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I need a copy-editor for my completed crime novel before independent publication. The primary focus should be on consistency and clarity, ensuring a cohesive reading experience while maintaining my narrative voice. The Book: - The Deepfake Wicket — Book 1 of a planned series - Crime / financial thriller, set in contemporary Johannesburg - Approx. 80,000 words - Complete, several rounds of authorial revision, not previously professionally edited Key Requirements: - Focus Areas: - Consistency and clarity (primary) - Grammar and punctuation - Retain SA English & Afrikaans dialogue — do not neutralise to US/UK usage - No restructuring of content - Delivery of a comprehensive style sheet is necessary, as further books in the series will follow. Timeline: I am working to a launch date of 20 October, so I would ideally have the edited manuscript back by 19 September. If that doesn't suit your diary, please tell me your realistic earliest delivery date rather than stretching to meet mine. Rate: Please quote per word. I am budgeting in line with PEG guideline rates for copy-editing. Sample: I'm happy to send 2,000 words for a sample edit before either of us commits, and to pay for it if that's your practice. Ideal Skills & Experience: - Proven experience copy-editing commercial fiction, ideally crime or thriller - Comfortable working in South African English; able to handle Afrikaans in dialogue without flattening it - Attention to detail and commitment to maintaining authorial voice
Project ID: 40655359
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48 freelancers are bidding on average $849 USD for this job

The author of twelve published novels (some in the crime/thriller genre), I have over fifteen years' editing and proofreading experience. In that time, I've worked with all kinds of different writers - from first-time authors to the far more established - writing in all kinds of different genres: literary, historical, thriller, YA, romance, sci-fi/fantasy, etc. In terms of my working practices, I will edit your novel with an eagle eye for detail, eradicating any typos, grammatical lapses, the repetition of words/phrases, and ensuring that the pacing, plot, structure, tone, character development/arcs are sound and effective. Of course, I will respect the natural, authentic dialogue and the current structure of your story. Additionally, I will provide an interim assessment of the manuscript within twenty-four hours of receipt, just to give you my first impressions of your writing and let you know what kinds of changes I'm making. I use Track Changes in Word and can make a start right away. I will charge a one-off flat rate of US$750 for my work and expect to complete the edit within seven days. I look forward to hearing from you.
$750 USD in 7 days
6.8
6.8

Hi there, I'd be delighted to copy-edit The Deepfake Wicket and help prepare it for independent publication. For a crime thriller, consistency, clarity, and pacing are essential, and I understand the importance of preserving your South African English, Afrikaans dialogue, and distinctive narrative voice. I work with an experienced fiction copy-editor who can carefully review grammar, punctuation, consistency, and clarity without restructuring the manuscript. We can also provide a comprehensive style sheet to maintain consistency across the planned series. We are happy to complete the 2,000-word sample and can work toward your September 19 deadline. Best regards, Abu Yusuf.
$750 USD in 7 days
6.6
6.6

Greetings! I can copy-edit your crime novel with a focus on consistency and clarity while preserving your narrative voice and South African English and Afrikaans dialogue. I will deliver a comprehensive style sheet for the series. I am available for a sample edit and can provide a realistic timeline. I have experience with commercial fiction and can quote per word. Let me know your preferred start date and I will begin. Thanks, Revival
$750 USD in 7 days
6.5
6.5

Copy-editing crime fiction while preserving regional voice requires managing competing priorities: maintaining SA English authenticity against standardization pressures, especially when Afrikaans dialogue is embedded in the narrative. This manuscript presents exactly that challenge. The Deepfake Wicket edit will focus on consistency mechanisms—establishing style conventions for dialogue formatting, SA terminology, and narrative voice—then applying them systematically across 80,000 words. Grammar and punctuation corrections follow clarity principles rather than prescriptive rules; the goal is readability without flattening your voice. Delivering a comprehensive style sheet alongside the edited manuscript ensures series continuity. This document becomes your reference for Books 2 and 3, reducing editorial friction downstream. The sample edit (2,000 words) will demonstrate the approach: how consistency gets enforced, where SA English distinctions matter, and how authorial voice stays intact. Realistic timeline: September 12 delivery is achievable. Rate structure follows PEG guidelines for commercial fiction copy-editing. Ready to discuss the sample process and secure the September launch window.
$750 USD in 1 day
6.0
6.0

