Book Editing Services

An Editing Service Guaranteed To Make Your Book Read Better

We are often asked why we insist on having author manuscripts edited. “The other service providers don’t insist,” they say, “so why do you?” Besides, an author who has spent a considerable amount of time writing the book feels that all errors and omissions have been addressed, so why the need for another, paid, round of editing?

There is no denying the fact that the book you have written is the best you could write. However, there are professionals in the field who can help make your book a better one. There are many aspects of a book that must be addressed and a round of editing takes care of this.

Copy editing makes sure that the author’s raw text is corrected in aspects of spelling and grammar. Copy editing also involves, among other things, ensuring that the text flows properly, that nothing is missing or redundant, that sentences and paragraphs are uncomplicated and of adequate length and that the consistency of characters and plots is maintained. A copy editor also ensures that illustrations support the text and have appropriate captions.

In addition, our editors will eliminate redundant words, replace repetitive words with appropriate synonyms, and will substitute weak words, phrases, and sentences with alternatives that deliver more impact or are more relevant to your subject matter. During all this, our editors will make sure your original tone remains intact. After a round of editing, we insist that the author reads and reviews these changes.

Substantive editing, sometimes called structural editing, focuses on the content, organization, and presentation of the entire text, viewed wholly, from the title through to the ending.

As part of this service, the editor will look at various aspects of the book, aspects such as:

• Structure of your plot
• Development of your story
• Stated point of view
• Setting (the ambiance you have created)
• Readability of sentences
• Development of characters
• Tone, voice & dialogue
• Pacing (how fast or slow your book goes)

During this process, the proofreader reads the proof (usually an already-edited manuscript) and acts only as a quality check for spelling and grammar, making sure that the copy editor has not missed something. The proofreader is not responsible for the overall consistency and accuracy of the text.

Our editorial review service will combine an editorial evaluation of the manuscript i.e. its plot, structure, dialogue, development of characters, along with grammar and punctuation, with the readability of a work i.e. an assessment of how well the narrative ‘flows’. The evaluation is written by a professional editor after reading and evaluating the particular work. It does not involve editing of the work.

If you choose this service, a professional editor will review the manuscript you provide and suggest corrections to it. You may then choose to accept or reject these suggestions That way, nothing changes without your express permission.

A well-edited book may not guarantee sales but it surely ensures that there is no loss of sales. Remember the last time you put a book back on the shelf because it had a few errors? Read more about why editing is the most important marketing tool you can employ by clicking here.

So, while we do not know why the other self-publishing service providers do not insist on a round of editing (we wish they did, if it weren’t important would traditional publishers place such a premium on their editors?), we can only speak for ourselves and ensure that everything that can be done to improve the book has indeed been done.

As part of the standard publishing process, we will help you put together your manuscript for editing. The manuscript should be submitted in an A4-size page format. Further, all chapters of the book should be submitted as one document, not individually. If your book contains images, these may be placed inline within the document or submitted separately with indications of which image goes where, and should be submitted at the same time as the text file.

It is important that your manuscript is finalised and completed in all aspects before it is submitted for copy editing. Later changes to the manuscript may entail further charges.

Please see the Frequently Asked Questions page where we elaborate on many queries customers have had.