Editorial services
You can choose any combination of the following editorial services.
When you’ve been working on your manuscript for months, maybe even years, it’s very easy to lose sight of the bigger picture and this is when impartial, professional advice is invaluable. An evaluation report gives you an editor’s overview of your manuscript: a specialist reader/editor will read sections of the text, and give you a short report offering feedback on its basic structure, pointing out any potentially contentious issues and advising if your manuscript would benefit from copy-editing, proofreading or any further editorial work. If there’s anything specific you would like to be assessed, or you’d like a more in-depth evaluation, please talk to us about your needs. If you want to use our copy-editing and proofreading services, then the report will provide a basis for us to give you an estimate of the cost.
We cannot comment on the literary value of your manuscript or its sales potential.
Click here to see a sample report showing what areas will be assessed.
Copy-editing will focus on the sense, clarity and consistency of the writing style, for example, correct use of grammar, spelling and hyphenation, consistent use of abbreviation and capitalisation. A copy-edit is done at manuscript stage. The copy-editor may point out factual inconsistencies, but will not check your facts are correct — that is your responsibility. A copy-edit is highly recommended, especially for a non-fiction book.
Copy-editing will be done electronically from your Word document and will be delivered to you with changes tracked and comments inserted. You can either accept or reject the suggested changes, thus staying in control of your manuscript.
The copy-editor will not rewrite the text or check facts.
Click here to see a sample of a copy-edited Word document with tracked changes.
We think correct spelling is a basic requirement of any book, even for a private publication, and would advise that you always have your manuscript proofread. Proofreaders check for incorrect spellings and typographical mistakes (such as missing full stops and capitals or missing words), but do not rewrite sentences. Proofreading is done after the text has been laid out in pages, so proofreaders will also adjust the layout to ensure your book looks as good as possible. If appropriate, they will also complete page numbers in cross-references. If copy-editing was not booked with us and a significant error is spotted during proofreading, we will advise you on costs to correct it, as well as whether it will affect the schedule.
Click here to see a sample of a proofread page.
Only some types of publication need an index. Indexing is usually done after proofreading.
Click here for our workflow chart.
We also offer design services, illustration services, printing, data input and typing and promotional materials.