Our proofreaders check your manuscript carefully for spelling, punctuation, grammar, formatting and consistency. The aim is to remove distracting errors and help ensure the text is professionally presented before publication.
Where more extensive help is required, editing can address structure, clarity, style, continuity and repetition. Our editor will provide constructive suggestions and guidance; as the author, you decide which changes to accept.
Proofreading is the process of eliminating the errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar in a text, as well as ensuring the formatting of your text is professionally prepared and carefully checked (eg. page numbering).
Editing takes a much more holistic approach to check and improve your manuscript. An Editor will read your entire manuscript and provide expert feedback on elements of structure, style, character development and continuity.
High-quality books are typically both edited and proofread to help improve quality and achieve a professional standard.
We prefer to edit digital files in Microsoft Word format, although we do also accept PDFs. This is because we can use the 'Track Changes' function in Word documents, which shows all the changes that have been made in the document. Our editor will add comments and suggestions throughout and send the document back to you in digital form.
If your manuscript is handwritten, it will first need to be typed up before we can edit it. This service will incur an additional charge.
Usually, it’s best to get as far as you can on your own before using a professional editor. Read through your manuscript and eliminate obvious and easy mistakes before sending your work to be edited. This way, you will know you are getting the most out of your editor. Be prepared though – once you’ve got an expert on board you may need to make more major changes!
Even the best writers make mistakes; it’s easy to use the wrong homophone or miss out a word when you’re in the flow of writing. Even after checking multiple times, it’s likely there are still pesky errors hidden in the text. Proofreading is a vital service used by even the most experienced writers, as it ensures that the tiny errors which can affect the overall quality of the book are eliminated. We strongly suggest having your book proofread, as these types of errors can really affect the response you might get from your future readers.
There’s nothing stopping you from editing your own book. However, our editors are experienced and skilled professionals who will help you elevate your work to its best. A professional editor can also offer objective, constructive and honest advice on elements of your work beyond simple errors, including guidance on narrative structure and character developments, as well as stylistic features.
Editing time is dependent on the length of your book and our current capacity; get in touch and we’ll give you a heads up on how long we think it will take!
Of course! You are the author, after all. Once the editor has completed their first edit of your work, they will send the document back to you. You will be able to see what they have done, answer any queries your editor has raised and accept or reject any suggestions they have made. The editor will then amend the text in accordance with your instructions. If you require further changes after this point, we will be happy to help you, but you may be charged for the additional editorial time. (Don’t worry, we’ll always discuss additional costs with you before going ahead.)
Not sure which publishing or printing services you need? Simply tell us about your book and where you are in the process. We'll review your requirements and advise you on the most appropriate next steps.
