I offer a range of editing services for written content, which are summarised below. I can work with you to help improve your work. Often there is no right or wrong answer in writing so in many cases I might make a suggestion rather than a correction. 

Every client’s needs are different so on any particular assignment we’ll work together to agree the scope of my services. Any work I undertake will also be subject to my standard terms of business, which are available on request.

Ideally, your document should be supplied to me in Microsoft Word format or in some other editable text format which allows tracked changes to be applied to it.

General copy editing

I will copy edit and proofread your written content, applying modern British / UK English writing principles. I will check your work and make or suggest changes for spelling, grammar, punctuation and general presentation. However, the aim will be to preserve your own underlying style so I won’t completely re-write your work.

In common with the services offered by other copy editors, my copy editing service is not a complete vetting service for the content in question. In particular, it does not extend to fact checking, research, libel reading or copyright and other legal advice.  

Editing text to make it gender neutral

I will amend your written content so that it uses gender neutral language. How this can be achieved will depend on how it is currently written. It could involve an extensive redraft. The aim of the exercise will be to achieve gender neutral content without using cumbersome phrasing. It might not be possible to achieve this with some writing. I will let you know what might be achievable at the fee quotation stage, after I have seen your draft.

Shortening text to achieve better clarity

Many types of written content have better impact and clarity if they are written in a concise style. I will review your work and suggest changes to help achieve that.

Feedback on your written content

You may be perfectly happy with your document’s content, spelling and grammar but how sure are you that it’s suitable for your intended audience?

Pitfalls include saying too little, so that readers misinterpret your message, or saying too much, so that readers get confused. Using jargon can also be a problem if some of your audience don’t have the necessary specialist knowledge.

Asking colleagues, friends or family to review your work is sensible but has limitations. Will they simply go along with your way of thinking? Even a document produced as a collaborative effort could miss the mark if no one in your team looks at it from your readers’ perspective.

It makes sense to get a view from unconnected sources. I can offer feedback on your work, reviewing it as an independent reader who has not been involved in its creation.