With more than a decade of experience in various domains including freelance writing and editing, I am confident that I am well-equipped to handle the heavy lifting your crime novel needs with maximum attention to detail and respect for your narrative voice. Over these thirteen years, I have amassed significant skills in MS Word which is crucial for delivering top-notch copyediting work of this nature. I have also gained fluency in languages such as Chinese, English, Hindi, and Urdu - testament to my capacity to adapt to specific language quirks and requirements. I fully appreciate the significance of maintaining cultural authenticity within a story. My understanding of South African English combined with the ability to handle Afrikaans without neutralizing it equips me well to enhance and maintain the flavor of your dialogue without imposing foreign norms. These skills were honed during my extensive tenure working with high-profile clients from different cultures and languages where precision was the primary requirement. Lastly - but most importantly to me - client satisfaction is paramount in my work ethic. As such, my services do not stop once a project is over; they continue until you are completely satisfied. My mission has always been turning challenges into opportunities for growth, and with your deadline in mind, I guarantee utmost commitment without compromising on quality.
$800 USD in 2 days
5.9
5.9

Hey, You are looking for Crime Novel Copy-Editing "Lets Gets Started, I know you have several tempting proposals here, but I guarantee you to be impressed by my work. I have various skills in design, Illustration, Photoshop, Graphic Design, Logo Design and Illustrator. If you give me this chance you will be impressed, because I guarantee that I will meet your expectations. I invite you to get a look at my portfolio You Can see it from here : https://www.freelancer.com/u/sahildogra222 If you have any questions or queries, do not hesitate to contact me. I hope to start working with you. With regards! SAHIL
$750 USD in 2 days
5.1
5.1

Copy-editing a crime thriller with SA English and Afrikaans dialogue requires precision in maintaining regional voice while standardizing consistency—this is where most editors falter. The Deepfake Wicket demands an editor who understands South African publishing conventions and won't flatten dialogue into neutralized English. With 15+ years handling commercial fiction, academic research, and technical editing across multiple style guides, this project aligns directly with proven expertise. The 80,000-word manuscript timeline works within the 19 September deadline when approached systematically. The focus on consistency, clarity, and authorial voice preservation—without content restructuring—is standard copy-editing scope. Deliverable approach: Full manuscript review with tracked changes, comprehensive style sheet documenting SA English preferences, Afrikaans dialogue handling, and series-consistency protocols for subsequent books. Sample edit of 2,000 words available upfront at no charge to confirm editorial alignment before full engagement. Quote will be per-word at rates aligned with PEG guidelines for commercial fiction copy-editing. Realistic delivery: manuscript returned by 15 September, allowing buffer before your launch window.
$750 USD in 1 day
4.9
4.9

Hello I can assist you in copy-editing and crafting a polished, consistent manuscript while preserving your narrative voice and the authentic South African English and Afrikaans dialogue. With experience in fiction editing, I can carefully review your 80,000-word crime/financial thriller for grammar, punctuation, clarity, continuity, and consistency without restructuring your content. I will also create a comprehensive style sheet for *The Deepfake Wicket*, ensuring consistency across this book and future installments. I can work toward your September 19 deadline or provide my earliest realistic delivery date. Thanks Brian
$804 USD in 5 days
3.9
3.9

With over seven years of experience under my belt in creative writing, I've had the honor of working on diverse projects similar to yours, honing not only my fiction but also proofreading skills. Being a writer myself allows me to deeply understand and respect your narrative voice and authorial style. Moreover, my familiarity with various writing genres is a testament to how adaptable I am to specific terminologies and story settings. What differentiates me from other competitors is my proficiency in South African English and Afrikaans dialogue retention without sacrificing readability or comprehension. It's paramount to maintain the authenticity of your setting, and that's precisely what I aim for in all of my copy-editing projects. Thankfully, this aligns perfectly with your requirements. An essential deliverable for any novelist is a comprehensive style sheet, and with me on board, you won't have to worry about that. I understand that this series holds multiple installments in its future, and consistency will play a vital role in tying them together. As your deadlines are crucial, let me assure you that I'm well-versed in respecting them while providing prompt results without compromising quality. Given the opportunity, I will draw upon my expertise to enhance the clarity and coherence of 'The Deepfake Wicket' effectively ensuring your readers a seamless narrative experience. Looking forward to being a part of making all your ideas come true!
$750 USD in 7 days
2.6
2.6

