Copy-editing service from experienced and professional book copy-editor
If you have finished the final draft of your fiction novel, non-fiction book or short story, as a freelance book copy-editor, I will make sure your book, novel or ebook is edited to a professional standard prior to publication.
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Do you need a UK book copy-editing service to check the sentence structure and flow, quality of wording, ensure the text is succinct, and eliminate spelling, punctuation and grammar errors? Whether you require novel editing services or book editing for a non-fiction manuscript, I will amend these areas so you're ready to self-publish or send a submission to an agent or publisher.
This process automatically includes my proofreading service, so if you would only like the spelling, grammar and punctuation checked, please check out my Book Proofreading Service. |
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Professional book editing at competitive rates, my copy-editing services offer a thorough and reliable service, and a quick turnaround (subject to availability). As well as my editing service and book proofreading service, I also provide an Ebook Formatting Service. Please note, I only edit UK English text, and I carry out all book copy-editing online.
Copy-Editing Process
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Copy-editing ensures your book manuscript is ready for publication by checking for spelling, punctuation and grammar errors; amending inconsistencies of hyphenation, capitalisation and use of italics; addressing missing information, plot holes and contradictions; improving the quality of word usage and sentence structure; and removing unnecessary and redundant wording. The following are checked and amended for the copy-editing service: |
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What Are the Differences between Editing and Proofreading?
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MY EDITING AND PROOFREADING SERVICES AT A GLANCE
Features of Each Service |
Proofreading Service |
Copy-Editing Service |
Spelling mistakes and typos |
✔ |
✔ |
Punctuation errors |
✔ |
✔ |
Grammar errors |
✔ |
✔ |
Consistency of tense |
✔ |
✔ |
Subject–verb agreement |
✔ |
✔ |
Capitalisation and hyphenation errors |
✔ |
✔ |
Dialogue punctuation and formatting (as required) |
✔ |
✔ |
Amend quality of word usage and flow of text |
✖ |
✔ |
Improve sentence and paragraph structure |
✖ |
✔ |
Ensures text is concise and removes redundant wording |
✖ |
✔ |
Awkward phrasing is revised without losing the author's voice and style |
✖ |
✔ |
Copy-Editing Service Rates
Cost is advised on an individual basisThe requirements of each client are different and every job is unique, so my rates are dependent on the subject matter, word count, required turnaround time, and the amount of editing required (the amount of corrections and amendments needed).
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Additional WorkOnce the manuscript has been returned, one further revision is carried out after the client has checked the changes and amendments. Any further changes made by the client to the text or formatting/layout which results in additional work to rectify is charged at £25 per hour (minimum charge £25).
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How to Make PaymentI accept payment by debit card, credit card, PayPal account and bank transfer.
See my Terms and Conditions for more information. |
Please note:
- I charge per 1,000 words, not per mistake or by the hour.
- There is a minimum charge of £50 for all services.
- Quotations are valid for 30 days from the date provided.
- I do not copy-edit text that has been written by an author with English as a second language / the text has been translated from a foreign language.
- I do not copy-edit data or text applied to or within photographs, images, illustrations or tables/graphs/charts/etc.
Even excellent writers use more words than necessary, construct sentences that are difficult to follow or could improve the quality of their wording. Even though you've reread your manuscript a dozen times, there may still be clunky sentences, misspellings, grammar errors, rambling prose and inconsistencies.
Copy-editing is important as it ensures that published material encompasses the the 5 Cs of copy-editing:
Copy-editing is important as it ensures that published material encompasses the the 5 Cs of copy-editing:
- Clarity
- Correct
- Concise
- Comprehensive
- Consistent
It pays to spot any errors early as there is never a second chance to make a first impression. Publishers and agents won’t accept work with typos or grammatical errors. If you’re self-publishing, the greatest story will not be enjoyable for readers if it’s littered with mistakes that could have easily been corrected.
Copy-editing is perfect for manuscripts where the writing needs to be tightened, improved and polished prior to self-publishing or submitting a sample to an agent/publisher.
You’ve spent a lot of time and effort writing your book, so an experienced and professional book editing service will turn your great book into a fantastic book. One that flows well, engages readers and is free from errors. You want your book to be the best it can to realise its potential.
