editing
As an experienced editor, my strength lies in concentrated and close focus on your story. I treat every client's story with as much care as I would my own. When I edit fiction, I 'inhabit' your story, thinking about the big picture aspects such as plot, pace, genre and market, characterisation, location and dialogue – but I also pay very close attention at the 'micro' level, homing in on whether that particular comma adds anything, whether your chronologies and internal dynamics are consistent, whether your facts are accurate, whether you know how to lay out dialogue, whether you've repeated the word 'peered' forty times in the book ...
If you’re writing non-fiction, I will apply these skills to the structure and expression of your book, taking an overall view of the flow, shape and argument as well as the features noted below. If you are an academic and English is not your first language, my Academic Editing for Non-native English Speakers will help you ensure your work is accurate and flows well.
Your options:
A developmental or structural edit focuses on the narrative or structure. It is a truly deep dive into all the aspects of your story or argument. You'll also receive a detailed, multi-page report summarising the book's strengths and problems, a review of each chapter and a section of detailed recommendations for revision or development. This report will help you take an overview of your work and its marketability while drilling down to the nitty gritty aspects of scene and chapter construction.
A line or copy edit pays attention to the words on the page and the flow and accuracy of the sentences. I will edit your manuscript using track changes in Word to highlight repetitions, inconsistencies, ambiguities and factual errors. I will note where you could improve clarity and flow, where you could sharpen images and vocabulary. I will draw your attention to grammar, spelling, punctuation and presentation. Where necessary, comments in the sidebar will explain in more detail where issues have arisen and I’ll present potential alternatives. I’ll create a style sheet which records the punctuation, presentation and spelling options we have opted for. This is particularly useful if you go on to write more in a series, helping you to remain consistent. A line edit on its own does not involve a report but I will compile a bullet-point list of any recurrent issues I spot which you may wish to address.
You can request a line edit only, without the report, of course, at reduced cost.
My full edit service combines developmental editing and line/copy editing as described above. You'll benefit from an overall review of your book, plus a meticulous line-by-line examination of it. I can supply both the report and the line edit at the same time but I recommend that you opt for the developmental edit first. When you’ve absorbed it and put into practice my recommendations for revision, then you can send the final manuscript through for the line edit.
'It's clear to me that you are very thorough indeed. You don't miss a thing! I need that. You do offer a very high quality service, that's for sure. Honest, accurate, intelligent and insightful. Just what I need!' M.A.
Contact me first to tell me a little about your project and its word count, plus the timescale you're working to. I'll ask you to send through a sample so that I can quote a fee for the work. Fees will vary according to the type and complexity of the work involved.
