My Services

I offer professional proofreading, copy-editing and proof-editing services for fiction and non-fiction, together with specialist technical review and editing for computing and IT-related material.

Every project is different, so the appropriate level of editorial intervention will depend on the manuscript, its stage of development and what you would like me to achieve. If you're unsure which service you need, I'm happy to discuss your project with you.

Proofreading

Proofreading is normally the final editorial check before publication. At this stage, the text should already have been edited and be close to its finished form, so the level of intervention is relatively light.

I will check for remaining errors in spelling, grammar and punctuation, as well as inconsistencies and problems that may have been missed during earlier stages or introduced during editing and formatting. I will also check elements such as headings, page furniture, tables, captions and other displayed material where appropriate.

The aim is to catch those final errors and inconsistencies without making unnecessary changes to the author's text.

Copy-editing

Copy-editing involves a greater level of intervention and takes place before the final proofreading stage.

As well as correcting spelling, grammar and punctuation, I will consider clarity, consistency, sentence construction, word choice, readability and the logical flow of the text. I will suggest, or make changes, where wording could be improved and raise queries where something is unclear, inconsistent or requires a decision from the author.

For fiction, particular attention can also be given to matters such as consistency of character details, dialogue, point of view, timelines and other elements that may affect the reader's experience, while respecting the author's individual voice and style.

Proof-editing

Proof-editing falls between traditional proofreading and copy-editing and can be particularly useful when a manuscript requires more intervention than would normally be appropriate during a proofread.

A proof-edit may include the corrections expected during proofreading together with some copy-editing of wording, sentence construction, consistency and readability. I may also raise queries or suggest changes where the text would benefit from further attention by the author.

This can be appropriate, for example, when a manuscript has reached the proofreading stage without previously having undergone a formal copy-edit.

Technical editing and review

My 45-year background in computing and IT, combined with extensive experience as a technical author, contributing author and technical editor/reviewer, enables me to offer a specialist technical editing and review service.

In addition to normal editorial checks, I can review computing and IT-related material for technical accuracy, clarity and suitability for its intended audience. This can include books, articles, technical papers, documentation and other specialist material.

Not sure which service you need?

The distinction between proofreading, copy-editing and proof-editing isn't always obvious, particularly for independent authors managing the publication process themselves.

If you're unsure, please get in touch and tell me a little about your project. I can discuss the manuscript with you and help determine the level of editorial intervention that would be most appropriate.

Last updated: August 2026