Why do I even need an editor in the first place? Why can’t I edit my own work?
Anyone can edit their own work, but it’s not recommended (even among editors!). The reason it’s a good idea to have someone else edit your work is because you, as the content creator, have become both emotionally and physically close to your words. They’re a part of you. So it’s hard for most people to take a step back from something they really care about and look it at objectively to try and find any areas of improvement—whether your craft is songwriting, cooking, or writing. In addition, by the time you’ve produced your final version of a piece, you have read it over and over so many times that you can’t even “see” the words anymore—you practically know them by heart. In that way, it becomes easy to overlook typos, missing words, punctuation errors, or misused words (such as “there” instead of “their”). My job is not to criticize or attack your work. My job is to help you make sure your writing is polished and refined. Think of it as the putting final decorations on a cake!
Why can’t you edit and proofread my document at the same time? Why do you list two different prices for editing and proofreading—why aren’t they same?
This is a fairly common question. The reason editing and proofreading can’t be done at the same time is because many times, editorial changes and/or comments will require a bit of rewriting or tweaking either on the writer’s end or the editor’s, and as a result, other parts of the text may change, additional text may be added, or some existing content may be deleted or shifted. Any editorial change to content makes it no longer “final” content; rather, it turns it back into a working document. It is only once the content is revised, reviewed, and finalized that proofreading should be done. While it sounds tedious to have two separate steps, it’s actually a time-saver for both parties. It doesn’t add value to take the time to proofread content that may be changed or even deleted. Of course, that doesn’t mean if I see a typo while I’m editing that I won’t fix it and just wait to “catch it” in proofreading. But editing and proofreading are two different skill sets- when I’m editing, I’m examining words and phrases for grammatical accuracy, structure, flow, and tone. When I’m proofreading, I’m looking for typos, misused words, bad breaks (widows or orphans), spacing issues, punctuation, and capitalization. Since proofreading is a more straightforward skill set, the rates are smaller.
Do you specialize in any particular topic or genre, or only take on certain clients?
While I spent ten years proofreading and editing for a financial company, I do not focus on any particular genre. In my corporate position, I read everything from fund fact sheets to new hire orientation materials to health and wellness newsletters for employees. As a freelancer, I edit anything and everything. Past and present projects include food and beverage articles, event management articles, medical press releases, case studies, business leadership presentations, blogs, and fiction novels, to name just a few. While most of my clients are freelance writers or self-published authors, anyone with a story to tell is encouraged.
Past and current clients include:
Harvard Business Review
Indigenous Nutritionist
Nikki Perlow Foundation
Brain, Child magazine
Chilled magazine (currently on the masthead as Executive Editor)
Do you specialize in any certain style guide (such as Chicago or AP)?
I do not exclusively use any one style guide; rather, I adhere to the client’s preference or use the most appropriate style guide for the project. When I worked for a financial corporation, I followed The Gregg Reference Manual, which I still use often. However, I am familiar with and have utilized other style guides, such as Chicago, AP, and MLA. Gregg and Chicago are the ones I’m the most acquainted with, but if you have a preferred style guide, please let me know. I also have experience in international editing and proofreading, and am well-versed in British English and the University of Oxford Style Guide.
Can you help me get published?
I do not have experience with book marketing or publishing. However, I am affiliated with literary agent Kizzy Brooks (likemynovel.com), who can help you with your publishing and promotional needs. If you are interested in self-publishing, I can work with Kizzy to supply you with a list of resources.
Can I get a free quote to see about how much your services would cost me?
Absolutely!
What is the turnaround time for your services?
Turnaround times vary per project. We will work together to establish a deadline that works for both parties.
What file formats do you accept?
I accept Microsoft Word documents, as well as PDFs (enabled documents are preferred).
At this time, I only accept payments via PayPal. Please note that some manuscripts will require a 50% deposit, particularly for new clients or large projects.