EDITORIAL sERvices
FOR AUTHORS
Why work with me?
A safe pair of hands
You need an experienced editor you can trust. I have worked for 14 years in the industry with self-published authors and for leading publishers including Titan Books, Harper Collins and Quarto Publishing.
Word perfect
You want to tell your story with precision and clarity. I care about the details. I’m only satisfied once every sentence is perfectly polished.
The personal touch
You value clear communication with a human being. I will listen carefully to your specific needs from the outset and give regular updates as work progresses.
MY SERVICES
Developmental edit
You have taken your draft manuscript as far as you can on your own and you want professional editorial feedback. In a developmental edit I will examine all aspects of the manuscript in detail: story arc, pace, tone and style, point of view, characterisation, setting and world-building, and target audience. My feedback will be kind but honest – if it needs major restructuring and rewriting, cuts and additions, I will let you know.
What is included:
A detailed set of editorial notes covering all of the points described.
An annotated manuscript. I will highlight examples, query inconsistencies, pinpoint possible cuts and flag up specific passages that require reworking and make suggestions for improvements.
Copy-edit
You are happy with the overall content and structure of your manuscript. Now it’s time to go through the text with a fine-tooth comb to prepare it for publication. I will line-edit for clarity and flow, unpack unwieldy sentences, check facts, flag up continuity glitches, ensure consistency of tone and style, eliminate repetition and redundant words, and apply the rules of the Big Three: spelling, punctuation and grammar.
What is included:
An annotated manuscript with tracked changes and queries covering the points mentioned.
A style sheet listing spellings of proper nouns and any global style rules applied.
Proofread
The final polish. You’ve worked hard to get your manuscript to this stage and it deserves to be perfect. In a proofread I will eliminate any lingering typos and grammatical bungles. I can also proof cover copy and marketing materials.
What is included:
An electronic proofread mark-up (either PDF or Word format).
Peace of mind knowing that your book will go to press without any mistakes.
Manuscript assessment
Not sure which service you need? In a manuscript assessment I will read your manuscript thoroughly and provide a detailed report, giving an overview of strengths and weaknesses and commenting on aspects such as structure, plot, pace, characterisation and style.
What is included:
A detailed editorial report.
A step-by-step strategy for how to revise and improve your work.
You’re interested in working with me?
Great! so What HAPPENS next?
What I need from you:
In order to provide a quote I will need to know the total word count of the manuscript and to see a sample of your work (three chapters or around 5,000 words). A synopsis would also be useful but is not essential.
What you will get from me:
I will assess your sample and provide you with a no-obligation quote. If you are happy to proceed, we will agree a deadline and a brief for the edit.
Pricing and payment:
Fees are agreed on a per job basis. A 50% deposit will be payable once you submit your full manuscript to me for editing, with the remainder due when I deliver the edit to you.
