FAQ

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS?

Below you’ll find answers to the questions I get asked most often. Questions about proofreading and editing, but also questions about writing and history stuff.

If you can’t find what you need, please get in touch and I can talk you through your project.

a silver fountain pen resting on lined paper ready to ask questions about proofreading and editing, or ready to start writing
a notedbook, copy of Great Expectations and a can of Coke, ready to start writing

EDITING & PROOFREADING

There are many types of editing, but the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) has good guides on their website:

Proofreading FAQs

Editing FAQs

A very basic answer is that copyediting happens early on in the publishing process (once the copy has been written), and proofreading is the final stage, making sure everything is as it should be before being sent off for printing or websites being made live.

Each piece of work is different. We can discuss timeframes when evaluating the work that needs to be carried out. A quick proofread will take less time than a full edit. A straightforward copyedit usually falls around the 1,500–2,000 words per hour mark.

Generally I have a day rate for businesses and I am guided by the CIEP suggested rates for editing and proofreading for authors, although as an Advanced Professional Member you will pay more for my services than if you were to hire an editor with less experience. Pop along to my pricing page for more details.

Payment will be agreed in advance and a proportion of the fee, usually 50%, will be required as a non-refundable deposit in advance to secure a space in my schedule.

If it’s written it can be proofread and edited. I can also write your copy – I specialise in writing for heritage and history.

While it’s true that a computer can automate certain procedures, it can’t look over your work like a human can. An editor can make sure that your grammar is correct, that the right words are being used and that everything is as it should be. Editing your own work is also notoriously difficult as you become used to what you have written and can miss even simple errors.

Preparing your work can be a tricky business. If you know you need help but aren’t sure what’s needed, talk to me. I provide a no-obligation quote, and I’ll steer you in the right direction.

I specialise in helping businesses with their written material and I also work with authors, especially those writing in the area of heritage, historical fiction and non-fiction.

a collection of antique papers lying on top of each other

WRITING & HISTORY STUFF

Yes. Talk to me and we’ll figure out your tone of voice and the form your writing will take.

I’ve written website copy, press releases, blogs and book content (I’ve also ghostwritten a book). If you need some writing just contact me and we can talk through your requirements.

I tend to work on a per project basis, guided by my day rate and the complexity of the work involved. This means that as long as there is no scope creep the price is fixed at the beginning of the job. How much it costs depends on a number of factors so it’s best that we chat via email first.

Payment will be agreed in advance and a proportion of the fee, usually 50%, will be required as a non-refundable deposit in advance to secure a space in my schedule.

In theory I could work on any written content, but I prefer not to work on email campaigns. My strengths lie in informational content and storytelling.

When it comes to translation of historical text I can work on anything as long as it’s in English (my Latin is fairly rusty!)

Yes. I’m a genealogical and historical researcher, so we can chat about what you need and the likelihood of us finding anything interesting.

Yes. If you just need someone to write up your business history I can do that for you. You would need to supply me with as much information as possible. Chat with me to discuss your requirements.

I’ve transcribed everything from some of John Dee’s Elizabethan notebook to explorers’ diaries and some English Civil War letters. Dates have ranged from the C16th to the C20th. If it’s written in English the chances are I can decipher the handwriting.

Still got a question?

Drop me a line and l’ll get straight back to you or hit me up on socials.

SEND IT NOW!

Remember:

No question is a silly question

Don’t sit and wonder – if you’re not sure about whether we’d be a good fit, just ask.

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Her feedback was easy to follow.

Sara was wonderful both in helping me understand which type of editing I needed and then in the editing process itself.
Carys

lined pad with pen and pencil - the writer's toolkit