FAQ
What does the proofreading for students service not include?
For ethical reasons, my proofreading service for work that is to be submitted for an award will never include the following:
- Comment on the clarity or merit of your academic argument, nor on the appropriateness or otherwise of your cited sources. I consider the clarity of language only.
- The addition or deletion of any original content pertaining to your academic argument. I will, however, suggest ways in which sentences and paragraphs can be shortened where appropriate without changing the original meaning.
- Substantial rewriting (including paraphrasing). If your meaning is unclear to the point where it needs to be rewritten, I will highlight this for your attention so you can reword it yourself.
- Fact checking. Where a fact stands out as being obviously wrong to the general reader (for example, ‘Henry VIII had eight wives’), I will highlight and comment on this to bring it to your attention. However, I will not use outside sources to verify anything presented as fact in your paper.
- Reformatting references. I will check for consistency and make minor changes, however if key information is missing (for instance, if you have not given the volume number of a journal), I will highlight and draw this to your attention but will not implement the changes myself.
English is my second language - can you still help me with my dissertation or thesis?
Of course! I have worked with many international students, a lot of whom were actually advised by their academic supervisors to seek professional help with their written English.
You deserve to have your work judged on its academic content, not on your knowledge of English, which is secondary to your actual field of study. A lack of confidence in written English can also be frustrating and distracting for you as a student. A professional editor can help bring your language up to standard, to take this worry off your shoulders and ensure your readers can concentrate on what you actually have to say.
I can help with vocabulary (word choice), syntax (sentence structure) and punctuation (for example when to use a possessive apostrophe).
When you contact me, I may ask to see a sample of your work, and I will assess whether it will take me any longer than usual to edit. This may mean a slightly higher rate is charged. I will always be upfront with you about my rates and the time it will take to do a good job.
You deserve to have your work judged on its academic content, not on your knowledge of English, which is secondary to your actual field of study. A lack of confidence in written English can also be frustrating and distracting for you as a student. A professional editor can help bring your language up to standard, to take this worry off your shoulders and ensure your readers can concentrate on what you actually have to say.
I can help with vocabulary (word choice), syntax (sentence structure) and punctuation (for example when to use a possessive apostrophe).
When you contact me, I may ask to see a sample of your work, and I will assess whether it will take me any longer than usual to edit. This may mean a slightly higher rate is charged. I will always be upfront with you about my rates and the time it will take to do a good job.
Can you work with highly technical documents, for example scientific or medical texts?
In the case of medical editing: yes, absolutely. I hold a highly-regarded certificate from the SfEP in this specialism.
In other technical or scientific areas, the short answer is: maybe. I will ask to see a sample of your work, and will be absolutely honest with you about whether I think I can do a good job. If necessary, I can refer you to trusted colleagues who specialise in your subject - I am lucky to have an extensive network of editing friends and colleagues from all over the world.
In other technical or scientific areas, the short answer is: maybe. I will ask to see a sample of your work, and will be absolutely honest with you about whether I think I can do a good job. If necessary, I can refer you to trusted colleagues who specialise in your subject - I am lucky to have an extensive network of editing friends and colleagues from all over the world.
why do your prices differ between students, authors and academics?
It's all down to the amount of work involved, and the length of time a project is likely to take. For ethical reasons, there is a lot that cannot be included when proofreading students' work (see question one, above), so the job is smaller and therefore I can charge a particularly low rate. This may be slightly higher if English is your second language (see question two, above).
Editing independent authors' work is much more time consuming as it includes a much more detailed level of changes and suggestions. See the 'authors and publishers' page for a full list of what is included. Therefore it costs more than proofreading for students.
Editing for academics has the highest fees, because as well as all the usual features of a copy-edit, it also usually includes checking (often extensive) references, and applying extremely detailed journal submission guidelines.
So you see, no two services are exactly the same. And no two projects will ever be the same. So whilst my listed prices are a starting point, you can expect a personalised quote when you contact me and provide details and/or a sample of your work. I will always be upfront and transparent abut my fees, and there will never be any hidden costs,
Editing independent authors' work is much more time consuming as it includes a much more detailed level of changes and suggestions. See the 'authors and publishers' page for a full list of what is included. Therefore it costs more than proofreading for students.
Editing for academics has the highest fees, because as well as all the usual features of a copy-edit, it also usually includes checking (often extensive) references, and applying extremely detailed journal submission guidelines.
