Book copy editor and book proofreader
I work as a book copy editor and book proofreader for a range of clients, from private authors to fiction and non-fiction publishers.
My proofreading and copy-editing services are flexible and tailored to each client’s requirements. Based on an excerpt of the material I recommend a level and style of editing/proofreading, but ultimately I respect my client’s right to decide how I edit. Following the edit or proofread, clients are free to reject or accept my changes, using the 'track changes' feature of Microsoft Word.
Whatever the style of copy-editing or proofreading, I'm sensitive in my corrections and constructive in my suggestions. I’m not here to trample on people’s writing style, but to encourage, improve and advise.
Why hire a book proofreader or book copy editor?
First things first: every author – and I mean every author – needs a book proofreader and book copy editor. No matter how many times you've read and re-read your book, I can guarantee you've missed mistakes because:
You're too close to the material: Strange but true – when you’re very familiar with material, you get blind spots. You know what’s there, so your eye fails to read exactly what’s on the page and you miss errors.
You aren't a trained, experienced book editor and book proofreader: My clients are frequently astonished by how many corrections I make to their books; often small things that had never occurred to them as being incorrect.
In fact, the vast majority of authors aren't brilliant writers when it comes to perfecting spelling, punctuation, grammar and flow. I proofread and edit a lot of books by top authors and you'd be amazed how many errors I find.
That's why book proofreaders and book copy editors like myself are essential in the book-writing process. Typos, ugly grammar and inconsistencies are extremely off-putting, and they undermine your image as a talented, professional author. If you're serious about your book, you need to take book copy-editing and book proofreading seriously too.
How a book proofreader works
Proofreading is the last stage in the editorial process – the final check-through before the text is published. Ideally, to ensure that the material is at its best, the text has already been professionally copy-edited before it arrives on the book proofreader’s desk.
A book proofreader looks at two areas as they read:
Accuracy: A book proofreader corrects errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar, catching all the misspellings, spotting that misplaced apostrophe and sorting dodgy verb agreements.
Consistency: A book proofreader is a stickler for consistency. They bring the text neatly into line, ensuring a consistent style is applied in areas such as capitalisation, italicisation, hyphenation, punctuation and spelling styles.
Please note: Proofreading does not involve improving the writing style in any way, so a book proofreader will not rewrite clumsy sentences or improve flow. That's the job of a book editor. In addition, my proofreading service does not involve working on formatting (I'm a writer and editor, not a designer).
For more information on how a book proofreader works, please see my article Following the book proofreader's process
How a copy editor works
Copy-editing is a step up from proofreading. While a book proofreader focuses solely on accuracy and consistency of spelling, punctuation and grammar, a book copy editor also works to improve the text. Depending on need and requirement, a book copy editor may look at the following: paragraphing; headings; use of bullets and numbered lists; capitalisation; breaking down long sentences and paragraphs; vocabulary; repetition; ensuring clarity; use of punctuation.
The level of intervention that a book copy editor undertakes depends on the state of the material and the type of copy-edit requested. Copy-editing varies in scope, from light editing to improve the odd clumsy sentence through to more comprehensive support.
Please note: My book copy-editing service does not involve bigger-picture work, such as restructuring, rewriting and addressing issues with the content. That's a job for development editing or rewriting.
For more information on how a book copy editor works, please see my article Following the book copy editor's process.
Specialised copy-editing or proofreading
I am a trained plain English copy editor and, if required, can copy-edit any text into this clear, easy-to-grasp style of writing. Plain English cuts out flowery, complex writing and strips language down to its simplest form. As a plain English copy editor I edit material to ensure it is as simple, concise, clear and active as possible. For example, in a plain English edit I would change The briefing that you undertook was good, it was fine, but I did personally feel that the possibility existed to extend the time dedicated to discussing budgets into Your briefing was good, but you could have discussed budgets more.
As a book copy editor and book proofreader, I can work with either US or UK English. I'm a British book proofreader, but thanks to my degree in American Studies and time spent living in the States, I'm well-equipped to accurately proofread and edit both UK English and US English material. I work for clients both sides of the pond and, if required, I act as a translator – changing UK English into US English, or US English into UK English.