The nitty-gritty of the editing process…

How do we start?

Get in contact with me! Tell me about your project and what type of editorial services you require (maybe you don’t know, and that’s ok! We can discuss this in more detail).

I may ask to see a sample, so that I can perform an initial, no cost, edit. This will help me to ascertain timelines, the required level of editing, and cost.

Ok, I want to commit. Now what?

I draw up a contract which includes, among other items, fees and payment; timing and format of deliveries; confidentiality clauses; and a clear description of the editorial project’s scope.

I’ll usually expect a 50% deposit before starting work.

And then I just wait?

Yes! I return the document to you, in the timescale that we have agreed upon, with my edits and comments. The difference between necessary corrections and suggestions will be clear. Any large or important edits will be explained.

I include a letter with an overview of my editing, discussion on any large issues, and instructions for how to accept or reject the changes (if we are using a word document).

Hold on—I have questions about your edits!

Of course! There may be edits you are unsure about, edits you do not like, or others you wish to discuss further.

We can do this using whatever method of communication works for you (e.g. continuing to email the file back and forth, using email and cutting and pasting relevant parts of the text, over the phone, etc.).

Best practice would be for me to go over the manuscript after this back-and-forth, giving it a final look.

I welcome and invite questions and feedback about the work I have done. I am here to support you, the author, through the stressful and difficult process of getting your work into its best possible shape.

My work is in LaTeX, can you still help me?

Sure can! File formats I work with include

MS Word or LibreOffice using track changes (preferable for documents requiring stylistic editing or a large number of changes)

LaTeX (via an editing tool such as Overleaf or TeXnic Centre)

PDF (with Adobe Acrobat Pro)

Adobe InDesign

Plain text (.txt files)

Hard copy