I offer you …

 

A poor fit offers you …

 

Advocacy

With every edit, I explain what can be improved and how. You will be pointed in the direction of resources that can help you hone specific areas of craft. As for what you do well – rest assured that I’ll point it out.

Criticism

Good editing should never leave an author feeling judged or discouraged. If an editor makes you feel this way, they’re not the right editor for you.

Honesty and transparency

From the outset, I’ll be clear about what you get (and don’t get). You can expect a detailed service agreement and transparent fees, so you know exactly what the fee buys you. And my free sample edit service helps you make up your mind.

False promises

Be very wary of editors promising perfection; editors who over-promise can end up with disappointed clients. No edit is error-free.

An editor should never promise to do ‘everything’ (different level of editing cannot be done thoroughly in one pass). If an editor tells you they can edit your manuscript in two days, or make your book a bestseller, or that they specialise in every genre … be very suspicious.

Experience

I have many years of working with books under my belt, first as an English teacher and then as a trained editor and proofreader. My practice is underpinned by problem-solving skills and a depth of knowledge that only time and experience can augment.

Amateurish service

An inexperienced editor may, unintentionally or otherwise, do some or all of the following:

• Rewrite sentences to sound like themselves rather than the author.
• Apply rules rigidly and without nuance.
• Leave blunt, demoralising comments.
• Misunderstand the scope of the project.
• Lack verifiable credentials or membership of respected organisations such as the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading.

Extras

I do more than edit your copy directly:

• With every edit I supply a detailed, tailored style sheet, outlining editorial decisions. This helps you, as an author, to check consistency in your work. And the style sheet comes into its own if you write a series of books – it’s an invaluable aid that ensures ongoing consistency.
• You also receive a detailed editorial report. This document highlights the strengths in your work and explains where improvements have been made. Most importantly, you are provided with solutions, including links to appropriate learning tools.

Bare minimum

This is what many editors offer, as standard:

• The edited manuscript with tracked changes and comments, but little else.
• Sometimes a brief covering note summarising the main issues, leaving the author to interpret changes and act unguided.

This is baseline service.

 

 

Sample edits

You can sample the quality of my work without any financial commitment, which has a number of benefits:

• You can judge quality and fit before paying; it’s a personalised demonstration of what I can do for your manuscript.
• It reduces uncertainty, especially for authors who are using an editor for the first time.
• It builds trust and confidence between author and editor.
• It helps you make an informed decision, with no sales pressure!

Leap of faith

Testimonials and portfolio samples can only tell you so much. An editor may be great, but they may not be a good fit for your work.

Choosing an editor who doesn’t offer sample edits is a real leap of faith – not to mention a potential drain on your precious resources.