About my services
1
Copyediting
In traditional publishing, a text is copyedited after the large-scale editing is complete, and before the design/layout stage. Some of the tasks involved are as follows:
-
Correcting errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, style and usage
-
Ensuring consistency of style in the text, e.g. in the use of capital letters, italics or quotation marks
-
Improving clarity where necessary by rewording or reformatting text
-
Ensuring consistency of the author’s style or ‘voice’, whether informal, semi-formal or formal
-
Checking cross-references within a text (e.g. where another chapter is referred to)
-
Checking facts
-
Checking plausibility and consistency of arguments
-
Querying non-inclusive language or language that is potentially legally problematic
-
In fiction, ensuring consistency of elements such as character names and physical descriptions
-
Liaising with the author or client on anything that the copyeditor cannot resolve by themselves, such as missing text or questions over preferred style.
2
Proofreading
This is the final quality check before publication. There is some overlap with copyediting, but the main distinction is that it does not usually include interventions that involve re-wording or re-structuring text. It will not normally include fact-checking either, though a proofreader will confer with their client if something looks wrong. Proofreading tasks include:
-
Checking for typos, inconsistencies in spelling, hyphenation and capitalisation, and errors in punctuation
-
Checking consistency of formatting of text elements such as headings, paragraphs and lists
-
Checking page numbers (including cross-referencing them against the Contents page), headers, footers and any footnotes or endnotes
-
Checking text and figures in tables, diagrams and charts, and ensuring captions on images are correct
-
Flagging up missing or repeated text
-
Keeping track of how any changes may affect the existing page layout
-
Liaising with the author on any queries the proofreader cannot resolve by themselves.
3
Proof-editing
This is a single-stage edit of a text prior to publication, incorporating both copyediting and proofreading elements. It is more involved than a proofread and therefore takes longer.
It is my practice to discuss with potential clients exactly what their requirements are when they ask for this service, as different texts will require different kinds of intervention. This helps to ensure there is a clear understanding of expectations at the outset of the project.
4
Project workflow
A project will usually involve the following steps, the schedule for which I will discuss with the client before the project begins:
-
Once a Work Agreement is signed and in place (see here), the client sends me the text, and I complete a full edit of the work as per the project requirements. This will include raising queries on any matters I am unable to resolve by myself.
-
I return the edited work to the author to review and respond to any queries. At this stage, I ask the client not to delete comments or accept/reject changes, but to flag up anything they wish to query.
-
After reviewing the text, the client returns it to me to resolve the queries and run final checks.
-
I return the fully edited text to the client, usually as a clean copy with Track Changes switched off, though I can also supply a marked up copy as well if required.
