Editing and Proofreading

Too many authors are too eager and too impatient to get their writing out into the world. They believe that readers will forgive issues with content or copy.

But we live in a demanding world. If a reader spots an issue, they grow wary. If they spot another, then their immersion in your writing is punctured, and now they’re on alert.

It’s that simple. You’ve lost them as a reader.

You have the opportunity to address all those problems. You have the chance to answer the questions readers will ask before they can put voice to them.

Do you want your writing to be the best representation of you?

This is where editing is invaluable.

Copyediting

Copyediting – also known as line-editing – looks at the text line-by-line, checking things such as:

• grammar
• punctuation
• spelling
• facts (such as dates, mathematical formulas, the legitimacy of jargon)
• house style
• clarity of expression
• consistency of formatting.

Copyediting is ideal for the author who feels they’re content is sound, and the prose itself needs to be addressed.

Structural Editing

Structural editing looks at how the text is functioning as a whole. It will cite things such as:

• is the plot/content sound? Whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction, you’re trying to communicate a story. Are you doing that successfully?
• does the structure work? Do aspects of it need to be developed or pared back? Could the information be shifted to communicate the content far more effectively?
• are the characters three dimensional? Whether it’s a novel or a biography, are the characters involved fully fleshed, believable people?
• is the prose overwritten or underwritten? Is there too much waffle? Or are there areas that could be developed further?
• does the writing achieve what it sets out to do?

Structural editing is ideal for the author who is unsure if their manuscript working as they intend.

Proofreading

When you’re sure your book is ready to go print, proofreading is employed for that final check.

Proofreading will check spelling, grammar, and punctuation, but will also cite if prose is unclear, or if formatting (if the book has been laid out) is awry.

Proofing will only query the author if absolutely necessary. This is not the time for substantive revision. If you think you still need to rewrite, then look at editing.

This is the time to polish your writing and ready it for the world.

Fees