Q. What format do you need my book in, and how do you send the manuscript back to me?

A. The usual format I work with is MS-Word. I return two copies of the document: one with Track Changes visible and specific queries to the author in Comments, and another copy of the same document with the changes accepted and only showing my author queries. This second document gives an author the opportunity to see the document without all the red-lining. For those in a hurry, all they need to do with the ‘TC accepted’ document is run through and then delete my comments and they have a manuscript that is ready for the next stage. However, most of my authors use the ‘TC showing’ document to accept or decline each change, and work on the queries, deleting my comments as they go.

If you can only send me a hard copy or some other non-editable format, I am happy to edit and send back a marked-up hard copy or a list of corrections and queries with page and line references. In both cases you will have to arrange for the corrections to be made by yourself or a third party to an editable version of the manuscript.

I’m adaptable, so if the above is not good for you, we can look for a suitable method of returning the corrections to you.

Q. Do you edit onscreen?

A. When I receive your document it goes through some basic formatting checks (eg, spotting whether quote marks are straight or curly throughout; checking indentation of paragraphs is consistent; looking for any unnecessary double spaces after punctuation or between words), which are carried out onscreen. If there are any issues, I get in touch to ask if you’d like me to make any of these global formatting corrections myself or leave them for your formatter to deal with. I then print out the document, edit and make amendments on the hard copy. Next, I read through the hard copy a second time, adding further amendments where necessary. Following that I transfer all my corrections to the Word document using Track Changes. I then generate a second Word document with the changes accepted (‘TC accepted’) and onscreen I check it side by side with the ‘TC showing’ document to ensure that I’ve not introduced any errors in my mark-up. When I am happy that I have completed the edit I send the final documents to you along with a style sheet. My blog post What Does a Proofreader Actually Do with Your Book? provides more detail about this process. Although it was written when I used to offer a proofreading service, the basic steps are the same when I’m editing.

Q. Do you ever make corrections with Track Changes off?

A. There are some global formatting corrections (see above), which are best done with Track Changes off, as otherwise the main editing changes can get lost among all the redlining. Before implementation I will always ask you whether you are happy (or not) for me to make those changes with Track Changes off.

Q. How long in advance do I need to contact you?

A. Ideally, please contact me at least two months before your preferred deadline. Being freelance, my work fluctuates, and I get very busy at times. However, I am flexible and will try to fit in with any deadlines you have. If I’m not able to work to your timescale I will tell you immediately.

Q. How long would it take for you to copy edit my book?

A. I would normally expect to send you the completed copy edit within ten to fourteen working days from our agreed start date. Once I’ve agreed a deadline I will always do everything I can to meet it.

Q. What if my manuscript isn’t ready when I thought it would be?

A. I realise that some delays are unavoidable, so please don’t keep bad news to yourself. If you can let me know as soon as possible, I will do my very best to accommodate you, but please remember that when I schedule a book for editing, it means I am turning down other clients. It is difficult for me to maintain my competitive rates if I’ve lost other jobs because an author’s schedule has fallen behind. It’s very important that you ensure you can definitely deliver a complete and finished manuscript to me by the date we agree. When I edit a book I immerse myself in it, so offering to send the book in sections isn’t something that works for me.

Q. Why do your rates per thousand words go up as book length increases?

A. There is significant extra work in checking for consistency as a book gets bigger. Smaller books are much more manageable and are easier to schedule. For this reason I prefer copy editing shorter books and price accordingly.

Q. How do you handle invoices and payment?

A. I ask for a deposit up front, and on completion of the job I send an invoice detailing the total cost and amount due. For more information see Rates page. All of my income is declared to the UK taxman.