Frequently Asked Questions

Why don't you have your rates listed on your site?

What's the difference between structural editing and copy editing?

How does the manuscript editing process work?

Why don’t you have your rates listed on your site?
We calculate our rates on a project-by-project basis.
No two publications are the same and they rarely require the same amount of time or effort, even if they have the same number of words or pages. Rather than offering a flat rate and generic editing and writing services, we tailor our services to suit your publication and your requirements. We pride ourselves on our attention to detail and close involvement with every job we take on.
Please contact us for a quote and we’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.

What level of editing do I need?
It depends what sort of document or publication you’re talking about and what you plan to do with it.
Generally, a complete, fully-edited document that’s ready for publishing or distribution will have been through three levels of checking, which are covered broadly by the term “comprehensive editing”. These three levels are:

1. Structural editing ( also known as "substantive" editing, this checks content, structure, flow, style, clarity, consistency, plot elements etc.)

2. Copy editing (this checks accuracy and consistency of the overall publication as well as that of language, spelling, grammar, punctuation, sentence construction, vocabulary, tense etc.)

3. Proofreading (this is the last read-through and check to ensure the final manuscript is ready for publication/presentation/distribution.)

What’s the difference between structural editing and copy editing?
A structural edit concentrates on the flow, style, logic and consistency of the document. Is it easy to understand and use? Does it make sense? Is it accessible to the reader?
A structural edit will involve going through the content, structure, language and style. In order to achieve clarity and accessibility to the reader, it may therefore involve some rewording and restructuring. It will include an overall review of the document to establish whether the document fulfils its purpose; whether there is a need for additional material such as a glossary, illustrations, map or index; and whether the document is user-friendly and easy to navigate. This is also the time to analyse whether the structure itself is functional or whether the content needs rearranging into more logical order or into another form such as a table or illustration.
If it’s a work of fiction, plot elements will be checked to make sure everything is consistent – including character behaviour and appearance, tracking for plot holes etc.
In a work of non-fiction or corporate documents, the same concepts apply: we will check to make sure that all theories and concepts remain sound and consistent throughout the work, that any formulae or quotes or similar are reproduced the same way each time; that no material seems to be missing etc.

Copy editing focuses more on removing mistakes, errors and inconsistencies from the document. It looks closely at the details of language, spelling and punctuation and consistency of style in terms of both language and layout. Text will be checked for house style. Sources and references will be checked. Where appropriate, facts will be checked and/or queried. Lists, illustrations, glossaries, contents etc. will all be checked for missing or incorrect entries.
This is a much more detailed edit to ensure everything is as it should be; for example, ensuring characters' appearances are consistent throughout the work; making sure that actions have consequences (ie: if a character closes a door, they must then open it in order to leave the room again, and so on).
Often a second, lower-level check of structural elements is done again at this stage ie: character consistency, plot elements, document flow and so on. Because the manuscript or document may have undergone major rewrites following the initial structural edit, the editor may double-check these elements during the copy editing process.
Alternatively, the document may have come to the copy edit stage straight from draft, by-passing the structural edit altogether. In this case, copy editing will cover both structural and copy editing elements.

How does the manuscript editing process work?

Once you have sent us your manuscript, either in hard or soft copy, we will take several weeks to work on it. If you have sent a hard copy, we will mark up the pages in pencil* where any corrections are recommended and we will also make notes in the margins where we have queries or further comments. If the manuscript is in soft copy, we will make corrections using track changes, so you can accept or reject any changes made.
In most cases, a report is attached to the edit, outlining any further issues encountered during editing and expanding, where necessary, on any queries or comments noted on the manuscript.
Once the edit is completed it is returned to you, ready for any questions or comments you may have.

*This, like track changes on a soft copy, is to make sure that changes are flexible and easily amended or removed by the author. Editing/reading/writing is subjective and it is possible that changes suggested by your editor to resolve certain plot problems may not work with other ideas you have for your story or, alternatively, they may spark a completely different idea. It is rare that there is only one solution and we prefer to work with our authors to help them develop their stories and manuscripts in a way that reflects their own style and voice.