EDITING
Editing is the single most important step in preparing text for publication. In a crowded marketplace full of discerning readers, a first-class edit is the fastest way to a professional-looking end product.
Although I primarily work on books, both fiction and non-fiction, I am also available to edit everything from CVs and marketing material to dissertations and website copy.
What do I look for while editing?
This will vary slightly depending on the type of project and quality of the writing, but as a general rule, my edits will address the following:
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spelling/grammar/punctuation errors
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continuity issues/plot holes
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redundant or repetitive text/sentence structure
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text consistency (e.g. capitalisation/hyphenation)
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issues with flow/clarity/accuracy
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unrealistic dialogue
I'm afraid I'm unable to work on unfinished text or text that needs significant developmental work.
How does it work?
In the majority of projects, editing is done in Microsoft Word using the Track Changes feature. This allows authors to check, then accept or reject each individual change I make, while being able to switch between their original text and the clean edit. It also has a comments feature that I use to explain more substantial edits or raise queries. For a video guide, see here.
I can also work from PDFs and hard copy.
How much does it cost?
My rates are in line with those suggested by the Chartered Institute for Editing and Proofreading, typically between £5 and £15 per 1,000 words, but as every project is different, please get in touch with a sample of the work and the final word count for an estimate. My standard terms are 50% deposit up front based on the estimate, with the balance paid within 14 days of delivery (publisher terms may vary).