Editing and proofreading
Editing that strengthens your book without replacing your voice
Every manuscript benefits from a second pair of trained eyes. We match the level of editing to what your book actually needs, from big-picture structure to the final comma.
- Sample edit to agree the right level of editing
- Tracked changes you can accept or reject
- Editorial letter explaining key recommendations
- Style sheet for consistent names, spellings and terms
Let’s Get Started!
Overview
Choosing the right kind of editing
“Editing” covers several very different jobs. A developmental edit looks at whether the story or argument works. A line edit improves the prose sentence by sentence. A copyedit fixes grammar, consistency and usage. A proofread is the final check for errors after the book has been typeset.
Paying for the wrong kind wastes money: a proofread cannot fix a sagging middle act, and a structural edit is unnecessary for a polished manuscript. We review a sample of your work and recommend the stage that will make the biggest difference.
What's included
How we work with your manuscript
Sample assessment
We review an excerpt and recommend the appropriate level of editing before you commit.
Tracked changes
All edits are made with tracked changes, so you keep full control of your text.
Editorial notes
Comments explain the reasoning behind significant suggestions.
Style sheet
A record of spellings, names, capitalisation and style decisions for consistency.
Quality checks
A final consistency pass covering headings, numbering and cross-references.
Proofreading after layout
A final read of the typeset pages to catch errors introduced or missed earlier.
Levels of editing compared
| Level | Focuses on | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Developmental edit | Structure, plot or argument, pacing, character, gaps and repetition | Completed drafts that need big-picture feedback |
| Line edit | Clarity, rhythm, word choice and voice at sentence and paragraph level | Structurally sound manuscripts whose prose needs polishing |
| Copyedit | Grammar, punctuation, consistency, usage and factual slips | Near-final manuscripts before layout |
| Proofread | Typos, layout errors, missing words and widows or orphans | Typeset pages immediately before publication |
Workflow
Our editing process
Sample and recommendation
We assess an excerpt and recommend the editing level and timeline.
Edit
Your manuscript is edited with tracked changes and comments.
Review
You accept, reject or query changes; we answer questions and clarify suggestions.
Final check
A clean-up pass or post-layout proofread completes the process.
Who it's for
Is this service right for you?
Book Editing and Proofreading is a good fit for:
- Novelists preparing to self-publish
- Non-fiction authors who need clarity and consistency
- Authors who received rejections and want objective feedback
- Writers whose English is a second language
Not sure this is the right service?
Many authors need a combination of services, or a different starting point than they expected. Tell us where your book is today and we will recommend the best next step.
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Questions about Book Editing and Proofreading
Can't find what you're looking for? Contact us and we'll answer your questions directly.
Ask a questionWill editing change my voice?
It should not. A good editor clarifies what you are trying to say rather than rewriting it in their style. Tracked changes mean you approve every edit.
Do I need a proofread if my book has been copyedited?
Yes, ideally. Layout can introduce new errors, and a fresh read of the typeset pages catches problems that are easy to miss in a word processor.
Which style guide do you follow?
We usually follow a standard style guide appropriate to your market, adapted to your preferences. Decisions are recorded in the style sheet.
Can you edit both US and UK English?
Yes. Tell us your preferred spelling convention and we will apply it consistently.
Not sure what level of editing you need?
Send us details of your manuscript and we will recommend the right starting point.