Communication is key for any kind of work, especially editing, and that is what I strive for in my work. This page describes my editing process from first contact to final files.
What do you need?
My first step in accepting an editing job is to determine exactly what you need. Are you seeking a quick proofread or an in-depth copy edit? Do you want me to make formatting corrections as well, or is there some other extra service you’d like me to include? Which version of English is the manuscript written in: US, UK, CA, or AU? Do you have a specific style guide you would like me to follow? The Chicago Manual of Style is most commonly used for book manuscripts, so I use this as my default unless you request otherwise.
It’s important to be on the same page during this step, so we don’t hit any bumps farther down the road.
the contract
I have a standardized contract template, but we can both make suggestions and changes until we reach an agreement. Once we have the contract finalized, we sign it (digitally or physically; whichever you prefer).
The standardized proofreading contract template can be found here.
The standardized copy editing contract template can be found here.
the document
I work in MS Word, so I require a .doc or .docx file for editing purposes. The reason for this is that MS Word offers the option to track changes in the document, which I use while editing so you can see exactly what changes I’ve made. If you don’t use MS Word, an Open Office file (.odt) will work, because Open Office also has a track changes option.
Regardless of the file format, the document should be double-spaced and the font should be Times New Roman, 12 point. This facilitates the editing process.
The Work
The contract will include a set deadline. In the case of an emergency that could affect the deadline, I will contact you as soon as possible.
Final files and Payment
I provide two copies of the edited document. One is a copy with the tracked changes visible. The second is a clean copy with all changes accepted but any comments regarding specific changes still visible for easy reference.
Payment is sent via PayPal according to the contract.
After the job
You are always welcome to contact me regarding a specific change I made for clarification on why I made that change.