How does the editing process work?
I wouldn’t use anyone else
It’s simple. If you want it done properly, hire Manda. I wouldn’t use anyone else.
The editing process is simple - and it starts with getting in touch.
1. What information do you need to give me?
- What would you like me to do with the text? Am I checking it purely for spelling and grammar, or would you like me to edit the text? (see Proofread or Copy Edit)
- What genre would you say your book falls into?
- How quickly would you like the work done?
- What is the target audience (location, gender, age group)?
- Has anyone else read the manuscript?
- Have you worked with an editor before?
Before I start working on your manuscript, it's really important that I fully understand your requirements and your expectations. I send all my new authors a Pre-Edit Questionnaire, which asks all of the above questions, plus a few more.
2. When and how should you send me your manuscript?
Send me the manuscript as soon as possible. You can Email the text to me - preferably in Microsoft Word. Either send the entire text, or a sample of it along with an indication of how many words make up the total.
3. Cost and Timescales
I will then come back to you with any queries, and will give you an idea of the cost and timescales involved.
4. The Editing Process
In terms of the actual editing process, before I start I will make sure to confirm with you exactly what you are expecting from an edit or proofread. I prefer to provide a (free of charge, no-obligation) sample edit of about 1,000 words taken from your manuscript. This helps me to work out the level of editing required, and demonstrates to you exactly what I would be doing with your manuscript. I also ask all my new authors to complete a Pre-Edit Questionnaire. This helps to clarify expectations and makes sure that everyone knows what to expect, right from the beginning.
Once I start editing your manuscript, I work through it in one go, At the end of each week, I send you an update email detailing my progress and raising any points for clarification. These emails are often necessarily brief as they are really just to reassure you that I'm still working on your book, and haven't run off to a desert island somewhere.
At the end of the editing process, I return the file to you along with a style sheet which lists all the editorial decisions taken along the way (for example, -ise or -ize, and the spelling of any unusual or original words) - this helps in particular if someone else will be working on your manuscript after me (for example, a proofreader), or if the book is going to be part of a series. I also provide an editorial report outlining your writing strengths, and detailing areas that could be made even better. I use examples taken from your text to illustrate each point and give you pointers for supporting resources - the idea being that the report provides you with the confidence to continue writing even better books!
5. Microsoft Word
Unless we discuss otherwise, your text will be edited in Microsoft Word, using Track Changes. Track Changes is very intuitive to use, but I'm aware many of you won't have come across it before. I've recorded a free, ten-minute introductory webinar below.
Using this facility means that you can see (and approve or reject) every single change that is made to your text.
6. Do I need a deposit?
Once we have agreed on a timescale and a budget, I ask for a booking fee. For projects with a total value in excess of £500, I ask for a booking fee of £250. This secures your slot in my diary, is non-refundable, but is deducted from the final fee.
