How much does it cost?
I provide a custom quotation for every job. Two cents per word (in US dollars) is a generally accepted minimum for light editing work, so the cost can be as low as $20 per 1000 words.
Do I have to pay in advance?
Yes, but the payment is handled by a third party (Peerwith). Peerwith will request payment from you before I begin the work and then hold the money until it is complete, at which point they will relese the funds to me. The great advantage of this is that I do not receive any money until I deliver the work to your satisfaction.
What is the difference between language editing, copyediting and proofreading?
Language editing is a service usually provided to writers who are working in English as a second (or third, or fourth) language. It involves correcting grammar, punctuation and spelling, and improving expression, word choice and readability. It can be equally useful for native English speakers, if they are not confident with their grammer or written expression.
Copyediting takes an article or other piece of writing (copy) that is finished but not ready for typesetting, and polishes it for the purpose of publication. For academic work, this generally means editing a document to meet the recommendations of a style guide (APA, Chicago, Harvard, etc.) or the customised requirements of the journal or book publisher – including the format of citations and bibliography, headings and document formatting, etc. It also includes light editing of the content of the writing for consistency and correctness.
It is increasingly common for language editing and copyediting to be done as a single job, returning a document ready for submission to an academic publisher.
Proofreading is the checking of proofs. This is a final step before an article goes into print, and serves as a final check to pick up any typesetting errors or other mistakes that have slipped through. If you have received proofs from your publisher, you can send them to me for that one last meticulous read through.
What file formats do you accept?
For copyediting and language editing I prefer to work with Microsoft Word files (.docx, .doc) because the Track Changes functionality provided in Word is the most efficient method of communicating my suggested revisions. Formats that can easily be converted to Word (such as .rtf) are fine.
However, I am happy to work with other formats as required, either by converting them to .docx or by working with alternative proofing tools. Please let me know if you are working with a different file type and I will suggest a suitable method for the work to proceed.
Proofreading should be done on .pdf files, because these reflect how the document wll appear in print.
Can you provide an invoice or editing certificate?
Yes, I can provide you with an invoice and am also happy to send you a certificate on request if your publisher asks for proof that you have engaged an editing service. There is no extra charge for this.
What kinds of work do you accept?
I offer an academic editing service, and generally work with academics, students and researchers. While I specialise in the social sciences and humanities, I am happy to work across all disciplines. I also have experience with reports, grant applications, admission letters, and a range of other documents produced in and around academia.
