Working with a professional editor
Find out about what happens during editing, proofreading and formatting.
But before you hire a proofreader, editor or formatter, find out which editorial professional does what and when. Do you know what kind of editing you need? Are you ready for formatting? What can you do to help?
Read my free PDF guide to understand the different types of editing.
If you’re ready to get going, find out how to streamline the process by preparing your draft text for copyediting.
Learn more about each editorial service
The process depends on which service you need. Find out more about editing, proofreading and formatting services.
Editing
Working with you on your draft text before it’s designed in its final format for publishing.
Proofreading
Final quality checks of your formatted publication or content before publishing.
Formatting
Design and layout of your already edited text or preparation for final publication formatting.
What happens during editing?
I’ll ask you to provide:
- Your text (preferably in Word).
- Your images and figures (or reference copies to check).
- Your style guide if you have one, or your style preferences.
I’ll agree with you at the outset the best way of working. That usually means using Word’s Track Changes tool so that you can see my corrections and suggestions. I’ll also list any queries for you to answer. Once you’re happy with the changes, I’ll send you a final version ready for the next step of publication.
I can work with other formats, depending on your project, such as InDesign files and PowerPoint presentations. I’ll deliver the end result back to you in the most appropriate format for what you want to achieve.
Initial consultation
We’ll discuss your needs and preferences by email or in a quick online call so that I can tailor my editorial services to suit your publication goals.
Service delivery
Once you’ve sent me what I need, I’ll edit your text to our agreed brief. I’ll then send you suggested edits to review along with any queries to answer.
Review and support
Once I have your feedback and answers, I’ll finalise the text and send you the files you need for the next stage of publication.
Margaret is a consummate professional and a joy to work with. But it is not just attentiveness to detail that impressed me; the intelligence with which she offered solutions to tricky problems, and the cultural awareness that allowed her to suggest appropriate phrases for any context are just two aspects of her work that I would highlight specifically as outstanding.
Mark Hebwood, independent author
– self-help book
What happens during proofreading?
I’ll ask you to provide:
- Your layout as a PDF.
- Your style guide if you have one, or your style preferences.
- Your final edited text in Word (if you have it).
For proofreading of your final layout I’ll usually mark up a PDF file using the built-in commenting tools, which you can view using the free version of Adobe Reader. If I am also doing the final layout for you, I can make agreed changes and generate a new layout proof. If someone else is doing the layout, you or they can transfer any agreed changes to your original and produce the final files for publication.
If you’re not sure whether it’s editing or proofreading you need (or something else), it doesn’t matter. Get in touch, tell me about your project and I’ll advise on the best way to proceed.
Initial consultation
We’ll discuss your needs and preferences by email or in a quick online call so that I can tailor my editorial services to suit your publication goals.
Service delivery
Once you’ve sent me what I need, I’ll proofread your text to our agreed brief. I’ll then send you suggested changes to review along with any queries to answer.
Review and support
Once I have your feedback and answers, I’ll send you a final proof showing the changes for you or your designer to make in your final publication file.
Thanks for all of your eagle-eyed proofing! The edits were really helpful and easy to follow.
Laura Corbett, Ave Design
– organisation handbook
What happens during formatting?
I’ll ask you to provide:
- Your edited text (preferably in Word).
- Your final images (as separate files such as JPG).
- Your design ideas or preferences (I’ll help you decide).
Whether you are publishing a book or a simple business report, I’ll work with you to develop ideas into a page design. It can include your own branding, colours or fonts or I’ll suggest these for you. If you already have your own design spec or template, I can use that to do the layout.
You will get (depending on agreed services):
- A clean, correctly structured text document ready to go to your own designer OR
- If I’m preparing the final format, input to the design – I don’t use off-the-shelf templates but design just for you.
- A professional layout with a final PDF ready for printing or for digital publication.
- Correctly formatted ebook files ready for submission to KDP and other ebook platforms.
- Copies of original design files in case you need to make changes in future or want to take the work elsewhere.
Initial consultation
We’ll discuss your needs and preferences by email or in a quick online call so that I can tailor my editorial services to suit your publication goals.
Service delivery
If I’m doing the full layout for you, I’ll create a sample design and we’ll tweak that until you’re happy. I’ll then send you a layout proof to review. Or I’ll prep the text for your own designer to do the layout.
Review and support
Once I have your feedback and answers, I’ll send you the final files you need for publication in print, ebook or digital content. Or I’ll send a file for your own typesetter or designer to use for the final publication.
Pricing, payment and terms
Practicalities for using my editorial services.
Paying for editorial services
Because each job is different I’ll give you a free, no-obligation price and time estimate after we’ve had an initial discussion and I’ve seen at least a representative sample of your work. That allows me to assess what needs to be done, how I can best help you and how long it will take. If you decide to go ahead, I’ll agree more detailed terms with you.
Before we start I may ask you to pay some or all of the agreed fee in advance, for example if you are a new client or you are not based in the UK.
Business terms
All services are subject to my general terms and conditions, as well as any specific terms agreed with you for each job. Please read my terms as they are designed to protect your interests as well as mine. I’ll ask you to agree my terms once at the start of our working relationship and they’ll apply to all jobs I do for you thereafter.
I’ll treat all samples and documents provided by you as strictly confidential. You may also request that I don’t mention you or your project, for example in my list of clients or portfolio. I’ll carry out all work in accordance with the CIEP Code of Practice (the professional body for editors and proofreaders).