Services

I offer manuscript assessments, copy-editing, writing coaching and proofreading services. Broad descriptions of these services are outlined below, but there may be some overlap between them. Maybe you’d like a combination of a structural edit and a copy-edit. Because every writer has different needs, I can tailor my services to provide exactly the type of edit you need. If you’re looking for an editor for your picture book, you’ll find more information here. You can also consult my fiction and children’s books page or my non-fiction page for more information about those services. If you’re at the start of a project and would like some help with your writing before you get in too deep, you might like to engage me as a writing coach. Contact me so that we can discuss what you require and how we can make it fit your budget.

Manuscript assessment

​A manuscript assessment is a professional report that gives you feedback on your manuscript's strengths and weaknesses.

​It will point out ways in which your manuscript might be improved to make it more publishable.
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In my assessment of your manuscript I will write a report that addresses the plot, narrative, characters and voice, commenting on your overall structure, content and style.

Copy-editing

Copy-editing involves marking up a manuscript to prepare it for the next stage, e.g. submission to a publisher or a typesetter.
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​My copy-editing service includes: 

• ensuring that spelling, punctuation and grammar are correct and consistent and (where applicable) conform to house style
• basic checking of factual accuracy
• checking elements like tables, charts, illustrations, footnotes and endnotes: are they correct and well placed?
• advice on the voice, pace, dialogue, characterisation: are they clear, consistent and compelling?
• advice on sentence structure, style and content, to help you ‘tighten up’ your writing and ensure that your text says exactly what you want it to say, elegantly and without ambiguity or repetition.

Proofreading

Proofreading takes place later in the publishing process, usually after a manuscript has been typeset and just before it goes to print or  online. This is the final chance to make corrections to text, formatting or headings, and changes would be minimal.
My proofreading service includes:

• comparing proofs to edited copy
• checking spelling, punctuation and grammar for accuracy and consistency
• checking page numbers, headings, tables of contents, captions, appendices, cross-references etc
• ensuring that style is consistent and conforms to house style
• checking for omissions and inconsistencies in typography, layout and content​

Structural editing

Like a manuscript assessment, a structural edit is generally performed in the early stages of a manuscript’s development. It’s not the final refinement of a text at sentence level; it’s a ‘big picture’ look at the overall structure, flow and language of your draft. If I do a structural edit on your manuscript, I’ll advise on how you might arrange the chapters more logically, or how you might speed up or slow down the pace; how to bring your characters to life; or how you might improve the consistency of your narrator’s voice. If your book is non-fiction, I might advise you on how images or tables might help you get your message across, or how to handle notes and/or citations. I can alert you on any potential legal, ethical or copyright issues.

Writing coaching

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​If you have a work in progress, I can help you develop it. As a writing coach, I’ll read your work and give written feedback on the strengths and weaknesses in your writing. We’ll discuss this feedback and I’ll advise you on techniques to help hone your writing skills. You can use my feedback to shape subsequent chapters on your own, or you can engage me to work with you for the rest of your book – it’s up to you. This service is particularly valuable for new authors or authors with little industry experience.