Freelance Editing for Non-Fiction Authors

Non-Fiction Editing Services

Whether you’re intending to self-publish or submit your work to a literary agent or publisher, clean copy is essential to get your work noticed and present yourself as a professional writer.

I’ll copy-edit and/or proofread your entire draft manuscript before submission, or just certain sections if desired, making sure your writing is error-free and reads well.

I’ve trained in editing with the Publishing Training Centre and regularly update my editing knowledge and skills. I have extensive experience specialising in editing non-fiction.

Let’s get your work polished to perfection to maximise the chances of you achieving your publishing dreams.

  • The focus here is on readability and ensuring consistency and flow throughout your work.

    This includes attending to:

    • Grammar, spelling, punctuation and syntax

    • Correct use of tenses

    • Consistency in layout and formatting, e.g. paragraph and line spacing, capitalisation and hyphenation, indentation and section breaks, numbering and sequencing

    • Pace and flow of the text, with attention to instances of repetition or excess wording

    • Correct expression of dialogue

  • With this being the final stage before publication, the focus is on quality control and correcting any final mistakes or inconsistencies which have slipped through the copy-editing process.

    This includes ensuring:

    • Correct pagination and chapter sequencing

    • Removal of leftover repetitions or spelling/punctuation mistakes

    • A final check for consistency in layout and formatting of both text and any images, including paragraph, line and section breaks, and indentation

    • Consistent capitalisation and hyphenation

    • Consistent dialogue expression and formation

“Excellent communication, fast response and speedy service. I’ll be coming back to Sarah for more editing.”
— Justyna, Ebook Editing

Pricing:

Copy-editing

From £12 per 1, 000 words

Proofreading

From £10 per 1, 000 words

A bespoke quotation will be provided once a sample of the work has been received. If the text is very complex the standard rate may increase.

Turnaround time:

This will depend on the length of the manuscript, but as a general rule I can normally proofread uncomplicated copy at a rate of approximately 2,500 - 3, 000 words per hour.

Please bear in mind, however, that the agreed deadline will depend on both your own requirements and my current commitments, as well as the complexity of the work.

I may be able to offer an express service at an increased rate. Please let me know if you have a tight deadline to meet and I’ll see what I can do!

Free sample

I’ll happily edit up to 1, 000 words of your manuscript free of charge so you can see what you’re getting before committing to my services.

You can find further guidance on what proofreaders and copy-editors do and average rates from the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) which promotes standards within the industry in the UK.