Proofreading and Copy-editing

Qualified freelance proofreader and copy-editor with 14 years' experience.

Proofreading

Some of the world's best writers have appalling spelling and/or dodgy grammar, but a way with words that more than compensates. Fortunately, errors are easily spotted and corrected without losing any of the original wording; but inspiration is always at a premium!

Even the highly literate make mistakes and fail to notice: we all read what we think is there, not what actually is, and we can re-read a thing many times and still miss the obvious. Another pair of eyes makes a world of difference; especially when it has been trained to find the errors and has the experience to back that up.

I have worked on a wide range of publications, from A5 flyers to full-length novels, from formal and technical documents to newsletters and poems, in UK and US English.

Copy-editing

A proofreader sets out to ensure that no errors of spelling or grammar exist within the document, but does not attempt to look at the sense or the style of the language itself. A copy-editor has the task of looking at the meaning of the text, and the way the words have been used, checking for factual accuracy and suggesting better ways of expressing things when the wording is clumsy or incorrect. This is particularly useful where English is not the author's first language, and words and phrases are expressed using the idiom of their own tongue.

A good copy-editor will aim for minimal intervention, leaving the text in the author's own wording as far as possible, within the constraints of accuracy and readability.

Pricing

  • Proofreading: £5 per 1000 words
  • Copy-editing: £7 per 1000 words
  • Proofreading and copy-editing combined: £8 per 1000 words

I aim to return the completed document within two weeks of receiving it, unless it is 10,000 words or more, when the turnaround time may be a little longer, depending upon other commitments.

Of course I can only provide this service when I am not out on the trail; but if I am away your e-mail will be forwarded to a colleague who is also qualified and has many years' experience of both proofreading and copy-editing, and she will be in touch.