The Chicago Manual of Style is the industry standard for magazine articles, trade journals, and books, both fiction and nonfiction. In academia, it is almost always used for papers, theses, and dissertations in the arts and humanities (e.g., history, languages, music, art, sociology). Book publishers may change some elements of the article or manuscript to conform to house style, but having your work in "Chicago format" is always appreciated. The fewer reasons for rejecting your manuscript, the more likely and quickly it is to be accepted and published.
The latest printed version (16th edition) of The Chicago Manual of Style is over 900 pages. It is also available online by subscription. But, if you're doing a final edit on your document, do you know what term to look up when you have a question? Sure, you could take the time and effort to look up answers to all of your questions . . . how much free time do you have? Will your other responsibilities put your deadline at risk? Did you start your project by applying what is now an out-of-date version of The Chicago Manual of Style? Is your manuscript "grandfathered" under an older version of The Chicago Manual of Style or must you update it?
For almost every rule in The Chicago Manual of Style, there is an exception or an alternative rule. For instance, The Chicago Manual of Style uses two styles of documentation: notes-bibliography (NB) and the author-date system. If you're writing about architecture or humanities (e.g., literature, history, art), you're likely to use a different system than the one used for social sciences. Which documentation style applies to you or, put another way, should you use the long or short version of notes? (Hint: Are you including a bibliography?) Do you know when to put a hyphen between two words? (Hint: Do the words form a compound adjective or adverb? Is the compound permanent or temporary?) Should you use footnotes or endnotes? (Hint: Are you writing a book, an article, or a dissertation?) Where and how should you incorporate a table? (Hint: Are you writing a book, an article, or a dissertation?)
If you're using Kate L. Turabian's Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, you'll also use one of these two documentation-reference systems, but "Turabian" contains modifications to The Chicago Manual of Style that apply only to theses, dissertations, capstone projects, and research papers. How much time will it take for you to research all the major and minor differences? If you make a mistake in formatting, how many submissions will it take you to get it right and will those delays put your targeted graduation date at risk? Should you seek a Chicago Manual of Style formatting and editing service from the start or after your document is rejected for formatting issues?
Our Chicago Manual of Style experts can help finalize the editing and formatting of your project so that your submission is clean, coherent, and compelling on the first go-round.
HOLLY MONTY, MA MAC ELS
APA format, Chicago Manual of Style
Since operating as a freelance editor and writer, Ms. Monty, a Microsoft Word and LaTeX expert, has worked on books and articles published by many of the world’s leading publishers, including Cambridge University Press, Oxford University Press, MIT Press, W. W. Norton, Sage, John Wiley, Springer, Lawrence Erlbaum, Pearson-Prentice Hall, Praeger, Greenwood, Blackwell, and other top names in academic and nonfiction publishing. To date, she has edited more than 2,000 published journal articles, more than 150 nonfiction books, and a wealth of dissertations and theses. Ms. Monty is proud to have worked with a diversity of students and academics from a broad range of our nation's universities. Given her wealth of experience, she is adept at working within the precise terms of your university's thesis/dissertation guidelines or with the publication guidelines of any peer-reviewed journal.
"Holly was FANTASTIC. She was SO thorough and submitted everything back to me earlier than I needed it! Even after she was done with the edit, I had some questions, and she was very speedy in her responses. I appreciate that she took time to answer my questions. She really went above and beyond! My paper not only needed to follow APA guidelines, but my university had guidelines as well. She did both perfectly."
—Nicole Foster, Trinity International University.
JAMES N. POWELL, with MA degrees in both English Literature and Religious Studies, is a former Professor of English Literature. He has been editing, coaching, and tutoring writers and students for years. He was inhouse APA proofreader of doctoral dissertations at the Fielding University. He excels at working with international / ESL students. Specializing in APA and MLA styles, he has proofread hundreds of doctoral dissertations and papers. He is an internationally published writer, with books issued by major houses: Prentice Hall, William Morrow, and Hosei University Press (Japan).
If you have a book, dissertation, or paper that needs to be in APA format, rather than attempting to master the 272-page Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, turn your manuscript over to an editor with years of APA experience. I have edited doctoral dissertations published at the following universities, to name just a few: Adelphi University, Adler Graduate School, Alliant University, Antioch University, Argosy University, California Institute of Integral Studies, California State University, Capella University, Century University, City University of New York, Concordia University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Fielding Graduate University, Grand Canyon University, Harvard University, Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing, Hunter College, John F. Kennedy University, Kwangwoon University, Leiden University of Social Sciences, Liberty University, Longwood University, Medaille College, Morgan State University, Northcentral University, Nova Southeastern University, Pacifica Graduate Institute, Pepperdine University, Regent University School of Global Leadership and Entrepreneurship, Regis University of Professional Studies, Rider University, Santa Barbara Graduate Institute, Saint Mary’s University, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, University of California, University of Florida, University of Hartford, University of Kansas, University of Miami, University of Oslo, University of Phoenix, University of Texas, University of the West Indies, University of Wisconsin, Walden University, Warren National University, William Howard Taft University, Yeshiva University, and York University.
