WHAT IS ACADEMIC EDITING?
It's like sending your writing away to little elves who tidy it up and decorate it with all sorts of helpful suggestions!
I've been a writing consultant and freelance editor for over five years. In addition to helping native English speakers and English language learners enhance their written communication through face-to-face consultations, I also offer traditional editing services for academics all over the world.
DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING
The forest...
Developmental editing is all about those big-picture problems: the things you want sorted out before you spend too much time fiddling with spelling and citation formatting!
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I can help with things like...
Articulating your argument
Using evidence appropriately
Strengthening structure and transitions
Integrating feedback
Using a consistent tone​​
Cutting or boosting your word count​​
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And a lot more!
COPY EDITING
The leaves...
Copy editing is the last thing that happens before you submit your journal article or send your thesis draft to your committee. At this point, you're happy with the content and structure. Now all that's left are the tiny details you're too exhausted to notice.
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Spelling and grammar
Sentence syntax
Repetition and redundancy
Typos and punctuation
Headings, tables and frontmatter
Citations and reference lists
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And any other teeny-tiny details that come to my notice!
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HOW DOES EDITING WORK?
BOOK A CONSULTATION
First, we need to decide together what kind of editing you need and what issues you want to focus on. You can share your screen or send the draft to me ahead of time, and we'll take a peek to see what we're working with.
SET THE TERMS
During your consultation (or shortly after), we'll agree on a deadline and I'll provide a quote. I build quotes using the median rates established by the Editorial Freelancers Association. Tighter deadlines or blended services can be accommodated at an additional cost. I'll send the quote and the terms of work to obtain your agreement before I begin work.
SEND ME YOUR MANUSCRIPT
Submit your manuscript in Word format (.doc or .docx). I'll confirm that everything is in order (file type, your expectations, and our agreement), and then I'll get started!
LET IT GO, LET IT GO...
Seriously, you're not only paying me to go over your manuscript with a fine-toothed comb, you're also paying for peace of mind. You've earned a break from thinking about this particular piece of writing. If I have any questions while I'm working, I'll contact you. Otherwise, I urge you to relax!
DO THE HAPPY DANCE!
On or shortly before the agreed-upon deadline, you will open your inbox to find your manuscript beautifully decorated with tracked changes, a clean version, a brief summary of what was done, and a list of your next steps:
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Developmental projects will come back with questions, comments and suggestions inserted throughout
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Copy editing projects will come back free of technical, grammatical and formatting issues.
Your finished order will also include an invoice with payment deadline and instructions. I (and my cats) appreciate prompt payment—someone has to keep the girls in toys and wet food!