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You almost certainly do, and I'm not just saying that because I'm a copy editor and would like it if you hired me (or even another copy editor if you don't like my vibes). Everyone's writing has a goal, and oftentimes the writing isn't quite reaching that goal. Editing is the process of helping your writing meet its goal: improving the word choices, correcting the grammar, adjusting the punctuation, and more.

Absolutely! I used to use Grammarly to help me catch things that I miss (and editors miss things; any editor who tells you they don't miss things isn't to be trusted). Tools like Grammarly are good at the mechanics of writing. They ensure that your writing aligns with English's myriad rules no matter what. That absolutely has value, but I know from experience that plenty of non-editors just let these tools run wild, accepting every offered suggestion because it's "correct." However, sometimes "correct" isn't the right choice for your writing, and a good editor knows when to ignore what's correct in favor of what's right.Also: Grammarly and its peers are often wrong (I've had multiple instances of Grammarly insisting I used the wrong "it's/its"), and they miss things, too! Here's an example: Grammarly sailed by a sentence that included the phrase "pour over the data" because there's nothing technically wrong with it. As far as Grammarly was concerned, someone was just pouring something over the data and that's exactly what the writer intended...except the sentence needed to read "pore over the data," which is the actual phrasing. Oops!So, yes, Grammarly can be—and often is—useful, but it's still only a tool, and tools are only as good as the person using them. Of course, it's gone all in AI agents and whatnot, so I've stopped using it.

I'm glad you asked. While I like to think of myself as something of a generalist, I've edited primarily in two fields: digital-first journalism and web content and corporate learning and development.Digital-first journalism and web contentIn this space, I've edited articles on a range of topics, from the mathematics of worm blobs for the science news website ScienceAlert to the best river surfing spots for Treehugger (née Mother Nature Network) and everything in between. I've also edited folks' websites, including a freelance project manager in the corporate L&D space who is very good, if you're looking for someone in that field. My role in these projects was to ensure that the writing was clear, accessible, and audience-friendly. I edited for grammar, punctuation, and style, primarily using the Associated Press Stylebook and as in-house style guides. At ScienceAlert in particular, there was an emphasis on conveying information accurately and accessibly for both lay people and science professionals while maintaining and enhancing an author's voice and style.I enjoy working in this space because it reaches a huge number of folks and that feeling of knowing that the writing needs to be on point pushes me to help the writer and the publication achieve their goals. If it doesn't, then the reader or prospective client will go elsewhere, and my job is to help ensure that doesn't happen.Corporate learning and developmentIf you've ever worked for a pretty sizable company, you've probably had to do at least kind of training, maybe on something like sexual harassment or how to use a particular piece of software that the company relies on. Well, I've helped edit, write, and design those kinds materials. This has ranged from massive PowerPoint decks and Articulate Rise courses about systems walkthroughs to PDF participants guides about warehouse safety to to scripts for animated videos about cybersecurity. I've also written branching scenario-based trainings on a few different subjects.Regardless of the modality, the emphasis in the corporate L&D space is always accuracy and consistency. Trainings needed to be the same across the learning suite and even the whole company, ensuring that brand voice and style were always at the forefront. My job was to make sure that happened while also navigating the needs of various stakeholders, including (and especially) the learners.The corporate L&D space can sound a bit stuffy, but the folks who work in are constantly thinking about how to make these materials engaging and relevant for their colleagues and clients. It's a challenging environment, but one that I often found to be very rewarding whenever we'd hear back about how well the materials were received. A team I worked with developed a multinational power utility's company security trainings, and those trainings were well-liked internally that other divisions within the company sought came to our company to develop their trainings.

The short answer? Yes.The long answer? Copy editors shouldn't market themselves as generalists, but I'm doing it right now as I start my business. So, depending on your field of study, maybe not your dissertation or thesis, and maybe not your book because 1) I've never copy edited a book before (though, I am willing to!) and 2) like I said, you don't want me to line edit your book; I'd get in the way of your writing's goals.That being said, I'd still encourage you to reach out to me using the contact form at the bottom of the page and we can discuss your project. I don't charge for consultations and am always eager to hear about what others are doing.I will, however, definitely edit your restaurant's menu or website, that PowerPoint deck for a big presentation, or a job packet. And if you're a cool nonprofit, museum, art gallery, or small business, please reach out. I definitely want to help you.