The Editor's Desk

Our Editor's desk will occasionally supply snippets of daily thoughts and glimpses. This is light hearted, usually relaxing titbits of enjoyable information for any aspiring author.

To be effective, any document intended for publication must demonstrate a high standard of written English and presentation. Whether you are producing a book, an academic article, a business report or a publicity flyer, it is essential that the text is free from errors, clear in its expression and correctly laid out. These standards are not easy to achieve, and even well established and competent writers may lack the necessary expertise or time to avoid errors.

As editors, we specialise in eliminating the deficiencies of a text and ensuring that it reads fluently. We fine-tune phrasing, regularise spelling and punctuation, and adjust presentation in accordance with appropriate editorial conventions.

Copy-editing
Copy-editing involves systematically examining a document for any lapses in clarity, consistency or correctness. It requires logical thinking, an alert critical sense and a subtle feeling for language, along with the application of appropriate style conventions. All elements of the text, including figures and tables, quoted matter, notes and references, are rigorously examined.

Proofreading
This involves more than just looking for typographical errors. We attend also to matters of consistency, layout and spacing, and page- and word-breaks. Our close attention to detail guarantees a perfect printed document.

Structural editing and rewriting
Some texts require more extensive changes than copy-editing alone can provide. For instance, a thesis written by someone whose first language is not English may contain grammatical errors, or the expression, even where grammatically correct, may not be idiomatic. Where necessary, we may offer to rewrite a document.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who needs an editor?

Writers of books and articles, academics and researchers, staff of business and voluntary organisations, writers of English as a second language - almost anyone may at some time benefit from editing, proofreading or editorial advice. Even good writers may lack the time or skills to attend to every aspect of a text.

Why can’t I just use my spellchecker and grammar checker?

These devices address only a fraction of the matters considered by a good editor. They have no awareness of intellectual logic, idiomatic usage or appropriate style conventions. Moreover, they are notoriously crude and unreliable even in their own terms. There really is no substitute for the flexible intelligence of a skilled editor.

How do I know what level of editing my document needs?

This is where we come in. Just send us your document and we will advise you as to the level of change desirable, discussing with you carefully your needs and the basis for our recommendations.

What is the difference between editing and proofreading?

Though often confused, the two are essentially different. Editing is a basic process which addresses spelling, grammar and expression, style, layout and textual consistency. Proofreading is a subsequent operation which attends to typographical and other errors in an already edited document, and normally involves checking proofs against a manuscript.

What formats can you handle? Can you edit handwritten documents?

Hard copy should preferably be typed (and double spaced if it is to be edited), though we can edit handwritten text if it is clearly legible. If working on-screen, we prefer to receive files in Microsoft Word.

How much will it cost? Do you charge by the page or the hour?

We have an hourly rate which varies according to our service. When we receive your document to edit or proofread we make an assessment of how many pages we can complete per hour and then offer a quote based on that.

Will there be any other costs?

No, apart perhaps from telephone or postal charges. All costs will be agreed with you before we begin work and itemised on your bill.

Is there a minimum document length?

No. We edit everything, from the lengthiest report to the briefest flyer or mailshot.