Academic editing and scholarly writing consultant: theses and dissertations
APA format and Chicago Manual of Style
A.J. is an editor, proofreader, and writer with wide experience both in fiction and in nonfiction, the latter with specialties in business writing, business methods, business history, communication, and literary analysis. He also writes both nonfiction (primarily articles on business-related topics and book reviews in various areas of fiction and nonfiction) and fiction and has won several minor awards for his short stories.
As a freelance editor, he enjoys the challenges of working with both fiction and nonfiction manuscripts. His specialty is science fiction (and he edited the four-volume Magill’s Guide to Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature), but he moves easily among genres. Although he thrived as an in-house editor, he decided in 1997 to pursue freelance work, primarily to be able to work more directly with authors and to have greater flexibility and choice among projects. He prides himself on helping authors write so that they convey exactly what they want to, polishing their work and exploring with them the best ways to tell their stories or to present their facts and theories while maintaining the authors’ own tone and style.
His career in the publishing industry, spanning more than 25 years, began at SAGE Publications. While pursuing graduate work in economics at UCLA, he taught at California State University, Northridge, and other colleges in the Los Angeles area. After deciding that the publishing field suited him better than academia, he took a position at Salem Press, earning promotion to the position of project editor within several months. He worked in-house at Salem Press until starting work as a freelance editor, and Salem Press remained a client until it went out of business.
A. J. has edited nonfiction work, both books and papers (including more than a dozen successful theses and dissertations and dozens of articles published in academic journals), in a variety of fields, including various social sciences, technical research, and medical research. His work includes dozens of books and more than 50 journal issues in the social sciences, research methods, mathematics, political science, psychology, business and management, history, and health and medicine, among other topics.
Rachel is an experienced publishing executive and hands-on editor and proofreader who has worked at Prentice-Hall, MacMillan, and John Wiley & Sons, among others, where she developed college textbooks in a variety of disciplines. As the science director for Amsco School Publications--which publishes texts and review books for the 6-12 market--she was responsible for developmental editing of her own titles and assessing manuscripts for publication and marketing.
The list of titles that Rachel worked on at Amsco included: Amsco’s AP Biology; Amsco’s Science, Grades 6-8 (a 3-book series); Preparing for the OAA Science; Preparing for the FCAT Science, Grades 8 and 11 (two books); MCAS Science Grade 8; Life Science Work-Text, Revised Edition; and Forensic Science (IP). Along with the books, she also edited, wrote, and rewrote catalog copy and marketing information.
Rachel’s skills include global reorganization as needed, heavy developmental editing, rewriting, copyediting, and proofreading, She excels at transforming manuscripts into an accessible, informational tool of instruction for its intended audience.
Rachel edits for clarity and comprehension, taking into account macro as well as micro editing, the big picture as well as the small.
MARIE VALENTINE's editorial work ranges from conceptual and developmental brainstorming to copy editing and proofreading, as well as the nitty-gritty of print and Web production. She has worked in acquisitions and production for the renowned new age book publisher Llewellyn Worldwide. She has also served as a news editor and writer, business technology editor, poet and small press publisher of experimental works by contemporary writers. Marie will use her knowledge in literature and nonfiction to clarify your thoughts with minimal alteration, but she is also open to experiments and will adapt easily and quickly to your perceived vision and goals. A flexible editor and proofreader with a light touch, Marie will help your prose shine while keeping your personal style intact.
• 10+ years proofreading experience (print, web, digital, books, magazines, news weeklies, chapbooks and more)
• 6 years business and technology editing experience
• 5 years book manuscript editing experience, both fiction and nonfiction
• 4 years publisher acquisitions experience - Ruminator (small press), university press (U of MN), commercial press (Llewellyn). She knows what publishers look for in a book.
• 9 years academic editing and formatting
Other writing categories: Articles, student papers and scientific reports, publisher submissions and proposals, website copy consulting.
Marie’s areas of specialization: English and Spanish literature, business and IT, spirituality and religion, journalism and communications, cultural studies, psychology, ecology/botany,
contemporary art and art history, women’s studies, anthropology, psychology, sociology, linguistics, philosophy.
DONALD WELLS has more than 18 years experience as an editor and writer. He has edited for and written with accountants, agriculture researchers, economists, educational researchers, educational psychologists, engineers, historians, lawyers, Master's students, nurse researchers, nutritionists, PhD candidates, philosophers, political scientists, psychiatrists, psychologists, sociologists, soil scientists, UN experts, university professors, and veterinarians. He has edited more than 200 published journal articles, some of which have won awards, many dissertations and theses, annotated bibliographies, reference books, textbooks, and academic, engineering, government, and scientific reports.
He is an expert in APA style, Chicago Manual of Style, and MLA format and is familiar with AMA. He has extensive experience with ESL writers. Don is dedicated to maintaining the individual voice of the writer, and he follows two rules of style: A document must be clear and concise. He has found that these two rules of style produce documents that are elegant and professional.
