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Editorial services
Book manuscript editing
Professionally editing a book-length manuscript entails basic copyediting (that is, line-by-line correction of typos and errors of grammar, spelling, syntax, and usage); and additionally, as required: structural editing (revising, reorganizing, reducing, and writing in) and stylistic editing (adjusting for suitability to genre and audience, readability, clarity, and consistency of tone). Supplementary services include final review of the edited copy, explanatory editorial notes, and miscellaneous mentoring/advising, as needed during the work. All editing is done on screen using digital files: *.doc, *.docx, or *.rtf—please do not send hard copy.
Clients receive:
- a marked copy of the manuscript, showing editorial changes and comments
- a final, clean copy ready for layout or for submitting to agents and publishers
- a full editorial report on the manuscript and changes made to it
Formatting
Editing services usually include professional formatting of your book or ebook manuscript (setting up a table of contents and other front matter; introducing correct paragraph styles, pagination, and headers/footers; ensuring consistent font usage; and removing tabs and other extraneous spacing between words, sentences, and lines).
Please note that manuscript formatting is different from book layout. If you require book layout and cover design, please inquire for information and referrals.
Proofreading
Proofreading procedures vary from project to project. For information and a fee estimate, please send a sample of the work to be proofread (the first 20 pages), attached to your email as a Word *.doc, *.docx, *.rtf, or *.pdf file. Please inquire before sending other file formats.
Writing & rewriting
Editing and then some
In some cases, structural and stylistic editing might include significant rewriting of passages for correctness, clarity, and appropriate style. For similar reasons, some writing-in of new material to the original text may be required. The necessity for this level of creative editing is conveyed to, and approved by, the client in advance of work commencing. Major rewrites and write-ins are explained via in-text commentary and/or author-editor consultation as work progresses.
Manuscript Assessment
Well worth considering . . .
Before you commit to editing, you could save time and money with a manuscript assessment. Find out more . . .
Book proposal and query letter preparation
Get attention, get read, get published
Before reading or otherwise proceeding with your manuscript, most agents or publishers will request a book proposal and/or query letter. These must be attention-grabbing and professional in order for you to progress to publication. Helping You Get Published services include reviewing and editing your draft proposal and/or query; I can also prepare the full package for you, including carrying out and writing up market research for your book.
Book market research
The route to agents, publishers, and readers
These days, most manuscripts, book proposals, and queries will not gain an agent's or publisher's interest without book market research. I undertake or advise on market research and its incorporation into your book proposal and/or query. As a result, my clients' submissions get read, while those of many others are quickly tossed aside.
Self-publishing authors do not need a formal book proposal but should be aware that market knowledge is essential for the success of your print-on-demand (POD) book or ebook. You may already have a targeted readership and author platform, but if not, book market research is the way to identify and start building your potential readership.