Hi, Aashiq (Ash) here from Cape Town, South Africa. This project instantly caught my eye, so I had to reach out. I see you’re looking for a copy-editor to ensure consistency and clarity in your crime novel, "The Deepfake Wicket." I appreciate the importance of maintaining your narrative voice while enhancing readability. With years of experience in copy-editing commercial fiction, especially in crime and thrillers, I’m confident in my ability to keep your unique style intact. I understand the nuances of South African English and can effectively handle Afrikaans dialogue. I’d be happy to share samples of my previous work if you'd like. Based on what you mentioned, here is how we would approach the project: - Conduct a thorough line edit for consistency and clarity - Focus on grammar and punctuation - Provide a comprehensive style sheet for future books in the series You can expect seamless communication throughout the process, ensuring a user-focused solution optimized for performance. Best Regards, Aashiq
$1,350 USD in 14 days
2.8
2.8

Hi, I read your project carefully and I can deliver exactly what you need. I can start immediately and show you the first preview in a few hours. Let’s discuss the details.
$750 USD in 5 days
2.3
2.3

Hello, I’d be glad to copy-edit **The Deepfake Wicket** with the focus you’ve outlined: consistency, clarity, accuracy, and a cohesive reading experience while protecting your established narrative voice. For an 80,000-word crime/financial thriller, I’ll carefully review: • Grammar, punctuation, spelling, and sentence clarity • Character names, terminology, timelines, facts, and internal consistency • South African English conventions throughout • Afrikaans dialogue without unnecessarily altering or neutralising it • Repetition, awkward phrasing, continuity issues, and distracting inconsistencies • Style and formatting consistency across the manuscript I will **not restructure the novel or rewrite it into my own style**. Where something needs attention beyond straightforward copy-editing, I’ll flag it clearly rather than making an unnecessary change. I’ll also create a **comprehensive style sheet** covering language conventions, character names, recurring terminology, spelling choices, dialogue conventions, numbers, punctuation, and other decisions that can be carried into future books in the series. I’m happy to complete the **2,000-word sample edit** first so you can assess my approach. I can quote a per-word rate after reviewing the sample/scope and confirm a realistic delivery date rather than overpromise. I’m ready to get started.
$750 USD in 5 days
3.1
3.1

Hi I can surely assist you in editing and polishing *The Deepfake Wicket* while preserving your unique narrative voice and the South African setting. I understand that your main priorities are consistency, clarity, grammar, and punctuation—not rewriting or restructuring the story. I will carefully review the full 80,000-word manuscript, paying close attention to character names, terminology, timeline details, dialogue, punctuation, and continuity. I’m also comfortable working with South African English and will preserve Afrikaans dialogue naturally rather than unnecessarily changing it. A detailed style sheet will be provided alongside the edited manuscript, documenting important language, character, spelling, punctuation, and consistency decisions so it can serve as a reference for future books in the series. I’m happy to complete the 2,000-word sample edit first so you can assess my approach. I can also quote transparently on a per-word basis and confirm my realistic delivery date. Thanks
$750 USD in 1 day
2.2
2.2

With a sharp legal mind and proven capabilities in professional writing, I am the perfect candidate for your copy-editing project. My commitment to delivering work that respects authorial voice while maintaining adherence to grammar and punctuation is unparalleled. As an experienced writer across various genres, including crime and thriller, I know exactly what it takes to polish a commercial fiction manuscript to its absolute best and ensure every intricacy is perfectly aligned. Having worked with different jurisdictions and writing styles throughout my career, including fluency in South African English, employing the unique social postures of languages like Afrikaans comes naturally to me. Your book's dialogue will remain its authentic self under my watchful eye – something essential for avoiding neutralizing US/UK usage that could potentially compromise your narrative's integrity. Given that this is the first installment in a series, I understand the additional importance of delivering a robust style sheet to maintain consistency throughout. I can guarantee not only timely delivery ahead of your target launch date but also unlimited revisions to ensure you're completely satisfied with the final product. Let me put my skills and experience into your compelling story; together we can make it an even stronger narrative force on the shelves!
$1,125 USD in 7 days
1.5
1.5

As an experienced freelancer who has a knack for spotting inconsistencies and sharpening narratives, I am confident that my editing and proofreading skills are tailor-made for your crime novel. Having previously worked on diverse writing categories, including commercial fiction, I assure you that I will uphold the essence and clarity of your narrative while maintaining your unique voice throughout. With regard to language specificity, my comfort with South African English ensures that your dialogues in Afrikaans will remain true to their roots without any compromise. I fully understand the implications of tight timelines for a book launch, especially considering you're working towards an October release. Rest assured, I am no stranger to working under pressure and have a proven track record of delivering high-quality work on time. Although it's ambitious, I am fully committed to returning the edited manuscript by September 19th, but I'm also open to discussing a timeline that suits us both if needed. While I understand that consistent grammar and punctuation are important, one thing that sets me apart is my ability to respect authorial intent and maintain your unique narrative style. As part of my comprehensive approach, besides meticulously editing your manuscript, I'll also provide a style sheet for future volumes, allowing for consistency throughout the series.
$750 USD in 7 days
0.0
0.0

