Services

Is your writing ready to be edited or, at this stage, would you benefit more from a manuscript assessment? Fees for the different services vary. Editing takes longer than proofreading or manuscript assessment and so is more expensive, but in practice the different services often overlap.

Manuscript assessment

A manuscript assessment, commonly used for fiction, can alert you to problems you can fix yourself, and so is the least expensive service.

Does your writing work? If not, why not? What works and what doesn’t?

I read through the entire manuscript once and provide a written report on the mechanics of storytelling, such as concept, storyline, character development, point of view, flow, plot development, conflict resolution, expression, voice, dialogue and style.

I also provide sample edits to show how you can edit your own work as much as possible.

Structural edit

Still looking at the bigger picture, a structural (or substantive or developmental) edit is a hands-on first-step edit looking at, for example, structure and order, completeness, consistency of voice for multi-author works, the need for any illustrative material or rewriting, flow, and appropriateness for the target audience.

This is the most expensive type of edit.

Copyedit

A  copyedit is a line-by-line edit of:

  • language: grammar, spelling, syntax and expression
  • consistency of terms and style within the document
  • references (cross-checking citations with reference list to required style), acknowledgment of sources, and legal issues.

I discuss any questions I might have with you.

Proofreading

At this final stage before publication, only essential changes should be made. It involves:

  • checking copy against copy, corrections, completeness, headers and footers
  • proofreading for spelling and punctuation errors, typos, bad line or page breaks, cross-referencing
  • checking conformity with house style
  • scrutinising formatting and layout.

The Canberra Society of Editors provides an excellent, detailed list of the elements in the various kinds of editing.