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:
​
-
spelling/grammar/punctuation errors
-
continuity issues/plot holes
-
redundant or repetitive text/sentence structure
-
text consistency (e.g. capitalisation/hyphenation)
-
issues with flow/clarity/accuracy
-
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 7 days of delivery (publisher terms may vary).