We've recently helped a business just like yours bring their vision to life — helping them achieve exactly the kind of results you're aiming for with this project. From your job post, it's clear you're looking for something clean, professional, and user-friendly — with a seamless, integrated experience that just works. That's exactly the kind of outcome we focus on delivering. With 12 years of experience in copy-editing, particularly in commercial fiction, I understand the nuances of maintaining your narrative voice while ensuring clarity and consistency. I have a strong background in editing crime and thriller novels and am well-versed in South African English, including handling Afrikaans dialogue seamlessly. I can deliver a comprehensive style sheet alongside the edited manuscript by your requested timeline. I'd love to review the sample you mentioned to align our styles. Let’s connect and get started.
$750 USD in 7 days
0.0
0.0

This project immediately caught my attention because it is exactly the type of work I do best. Your focus on consistency and clarity, while retaining your unique narrative voice, aligns perfectly with my expertise in copy-editing crime and thriller fiction. I am fully equipped to ensure the grammar and punctuation are flawless, while preserving the authenticity of South African English and Afrikaans dialogue. While I am new to freelancer, I have tons of experience and have done other projects off site. My attention to detail and commitment to maintaining authorial voice will ensure a seamless reading experience for your audience. If this sounds like what you're looking for I'd love to hear more about your project. Regards, Warrick Van Eeden
$750 USD in 7 days
0.0
0.0

Hello, I’d be delighted to assist with the copy-editing of *The Deepfake Wicket*. Crime and thriller fiction relies heavily on clarity, consistency, pacing, and voice, and I understand the importance of refining the manuscript without altering the author's style or narrative intent. My approach focuses on consistency of character details, terminology, timelines, formatting, grammar, punctuation, and narrative clarity while preserving South African English conventions and the authenticity of Afrikaans dialogue. I would also prepare a comprehensive style sheet covering spelling preferences, character names, locations, recurring terms, timeline notes, and editorial decisions to support future books in the series. I work in Microsoft Word using Track Changes, ensuring all edits remain transparent and easy to review. I'm also happy to complete a paid 2,000-word sample edit so we can confirm we're a good fit before proceeding with the full manuscript. For an 80,000-word novel, my estimated turnaround time would be based on the sample review and manuscript condition, but I will provide a realistic delivery schedule rather than commit to an unworkable deadline. I look forward to learning more about the project. Best regards, Darry
$750 USD in 1 day
0.0
0.0

I DON'T COMPETE ON PRICE. I COMPETE ON RESULTS. Having recently completed a copy-edit for a crime thriller, I ensured that the author’s narrative voice remained intact while enhancing clarity and consistency. The result? A polished manuscript that received rave reviews upon publication. With over five years of experience in editing commercial fiction, I specialize in crime and thriller genres. My familiarity with South African English and Afrikaans dialogue allows me to maintain the authenticity of your characters while adhering to your specified guidelines. I understand your goal is to refine "The Deepfake Wicket" for a cohesive reading experience while preserving your unique voice. I will deliver meticulous edits focusing on clarity, grammar, and punctuation, along with a comprehensive style sheet to support your future works. My commitment to execution and open communication ensures a smooth process. I look forward to helping you elevate your manuscript to its highest potential. The difference between an average result and an exceptional one is usually decided before the work even begins. Regards, Isabella
$750 USD in 14 days
2.4
2.4

Hello, Your brief makes it clear you need a careful editorial hand that will preserve the texture of Johannesburg and the Afrikaans dialogue while tightening the prose for a smooth read. That is exactly the kind of work I do best, and I have extensive experience with crime fiction and South African English. I can absolutely have the manuscript back to you by 19 September. My rate is £0.012 per word, which sits within the PEG guidelines you mentioned, and I can do a paid 2,000-word sample edit first so you can assess my fit. Two quick questions. First, how detailed would you like the style sheet to be, should it include character and timeline tracking as well as language preferences? Second, can you send the sample chapter now so I can start the edit this week? I look forward to reading a few pages of The Deepfake Wicket.
$770 USD in 6 days
0.0
0.0

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