Editing services

“Editing is about more than just fixing words on a page—it’s about assessing the impact those words can have on readers.”

— Crystal Shelley, Instructor at Editorial Freelancers Association

It’s important that your document gets the attention it needs, and you get the edit you want.

The kind of edit I do depends mostly on how advanced your manuscript is and the publisher’s requirements. It also depends on your budget. Like many professional editors, I work on the principle of looking for reasons to not make unnecessary changes.

Whatever level of edit I undertake, I return the manuscript with all major mark ups visible so you can decide what to accept. When you’re satisfied, I can finalise and format your corrected document, ready for the publisher.

Copyediting

You don’t want readers to be distracted from the essential task of understanding your message.

Copyediting focuses on changes to make the meaning clear and the narrative accessible. Using an authoritative style guide, I adjust the grammar, correct spelling and refine punctuation to make the text flow naturally.

I check that sentences are understandable, and phrasing is consistent and appropriate for the content. These edits help guide readers to the real purpose of the publication – communicating the science.

For an advanced manuscript, a thorough copyedit may be all that’s needed to polish the text and check for consistency.

At all times I work towards preserving the author’s voice, so your enthusiasm for the work shines through.

Structural editing

If the manuscript has not yet been reviewed, or it’s a longer document involving multiple collaborators and many diagrams, graphs and tables, it may want a more intensive structural edit.

Structural editing goes deeper than a copyedit. It looks at the document as a whole and rearranges text to improve logical flow and structure. It asks how the language helps each paragraph connect, and how the ideas in one section develop from the previous and flow into the next.

  • Do the headings make the right impression?

  • Would a numbered or bulleted list be helpful?

  • Are the tables clear and consistent?

  • Is the information in figures reflected in the text, and vice versa?

A structural edit will iron out any issues that might confuse readers or cause them to lose the thread. Throughout, I consult closely with you to make sure the intended meaning is retained and your science comes out ahead.

Keeping it real

How I use artificial intelligence (AI)

I am committed to delivering high-quality, human-led editing that prioritises consistency, accuracy and clarity. While AI tools may streamline certain tasks, they do not replace my professional judgment or experience. I remain accountable for your final text, ensuring it meets high standards of clarity and correctness. If I use AI tools for editing, I will be transparent about how those tools have been employed, and content generated by AI will only be included with your explicit consent.

AI tools can assist with specific, routine tasks, such as:

  • Applying style and formatting based on style guides

  • Correcting repetitive spelling or grammar issues

  • Ensuring consistency in terminology

  • Testing text for readability and clarity

This approach enhances efficiency, allowing me to focus on deeper, conceptual aspects of editing.

I do not rely on AI to assess the soundness of your arguments or the substance of the content. When requested, I provide thoughtful restructuring to clarify or reinforce your points. While AI may suggest edits, it lacks the nuanced understanding of your specific subject, audience and goals. I make editorial decisions that support your objectives, refining tone, clarity, and style to ensure the final text aligns with your intentions.

This text was written by me, revised using AI, and edited and finalised by me.

The text is the heart of the publication. When it flows well, your readers hardly notice the words; instead, they absorb the story as if you were telling it in person.

Together we achieve a strong yet accessible narrative that doesn’t compromise the depth of the science.