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[daimonion81]

Dear All,

   I have recently obtained two reviews of a paper that I submitted to a very good journal in my field. One of the reviewers, in particular, suggested that I should pay for professional copy-editing in order to improve my somewhat clumsy (non-idiomatic) language (in case you haven't noticed, yet - I am not an English native speaker). In fact, I am quite aware of the fact that my text require such an improvement.
   The problem I have is that I will not be able to afford paying a professional editor. Do you have any suggestions about another ways, in which I could make the English of my manuscript better. I will be very grateful for any suggestions.

All the best,

Daimonion81

[bevo98]

Here's a wonderful little book I use all the time:  Edit Yourself:  A Manual for everyone who works with words.

Bruce Ross-Larsen
   

[peppergal]

I do copy-editing for my non-native English speaker friends and colleagues all the time as a favor.  They repay the favor by copy-editing my stuff that's in their native languages.

Of course, my solution only works if you have native English speaker friends who also speak (and publish in) your native language...

[seniorscholar]

Don't know what sort of school you're at now, but at my big R-1 with a reputable doctoral program in English, notices seeking a copy editor appear rather regularly on the "Graduate Students" bulletin board, and the Writing Center has a list of grad students (mostly ours) who have been specifically approved to copy edit dissertations from non-native speakers, especially in the STEM fields. In any case, the charge would be less than for a "professional copy editor," and (again, at this school), the Writing Center would provide an idea of the appropriate pay. P.S., our Grad Student bulletin board also sometimes has notices seeking a copy editor that are not from grad students from other departments at this university, but from those at the Ivy University across town.

[parispundit]

Finding a friend in your field is the best solution. Second best is a friend not in your field but familiar with academia. Otherwise, for a journal-length piece, say c.10,000 words, good professional copy-editing should cost you in the neighborhood of $200. Is your career worth that?

If you want, PM and I can make suggestions as to where to find the editing.

[zyzzx]

I agree with the find a native-speaking friend suggestion. If only one of the reviewers mentioned it (and judging by the language in your post), then the amount of work needed is likely not too much. Offer to do something nice for them in return.
I have done this for several colleagues, and have viewed it as good karma and a contribution to the general tone of helpfulness and favor giving in my department (and a good way to procrastinate my own writing while feeling virtuous).

[octoprof]

I do copy-editing for my non-native English speaker friends and colleagues all the time as a favor.  They repay the favor by copy-editing my stuff that's in their native languages.

Of course, my solution only works if you have native English speaker friends who also speak (and publish in) your native language...

I have done the same for my non-native English speaker friends in our college of business.  It's just a nice professional courtesy.

[daimonion81]

Dear All,

   Thank you very much for all your suggestions, which are indeed very helpful. I think I will try, firstly, to edit my paper by myself with "Edit yourself" as a guide and, then, find a native English speaker willing to read my paper. I hope this will do.
   Thank you once again. All the best,

Daimonion81