucial adjustments to improve your manuscript's clarity, structure, and overall presentation, they are always careful to maintain your original voice. Your style is preserved throughout the editing process, ensuring that your work remains authentically yours, only polished and fine-tuned to its utmost potential.

Collaborate with your substantive editor anytime

Teleconference with a substantive editor

At ServiceScape, we believe that open and consistent communication forms the backbone of an effective substantive editing process. A manuscript is a personal and valuable creation, and we understand that entrusting it to an editor requires trust and a shared understanding. This is why we encourage a transparent dialogue between our clients and editors, fostering a collaborative relationship that ensures the final product reflects your vision.

Whether you prefer to exchange messages or schedule teleconferences for more in-depth discussions, we have you covered. This open line of communication allows you to express your ideas, preferences, and concerns, and receive prompt feedback from your editor. It also ensures that your editor fully understands your expectations and the direction you want your work to take.

This commitment to open and consistent communication results in a synchronized working relationship where you and your substantive editor operate as a team. Your editor doesn't work in isolation but collaborates with you throughout the editing process, aligning their expertise with your vision to shape your manuscript into a polished piece of work that genuinely resonates with its intended audience.

Experience our exceptional substantive editing service

Writing a manuscript

ServiceScape prides itself on offering an exceptional substantive editing service. Central to this is our team of editors, carefully selected not just for their proven expertise but also for their dedication to the craft of editing. Our editors bring to the table a deep understanding of the subtleties of language, the nuances of different writing styles, and an intuitive sense of what makes a manuscript engaging and effective.

But while we're busy perfecting your manuscript, we never lose sight of what truly matters: your unique voice and your specific goals. We believe that the heart of your manuscript is your message, and our role is to help amplify that message, not change it. We work to enhance your manuscript's overall quality while preserving its original tone, ensuring that the final product is a polished version of your work that still feels authentically you.

Choose ServiceScape's substantive editing service, and let's collaborate to bring your manuscript to its fullest potential.

Frequently asked questions

How do I hire an editor?

You can hire an editor in just four steps:

  1. Browse our directory to find the editor you want to hire.
  2. Click the "View Profile" button to see additional information.
  3. From the profile page, click on the "Hire Me" button.
  4. Upload your writing and enter your project details.

You will have the option to either select a predefined service or create a custom project. If you select a predefined service, you can pay for your project immediately by using a credit card, U.S. bank transfer, or PayPal®. After your payment method has been approved, the editor will start working on the project as soon as possible and will deliver it by the due date you selected. If you select a custom project, the editor will provide you with a service proposal that will have a unique price for the unique service you require.

Can I have a free sample?

Sure! Many ServiceScape editors provide free samples. You can submit a free sample request by doing the following:

  1. Browse our directory to find an editor you'd like to ask for a free sample.
  2. Click the "View Profile" button to see additional information.
  3. From the profile page, click on the "Free Sample" button.
  4. Upload your writing and enter your project details.

If the editor accepts your free sample request, you will receive the sample edited version within a couple of days.

How do I contact an editor?

To contact an editor about your project, just do the following:

  1. Browse our directory to find the editor you'd like to contact.
  2. Click the "View Profile" button to see additional information.
  3. From the profile page, click on the "Send Message" button.
  4. Write and send your message.

We will email you a notification as soon as your editor replies to your message.

How do I set up a teleconference with an editor?

If you would like to speak with an editor directly, just do the following:

  1. Browse our directory to find an editor you'd like to speak with on a teleconference call.
  2. Click the "View Profile" button to see additional information.
  3. From the profile page, click on the "Teleconference" button.
  4. Enter the date and time you would like to have your discussion.

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 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.

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.

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.

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