Copy editing
Copy editing is an intrinsic and important part of the publishing process and requires a rigorous and methodical approach. Copsewood Editorial Services offers a comprehensive copy editing service based on substantial experience of producing a wide range of publications and printed material.
There are three levels of copy editing:
- Level 1 – this requires fundamental editing skills
- Level 2 – more complex standard of editing
- Level 3 – overall management of the editorial project.
Copsewood Editorial Services also offers a copy editing service to students and the academic community.
Level 1
Level 1 copy editing involves any, or all, of the following:
- reading for sense
- correcting spelling, punctuation and grammar
- annotating text using standard proofing marks
- creating style sheet and word list
- checking for inconsistencies
- reorganising text to improve clarity
- replacing jargon with clearly understood English
- complying with in-house style
- abridging text to comply with specified length
- resolving queries with the author/s
- working with the audience/recipient in mind.
Fees: from £20.00 per hour
Level 2
Level 2 copy editing is more complex and may include:
- copy editing as described above
- substantial editing and rewriting
- rewriting text to improve legibility and clarity
- clarifying legal and copyright issues
- looking out for factual errors
- clearing permissions to enable use of image and/or quotes, where relevant
- writing captions
- transferring edits from hard copy to on-screen copy
- preparing text for desk-top publishing
- liaising with designer/s
- proofreading page layouts
- checking images and illustrations and identifying who should be credited
- ensuring that the design and layout enhance legibility
- making professonal judgements about the aesthetic quality of the publication.
Fees: from £25.00 per hour
Level 3
Level 3 involves overall management of the editorial project and may include:
- level 1 and level 2 copy editing as described above
- picture research
- commissioning, where relevant
- preparing the dtp version for print
- print buying
- liaising with printers
- checking printers' proofs
- signing off final page proofs.
Fees: from £27.00 per hour
Copy editing – academic sector
Copsewood Editorial Services offers a copy editing and proofreading service to students and academic staff involved in writing theses, dissertations, books and reports.
Fees: from £5.00 per 1,000 words.
Students are eligible to a 10% discount (on evidence of NUS membership).
To request an information pack, please click here.
Portfolio
See Portfolio for further information and samples of editorial work.