EDITORIAL SERVICES

EDITING & PROOFREADING

  • Editing — for consistency, tone, voice, plot, characterisation, etc. Levels of editing include a full or developmental edit, and a copy-edit.
  • Proofreading — including reviewing spelling, punctuation, grammar, consistent font, and formatting.

Developmental Editing

Full editing is the most comprehensive form of editing where the manuscript in its entirety is reviewed; the focus is on the novel as a whole, the bigger picture and the overall structure.

A full edit includes the consistency of voice, and ensuring that the language used, the style, presentation and content are all in line with the novel’s intended purpose and readership.

This includes things like plot, character, point of view, pace, writing style, narrative, and dialogue.

 

How it works:

An editor goes through your manuscript and provides in-depth manuscript advice & editing. This involves structure, tone of voice, and possible plot holes/fixes.

Because a full edit is the most extensive type of editing, the editor will go through your work three times; first, to capture tone of voice, overall plotline and structure, point of view, and character consistency throughout the story.

Second, a more detailed approach to address any other issues, this is on the same level as a copy-edit.

Third, an overall last check to ensure the full edit has left nothing behind, including grammatical or syntax errors and typos.  

This delivers the best edit for your manuscript.

Copy-Editing

copy editor not only checks for grammatical errors, but also focuses on the continuity and consistency of the plot, the characters, and the language used. Are all loose ends tied up? The copyeditor’s job is not just to check grammar and spelling but is also about ensuring the elements of the story are consistent and cohesive.

 

How it works

An editor goes through your manuscript twice to address grammatical errors, in-text formatting issues, and overall consistency and continuity. 

First, the editor goes over the manuscript working on text-formatting issues (not to be confused with formatting for publication, which does not address any textual formatting typos/errors), grammatical errors, and overall consistency and cohesiveness of the plot.

Second, the editor goes through the manuscript again, ensuring the alterations do not detract from the author’s tone of voice and style of writing. They also check once again for grammatical errors/typos.

Proofreading

When proofreading, the focus is on typographical errors. Proofreading requires a close-up look at the manuscript to spot even the smallest typographical and mechanical errors such as spelling mistakes, (missing) commas, erroneous spaces, inconsistencies in margins, and more.

Proofreading is all about enhancing the quality of your book.

 

How it works

A proofreader goes through your manuscript twice.

First, the proofreader focuses on grammatical errors and typos, checking (brand) names and use of titles, etc.

The second round includes an all-over check to ensure all the grammatical errors/typos have been addressed.

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Fee

*Minimum fee is £100*
*Minimum fee for academic articles is £150*

Fee per 1,000 words:

Proofreading £ 8
Copy editing £10
Full editing £14

In case a sample (1,000 words for a novel, 500 for a short story collection) is requested,
a fee of £50 is applicable; this will subsequently be deducted from the total fee for the editing service agreed upon.

 

MANUSCRIPT ADVICE

 

General advice and concise feedback on format, content and wording.

Manuscript advice looks at the big picture: the overall structure, content, tone of voice, and style of your manuscript.

Our professionals will provide you with an in-depth review of your writing to help you improve your manuscript. We will advise you on specific points to focus on—we will be the stepping stone for your work of fiction or non-fiction.

With fiction writing, we often see conflicting points of view. Do you have an omniscient narrator or a first- or third-person narrative? And what about the adagio, ‘show don’t tell’ instead of over-explaining of emotions, actions, and situations?

For both fiction and non-fiction, it is important to have your readership in mind. It will create a focus on tone of voice, and language to use.

For non-fiction specifically, knowing your readership is essential, as it has to be understandable both for peers and for non-professionals. You also have to consider the message you are conveying and provide supporting evidence as research. Have the figures right and double-check that your conclusion is based upon facts—how did you reach your conclusion?—and adds something new to your field. Don’t forget to address the scope of your research and article, and add the limitations and, if appropriate, possible angles for further research.

For fiction writers, but even more so for non-fiction authors, it is important to write out names the first time you use them before abbreviating them.

Disclaimer: manuscript advice does NOT include editing services such as (copy-)editing or proofreading.

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Fee

Manuscript Advice fee*: from £8 per 1,000 words.
*Minimum fee is £150 

 

WRITING SERVICES

Documents/blurbs/submission papers: General advice, concise feedback, or comprehensive analysis on format, content and wording.

Our professional writing-related services include but are by no means limited to:

  • Consultation – advice, and a sounding board, on all kinds of creative writing, as well as on blurb, summary writing, and numerous other aspects of writing and communication.
  • Writing – while the author’s focus is predominantly long-form copy, short stories and novels, we have experience in the creation of web content, white papers, articles, speeches, scripts, and presentations.
  • Rewriting – Where necessary for projects, we can help rewrite or reword as needed.

For any rewriting, and/or academic papers, or specific writing services, please contact us by email.

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Fee

*minimum fee is £150*

Fee from £ 14 per 1,000 words.

NOTES

Any other work would be charged at the hourly rate of £50, agreed in advance.

Our editors and we cannot be held responsible for any errors, unchecked by the author before submitting to any printers/publishers/editors.

Deposits and booking fees are non-refundable.

Payment terms are 14 days. On day 15, interest is charged at 4% plus the Bank of England base rate.

For more info, other options, or customised quotations, please contact us at citystonepublishing@gmail.com or through the button below: