copyediting and proofreading
Polished prose,
engaged readers,
no distractions
Approaches tailored to
your project
An eye for detail,
queries with kindness
Expertise in Chicago, APA,
AP, and more
Click the image for a copy of my resume.
Tate Herbert, Editor
I’m a copyeditor and proofreader who came to the trade in a meandering path from investigative journalism, taking detours through packaging and healthcare consulting before landing in the freelance world. I currently focus on narrative nonfiction, especially true crime, and fiction, especially speculative fiction. I am passionate about helping writers tell their stories—and getting fresh, captivating stories in the hands of eager readers.
I can bring to your project my familiarity with topics including wrongful convictions and the criminal justice system, substance use disorders, journalism writing and ethics, American history and politics, mental health, and homelessness. But part of what I love about editing is learning new things and discovering new worlds. I know the online search history of an author, especially a fiction writer, can seem a bit wild—if not downright suspicious! As your editor, I’d love to put on my fact-checking hat and go on that journey with you.
I can edit to Chicago, APA, AP, or your company/house style, and I stay current in best practices in conscious (often person-first) language. I can also work with you to develop your own style sheet for a single large project or portfolio of related projects.
Editorial Philosophy
Oftentimes, as an author, you get so close to your work that your brain literally can’t recognize any gaps between what you mean to say and what’s on the page. Sometimes, in the rush of creativity, you can’t stop to consider the finer points of subject-verb agreement. This can result in wonky word choices, continuity and consistency issues, or (shudder!) even dangling participles. You want your readers to be immersed in the story, not jerked out of the flow by minor details. That’s where I come in. My goal is to help you reach your readers with clean, clear, and engaging copy.
I am a stickler for detail, accuracy, and consistency, but you can always expect me to deliver a query with kindness and a brief explanation. I want to enhance your voice and let your strengths shine—not edit out what makes you unique.
Take the next step toward publication ❊
Initial consultation
Tell me more about your project and schedule an initial call. We’ll discuss your project’s goals, timeline, length, style parameters, and budget.
01Sample edit
Arrange for an edit of a small percentage of your entire work, so we can see if we’re a fit.
02Consistent communication
Touch base at regular, predetermined intervals or as major queries arise—your choice. After you receive the full, edited draft, follow up with any questions—or even to schedule another round of editing on a revised draft.
03Services
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Editing for grammar, mechanics (punctuation, capitalization, etc.), style, consistency, continuity, and word usage.
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A final read-through to catch typos, outright grammatical and mechanical errors, and formatting issues before a manuscript goes to print. This can include comparison to the copyeditor’s markup to make sure their edits were applied, or it can simply be a “cold read” of the manuscript.