FAQs
What is editing? It includes proof-reading for errors but goes further. Each paragraph, phrase and word is weighed and assessed to bring out the best from your writing. Is the whole thing accurate, navigable and readable, plausible and authoritative? Will it, like a diamond, shine more brightly if cut (the answer is often yes)? Will it benefit from the substitution of words and phrases that are more concise, precise vivid and beautiful? Does it do what George Orwell says about writing?
Why shouldn’t I just use AI? Because it shows. Robots turn out plausible but bland text which (so far) lacks personality, flair, wit and rich texture – the ingredients of authentic writing. There’s a good argument about it here. And if you stick with AI, you spend less time with humans.
Will an editor re-write my work? They’ll help you say what you are saying and that might include some modest rewriting of parts. If they think you need to start again with the whole thing, they’ll find a polite way of telling you…
Why bother with editing? Because even the best writers have editors, and if you don’t want or can’t afford a permanent one then it’s worth learning how to do it yourself.
Will my work be perfect? No, but it will be better. Good writers, and good editors, are never satisfied.
What are your qualifications and credentials? I have: edited newspapers for twenty years; written about 30,000 headlines; taught hundreds of journalism students; written a newspaper column for 23 years; written a book and book chapters; gained a PhD; edited a full-length book; been highly commended in the British Regional Press Awards; and been a runner-up and long-listed in two fiction awards.
Why do you do it? I enjoy words and working with the people who write them. I am in a portfolio-career phase of life and able to choose work that I enjoy.
What kind of clients have you worked with on editing projects? A charity that needed its case studies turned into narratives; an author with a publishing deal that required delivery of an edited book; a health professional writing magazine articles; an executive who needed to inject some fizz into the preamble of a company report. Those kind of clients.
Will you edit my school or university essays? No, sorry. That’s your job.
Will you comment on design, typography, layout, indexing, drama and broadcast scripts etc? No, sorry. I have experience in some of that but it’s not part of the service.
Do you edit fiction? I prefer to work with factual writing but it’s something we can discuss.
How fast are you? It’s not a same-day service but if I’m available then a modest piece of work will take days rather than weeks.
Is there any kind of writing or writer you won’t work with? I enjoy working with writing of all kinds with the exception of lies, conspiracy theories, discriminatory material and the like.
If we are going to work together, how shall I send my work when invited? In a Word document (no other format) attached to the email, with the text double line spaced in 12point using any standard font. It can include titles and headlines, but no pictures or other material.
How do I pay? By bank transfer within 30 days after delivery.