"I had a very unfortunate contract end with another editing service that did not perform nor consider my timelines for my dissertation proposal. I received an immediate phone call from the network coordinator. She provided me with a consultant referral. Within hours, I received a response ... [my editor] went above and beyond in her services. Her guidance and expertise was exact and accurate. She was professional in her communication style, but demonstrated her sensitivity and compassion towards my circumstances. Her contract was easy to understand and specific to the tasks. I am forever grateful to the network; their ethics and standards extend beyond industry standards." Cheryl Moore, PhD Candidate, Capella University
"Just a note to let you know that my dissertation was approved today, so again thank you for your help and I will definitely tell my friends about your excellent services. You are a true professional." Miriam Golbert, Nova University
"Overall this is a very nice service. The work was done to more than my satisfaction, and the services went over and above what I expected. The consultant saved me about a week to 10 days worth of work considering my very busy schedule." Dave Wickman ERAU / UTC employee
"Being a full-time teacher and student, my life is extremely stressful. Perfecting work for my Ph.D. program is time-consuming and quite intensive. Suzanne helped to alleviate much of my stress and allowed me to finally get some much needed rest! She was very patient and helpful during the review process of my paper. Her review of my paper was first-rate and her response time was quick. She was also prompt in all emails sent to her concerning any questions that I had. My dissertation proposal is on its way for the IRB approval. I must thank Suzanne for her hard work, dedication and expertise with APA writing." Dawn Adams, internship coordinator, Wheeler High School
1. Your agreement, whether oral or written, is with your thesis or dissertation editor/consultant, not with the network as a whole or its coordinator.
2. It is the client's responsibility to review all work completed to ensure accuracy and adherence to specifications.
3. We do not write or sell dissertations, theses, term papers, or essays. We will, however, polish your draft. The final product will be yours — legitimately.
REQUEST FOR ESTIMATE/CONSULTATION
Cut and paste the text that follows into your e-mail editor (e.g., Outlook, Word) and answer each question.
A sample is required to receive an estimate for editing services
6. Describe your project: (e.g., book, business document, dissertation)
7. Describe the level of writing or editing required: (e.g., copyediting, proofreading, content editing, fact-checking, ghostwriting, formatting)
8. Current word count of document:
9. Your deadline date:
10. Required manual of style, if any: (e.g., Chicago Manual, APA, MLA, AP, AAA, CBE/CSE)
11. If you are a student, please provide the URL of your university's style manual:
12. Number of charts, tables, and pictures: ____________ Do you need them edited and/or formatted?
13. Do you have a budget for the project? (Please be specific.)
14. Number of footnotes and entries in reference list:
15. Do you want to contact a particular writer/editor?
16. How did you learn about our service?
Attach a sample chapter/section or other important documents related to your project. Please zip large files (max 1MB)
YOUR NAME MUST BE IN YOUR SAMPLE DOCUMENT OR IT CAN BE THE FILE NAME (e.g., johnsmith.doc).
A sample of the material is required to receive a quote for services. If you did not send a sample and/or description of the project with your first submission, please resend.
Once your e-mail is received, the network coordinator will forward it (plus any attached files) to the consultants you selected. If no selection is made, your submission will be forwarded to several consultants who might be a good match. Final choice of consultant is yours.
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Allow a longer response time if you sent your submission during the weekend or after U.S. business hours.
All of the consultants listed on this site are freelance. They are located throughout the U.S. The coordinator cannot answer cost/timeframe questions for each consultant. You must go through the submission process to receive direct responses from the consultants listed on this site.
Need help with your submission? Call 1-855-EDITING (553-3484) Note: The coordinator is not able to provide price quotes or turnaround times for the freelance consultants in this network. Ethical Limitations: Our editors will not perform research or write original content for students, and our statisticians will not answer homework or test questions.
JAMES N. POWELL, with MA degrees in both English Literature and Religious Studies, is a former Professor of English Literature. He has been editing, coaching, and tutoring writers and students for years. He was inhouse APA proofreader of doctoral dissertations at the Fielding University. He excels at working with international / ESL students. Specializing in APA and MLA styles, he has proofread hundreds of doctoral dissertations and papers. He is an internationally published writer, with books issued by major houses: Prentice Hall, William Morrow, and Hosei University Press (Japan).
RACHEL STONE
MARIE VALENTINE's editorial work ranges from conceptual and developmental brainstorming to copy editing and proofreading, as well as the nitty-gritty of print and Web production. She has worked in acquisitions and production for the renowned new age book publisher Llewellyn Worldwide. She has also served as a news editor and writer, business technology editor, poet and small press publisher of experimental works by contemporary writers. Marie will use her knowledge in literature and nonfiction to clarify your thoughts with minimal alteration, but she is also open to experiments and will adapt easily and quickly to your perceived vision and goals. A flexible editor and proofreader with a light touch, Marie will help your prose shine while keeping your personal style intact. 
