Editing Q&A - The Write Stuff

Questions to guide you

I could do the usual (yawn) Q&A to highlight standard editing and proofing questions. But me being me, I like to do things differently. So thought a recent email correspondence with a then prospective client (now an extraordinarily happy and satisfied one) would be a far more interesting take on things…

Setting the baseline

C: First, congratulations on your website. I found it very amusing! (See what I did there? I buttered you up before discussing my requirements and your rates.) I’m currently a PhD candidate and need help with my dissertation.

T: Thanks for the lovely feedback! (Flattery duly and delightfully noted.) Can you tell me what sort of help you’re looking for?

 

Hint:

Advance planning and forewarning makes for a relaxed, productive editing relationship. This leads to a happy client and an awesome piece of writing. Desperate, last-minute, deadline-tomorrow pleas make for more interesting and expensive exchanges. The downside is less likelihood of success and more chance of grumpiness.

What value do I bring?

C: I need proofreading and line editing. (Maybe even structural editing.) I want to improve flow, correct grammar, and focus on good punctuation too. Oh, and I need help with driving home a compelling argument.

T: I can definitely assist with line editing. With academic work it’s often the supervisors who tend to do the structural ‘editing’. They tend to give feedback regarding flow of the document. (This would be chapters, paragraphs, headings etc.) I can certainly help with this too. (In fact, I have one or two supervisors who refer to me directly for this work.)

 

Hint:

My expertise lies is in copy editing and proofreading. I don’t work miracles. I can’t bring pieces of poor writing back from the dead. But I do come close and I’ll work my little butt off while trying!

And that’s not all…

C: My supervisor and I have sorted the structural “kinks”. But repetition, paragraph structuring and chapter flow are also concerns. I don’t want the reviewer to focus on my poor writing or grammatical skills, but on my message. I’ve found that if they like the writing style, they’re more inclined to give favourable reviews. (It’s that, or the cheques I attach.)

T: I can offer help with your key argument. We can ensure that it runs like a ‘golden thread’ throughout your work. We’ll also make sure your chapters and paragraphs link to form an overall seamless flow. Surely this, coupled with your cheques, will do the trick?

 

Hint:

I can’t be Casper (too young? Ask mom or dad) on your work. But I can pair you with one of my doppel-gangers. Their core skills are writing, messaging and argument construction/flow.

What will you pay for happiness?

C: The document is 250 pages. How do you quote and charge for your services?

T: You’ll send me a two-page sample and I’ll generate a sample edit and estimated quote. With a job your size, we can be a little negotiable on price. (Notice how I use the word ‘little’ so as not to get you too excited.) I give both a high- and low-end quote so that you know where you stand, more or less. This is one of the reasons my clients like me to feed back costs as I work through the document.

 

Hint:

Giving birth isn’t a one-size-fits-all process! We’ll fix a base and ceiling price at the start. Then – if you want me to – I’ll keep you posted as we progress. Lots of warning will be given in cases where you may need to sell a body part (or the whole of it).

The exchange

C: How do you like to be paid? A deposit upfront; per chapter; at the end; stacks of twenties exchanged in a dark alley?

T: Full payment by EFT at the end of the project is great. I may ask for a deposit up front, if your deadline is some time in the future. If you’re a student, I typically ask for both a copy of your ID and your supervisor’s name, contact no, email address and shoe size for my records, allowing me ‘backdoor’ access to your kneecaps should there be an issue with payment. (I’m not suggesting students are untrustworthy; I just like to take advantage of the fact that they have ‘superiors’).

 

Hint:

I’ve never had to use my henchmen. Let’s keep it that way.

The process

C: Can you provide feedback chapter by chapter?  I still need to complete certain parts (I believe diamonds are built under pressure).

T: No prob – I’ve done this many times with other clients. Basically, the flow would look like this:

  • you send me the chapter;
  • I edit and send it back with suggested changes;
  • you accept/reject and return it to me;
  • I finalise the piece and send it to my proofer;
  • I can keep you posted on costs as we go; and
  • you rejoice, knowing your ‘diamond’ is in excellent hands and that no cost is too high for such brilliant service.

Hint:

What more can I say?

Formatting

C: Excellent! What format should I send it in?

T: I’d prefer it in Word as I work with the editing programme ‘Track Changes’, although I have worked off PDF and Latex too. Once I’ve completed a section, you’ll accept/reject the line editing suggestions I make and will also have to deal with comments that I may make in specific places (I’ll do this when I don’t want to change something that may impact on the meaning without checking with you first; or I might suggest removing/replacing/moving something but need you to make that decision).

 

Hint

It really benefits you to see the changes I make and the process is quickest using Track Changes. Quick = cheaper = happy client.

And last, but not least

C: Who is the “proofer” in this scenario?

T: I use a UK-based proofer for my Word and PDF documents, and a local proofer for my Latex work, as it’s considered – in the editing profession – a fatal error to proof one’s own editing. This makes your end-product extremely unlikely to carry any errors.

C: Great! I didn’t realise you’d include an external proof-reader in this process and it can only enhance the quality of my work.

 

Hint

Although you may think proofing your work is overkill, I can assure you that editors are human (yes, even me) and that mistakes are made. This is why I love my proofers – I can blame them if anything slips through. I have yet to.