Editing FAQs

Clients often come to me after already having had their manuscript copy-edited, only to have it rejected again by the acquisitions editor because it still has structural issues and needs more editing. While most copy-editors are able to correct basic errors in syntax and punctuation, few have the skills required to handle analyses of complex qualitative and quantitative data, discipline-specific theoretical concepts, and nuanced academic arguments. Good editing by someone with a broad interdisciplinary education is hard to come by. I bring to your work the ability to discern your argument in the morass of words and understand the implications of your analysis no matter what your field of expertise.

These terms refer to different stages in production of a manuscript. A copy-editor usually works on a version of manuscript after it has been accepted for publication. Copy-editors correct relatively minor errors of punctuation, wording, and syntax throughout the article or book, including figure captions, table data, and endnotes. They also compare citations against references and format the manuscript in accordance with the publisher’s style guide.

Proofreading occurs after page proofs have been generated. In the past, independent proofreaders were hired by publishers to compare the proofs to the earlier copy-edited manuscript to make sure all the requested corrections had been made and no new errors had been introduced by the typesetters or compositors. Nowadays, it is mostly left up to authors to catch and correct errors in the page proofs before publication.

No, I am not a ghost-writer and I do not analyse data on behalf of my clients. Approach me only after you have completed your analysis and have at least a working outline of a manuscript. I can read through an early draft and give you sufficient feedback for you to develop it into a full article or book.

This depends on the manuscript’s length in words, the kind of editing required, and how many revisions it has already gone through. Content and line-editing papers or book chapters, especially if written by non-native English speakers, averages around 2-3 pages per hour. One editing 'page' = 250 words, so an 8000 word manuscript (32 editing pages) could take 10-16 hours.

If structural changes or advice on multiple drafts are needed, it could take longer. Having me check citations and references or format the manuscript following a publisher’s style guide will also add hours to the project. However, if the manuscript is logically sound, with good transitions between sections, and only needs minor line- and copy-editing, it can progress as quickly as 4-5 pages an hour.

I can estimate the scope of the work after I see your manuscript.

I keep track of the time I spend on your project and charge by the hour only for the actual work done. I usually invoice clients at the completion of a distinct phase in the project, or every couple of months if we are working on a long book project or meeting regularly. I charge a higher hourly rate for last minute projects that require me to work nights or weekends to meet a fixed deadline.

Each client is responsible for ensuring I receive payment (in USD) for my work. Many of my regular clients obtain professional development funds from their institutions or include a budget item in their research grants to pay for my services.

My availability fluctuates throughout the year, with February-April and August-October being the busiest periods. I organize my schedule on a first-come, first-served basis, although I take the length and complexity of each project and any submission or publication deadlines into consideration. I can usually fit in a quick development edit or final copy-edit of a short article or chapter within two weeks of receiving the manuscript, provided you contact me ahead of time to let me know when to expect it.