Our Top 24 Substantive Editing Service Professionals

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
XpertEditor

1. XpertEditor

[Elite]
7,429 Client Reviews
275,490 Pages Edited

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

Starting at $9.95 USD per page

WriteWatchman

2. WriteWatchman

[Elite]
4,689 Client Reviews
139,951 Pages Edited

Professor at Cincinnati State University

Starting at $9.50 USD per page

EditrixJD

3. EditrixJD

[Elite]
2,404 Client Reviews
104,073 Pages Edited

Writer at PBS

Starting at $9.45 USD per page

ProseTechnician

4. ProseTechnician

[Elite]
2,259 Client Reviews
85,894 Pages Edited

Ph.D. in English from the University of Nebraska

Starting at $5.95 USD per page

LexEditor

5. LexEditor

[Elite]
2,265 Client Reviews
54,118 Pages Edited

J.D. from the University of Maine School of Law

Starting at $11.00 USD per page

DoctorWord

6. DoctorWord

[Elite]
2,358 Client Reviews
51,578 Pages Edited

Copy Editor at Intergroup Japan

Starting at $9.88 USD per page

ErrorProof

7. ErrorProof

[Elite]
821 Client Reviews
29,318 Pages Edited

Director at Aetna

Starting at $7.00 USD per page

jmelton

8. jmelton

[Elite]
474 Client Reviews
23,437 Pages Edited

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

Starting at $8.50 USD per page

S.Edwards

9. S.Edwards

[Elite]
604 Client Reviews
16,652 Pages Edited

J.D. from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law

Starting at $15.50 USD per page

EditingWithExperience

10. EditingWithExperience

[Elite]
282 Client Reviews
14,364 Pages Edited

Editor at Elsevier Inc.

Starting at $5.95 USD per page

YourProfessor

11. YourProfessor


4,522 Client Reviews
242,605 Pages Edited

Ph.D. in History from the University of Virginia

Starting at $8.95 USD per page

AcadConsult

12. AcadConsult


1,327 Client Reviews
81,412 Pages Edited

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

Starting at $9.99 USD per page

EMThompson

13. EMThompson


435 Client Reviews
22,677 Pages Edited

M.A. in Asian Studies from UC Berkeley

Starting at $5.95 USD per page

bszpak

14. bszpak


186 Client Reviews
13,539 Pages Edited

Ph.D. in History from the University of Cambridge

Starting at $4.95 USD per page

WriteOn

15. WriteOn


324 Client Reviews
9,974 Pages Edited

B.A. in English from the University of North Carolina

Starting at $22.00 USD per page

ChipperEditor

16. ChipperEditor


185 Client Reviews
5,865 Pages Edited

M.A. in English from McMaster University

Starting at $8.00 USD per page

EditingExcellence

17. EditingExcellence


186 Client Reviews
4,686 Pages Edited

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

Starting at $4.95 USD per page

BioEditorPhD

18. BioEditorPhD


119 Client Reviews
3,994 Pages Edited

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

Starting at $6.95 USD per page

Keith2314

19. Keith2314


103 Client Reviews
2,991 Pages Edited

M.A. in Linguistics from Northeastern Illinois University

Starting at $4.95 USD per page

ArtemisInk

20. ArtemisInk


34 Client Reviews
1,880 Pages Edited

M.A. in Childhood Education from Hunter College

Starting at $15.25 USD per page

WordHelper

21. WordHelper


29 Client Reviews
780 Pages Edited

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Hawaii

Starting at $10.50 USD per page

EditorEnRoute

22. EditorEnRoute


21 Client Reviews
543 Pages Edited

Copy Editor at Nella Media Group

Starting at $12.00 USD per page

Paula_G

23. Paula_G


535 Pages Edited

B.S. in Communications from California State Polytechnic University

Starting at $8.50 USD per page

PixelPerfectEdit(PPE)

24. PixelPerfectEdit(PPE)


286 Pages Edited

Lecturer at the University of Pretoria

Starting at $7.99 USD per page

Browse More Substantive EditorsRated 4.949 Out of 5 Stars Based on 31,069 Reviews
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What We Bring to the Table

ServiceScape is built on 24 years worth of experience, working on over 340,000 projects with over 98,000 clients. Join the thousands of people who have chosen ServiceScape to find the best and brightest talent.

4.910 out of 5 Stars

125,690 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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