When you’ve worked on your book for a period of time, you read what you expect to see. Spotting the simplest of errors and inconsistencies is difficult because you can’t distance yourself from your own writing. Being objective becomes challenging, so it’s time to use professional editorial services to work through and finalise your manuscript so it’s ready for publication.
You’ve spent a lot of time and effort writing your book, so an experienced and professional book editing service will turn your great book into a fantastic book. One that flows well, engages readers and is free from errors. You want your book to be the best it can to realise its potential.
When you’ve worked on your book for a period of time, you read what you expect to see. Spotting the simplest of errors and inconsistencies is difficult because you can’t distance yourself from your own writing. Being objective becomes challenging, so it’s time to use professional editorial services to work through and finalise your manuscript so it’s ready for publication.
Copy-editing is carried out when the plot, storyline, narrative structure, characterisation, etc. are final. As you wouldn’t build a house without laying the foundations, you wouldn’t copy-edit a book that needs restructuring or rewriting. This service is NOT the option if any of the following apply:
- The writing needs rewriting or restructuring.
- You need a ghostwriter.
- You need in-depth fact checking.
- You need someone to project manage the process of researching, writing and promoting your book.
- To check if there are problems with copyright or plagiarism.
- Also, this service is more in-depth than proofreading – check out my Book Proofreading Service page for more information on this service.
If you need an even deeper edit to reorganise the structure, to strengthen characterisation or to change the storyline arc or plot, for example, then you will need a developmental editor (also called substantive or structural editor) to help you. I don’t offer this service, but I can provide recommendations if you contact me using the form link below.
A developmental edit is a more expensive service due to the work involved, but it will be beneficial if you’ve hit a roadblock with regards to where you want to take your story or if you need to restructure your chapters to incorporate flashbacks, for example. If any sections need rewriting or restructuring, developmental editing is the level of service you need.
A developmental edit is a more expensive service due to the work involved, but it will be beneficial if you’ve hit a roadblock with regards to where you want to take your story or if you need to restructure your chapters to incorporate flashbacks, for example. If any sections need rewriting or restructuring, developmental editing is the level of service you need.
Book Editor for Hire
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I am trained in editing and proofreading through the College of Media and Publishing where I qualified with distinction. I have experience working with authors of fiction and non-fiction in many different genres from chick lit to thriller and memoirs to self-help.
See a selection of the books I have worked on and client testimonials here ► I will save you the time of making sure grammar rules are adhered to, learning how to punctuate dialogue, or checking for inconsistencies and errors. As a trained and experienced editor, I will check and amend your manuscript without losing your voice and writing style so you can self-publish or send a sample to an agent/publisher with confidence. |
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It’s difficult to notice mistakes in your own writing because you can’t stand back as a ‘reader’ when you’re so close and involved in the text. I will ensure your manuscript is error-free and written to the highest quality – no job is too small or too large.
How I Work
Example of Tracked Changes feature used in Microsoft Word. Click image to enlarge.
- After I receive the manuscript in a Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx file), I apply amendments using the Track Changes function. This will enable the author to clearly see the changes that have been made during the copy-editing stage.
- The author can see all the deletions, insertions and formatting corrections whilst maintaining the original document. This allows you to see the amendments before accepting them. Check out this Microsoft support article on accepting/rejecting amendments in Word.
- I also provide explanations of changes I have made and offer suggestions using the comment boxes. Check out this Microsoft support article to delete the comments.
- As well as returning the file which shows all the changes, I also provide a final version with all the amendments incorporated and any comments removed so you can use this 'clean' version to amend as appropriate or self-publish/send to publishers/literary agents.
- Once the documents are returned, if the client makes further changes or additions to the copy-edited text or the document as a whole and this results in further errors or discrepancies or more text to copy-edit, these will be classed as out of scope. Therefore, an hourly rate will be charged to amend/work through.
For help self-publishing your book, check out my articles: |
For information on book promotion and marketing, please check out my articles: |
Contact Book Editing Services
If you would like to get in touch, let me know about your book and which service you're interested in by using the secure Contact Form. You can also use the form to discuss your editorial requirements, request a no-obligation quote or check availability.
Please read my Terms and Conditions if you would like to use my editorial services so you are familiar with how I work and the requirements of both parties. I look forward to hearing from you.
Please read my Terms and Conditions if you would like to use my editorial services so you are familiar with how I work and the requirements of both parties. I look forward to hearing from you.