So you see, no two services are exactly the same. And no two projects will ever be the same. So whilst my listed prices are a starting point, you can expect a personalised quote when you contact me and provide details and/or a sample of your work. I will always be upfront and transparent abut my fees, and there will never be any hidden costs,
Do I need to sign a contract?
Yes. I issue a 'Statement of Work' at the start of every project which, together with my general terms and conditions, forms a contract between you, the client, and me, the freelancer.
The Statement of Work sets out exactly what we have agreed I will do for you - what is in and outside of scope, the tools I will use, what I need you to provide me with and what you will get back from me. It also finalises the deadline and the quote for my fees. I do ask you to sign the Statement of Work so that we are all on the same page before I start work.
The Statement of Work sets out exactly what we have agreed I will do for you - what is in and outside of scope, the tools I will use, what I need you to provide me with and what you will get back from me. It also finalises the deadline and the quote for my fees. I do ask you to sign the Statement of Work so that we are all on the same page before I start work.
How long will my edit or proofread take?
In terms of speed, I work at a rate of about 2000-3000 words an hour. However, I don't work 24-7, so this doesn't always give an accurate picture of how long your project will take.
When we are in negotiation about a potential project, I will suggest a deadline based on the length of your document, my working hours and schedule, and factors such as your level of written English that will affect the time it takes me to do a good job.
Publishers and businesses often set their own deadlines for me, and as a matter of professional integrity I can only agree to deadlines that are realistic and that I can comfortably meet. If the job is extremely urgent, and I have to work for more hours than usual in a day to meet the deadline, I reserve the right to charge a rush fee.
If you have a particular deadline for any reason (such as a date you need to submit academic work), I will do my very best to accommodate you. As above, if I have to work more hours than usual in a day to meet a tight timescale, I may charge a rush fee.
When we are in negotiation about a potential project, I will suggest a deadline based on the length of your document, my working hours and schedule, and factors such as your level of written English that will affect the time it takes me to do a good job.
Publishers and businesses often set their own deadlines for me, and as a matter of professional integrity I can only agree to deadlines that are realistic and that I can comfortably meet. If the job is extremely urgent, and I have to work for more hours than usual in a day to meet the deadline, I reserve the right to charge a rush fee.
If you have a particular deadline for any reason (such as a date you need to submit academic work), I will do my very best to accommodate you. As above, if I have to work more hours than usual in a day to meet a tight timescale, I may charge a rush fee.
Do you offer sample edits?
Yep. For students, academics and authors I charge a flat fee of £10 for a sample edit of up to 1000 words. This will give you an idea of my style and technique, and help you decide if I'm the best editor for you.
Will my book be ready for publishing after you've edited it?
Very nearly. In the traditional publishing world, a manuscript will go through a copy-edit first, and then when the pages are all laid out ready for printing, they will be reviewed by a professional proofreader.
You might want to follow this example and hire a proofreader to give your manuscript a final once-over to make sure everything is correct. I can perform this service if you wish (even if you have not used my copy-editing service; contact me for a personalised quote), however, if I have copy-edited your work I would actually recommend you hire someone else to lend a pair of fresh eyes to your project. I would be happy to recommend someone qualified and experienced from my large network of editing colleagues.
You might want to follow this example and hire a proofreader to give your manuscript a final once-over to make sure everything is correct. I can perform this service if you wish (even if you have not used my copy-editing service; contact me for a personalised quote), however, if I have copy-edited your work I would actually recommend you hire someone else to lend a pair of fresh eyes to your project. I would be happy to recommend someone qualified and experienced from my large network of editing colleagues.
What if my novel needs more than a copy-edit - such as help with the actual story?
You may decide that you need help with the content of your novel - such as structure, plot and character development, world-building, and so on. If I think you need extra help in these areas I will certainly be honest about it with you.
If this is the case, you may need what is called developmental or substantive editing. This is not a service I offer, however I would be very happy to refer you to one of my trusted colleagues who would be delighted to help you.
If this is the case, you may need what is called developmental or substantive editing. This is not a service I offer, however I would be very happy to refer you to one of my trusted colleagues who would be delighted to help you.
HOw do I pay you?
I will issue you with an invoice when I have completed your edit. The exact payment terms (how long you have in which to make payment; whether I need a part-payment in advance, etc.) will be agreed before I start work, and will be set out in the Statement of Work (see question five, above).
Payment can be made directly to my bank account (my bank details are on my invoices) or via PayPal using my email address sophie@sophiegillespie.com.
Payment can be made directly to my bank account (my bank details are on my invoices) or via PayPal using my email address sophie@sophiegillespie.com.