EDITING SERVICES
I absolutely get it — you’ve been researching, writing, editing and fine-tuning your masterpiece, and finally, it’s almost ready for publication. But having read over your work for what seems like the hundredth time, you know it makes sense to find an experienced, professional academic copyeditor to ensure your work meets the highest publication standards.
Whether your manuscript needs a light touch to add shine or a heavier hand to improve flow, the Detail Devil can help. After years of working with academic researchers — early, mid and late career — I’ve carefully designed the following options with your needs in mind. Scroll down the page for details of each option. For details of the process of submitting a manuscript to me, see the FAQs.
Option 1 Copyediting (one pass)
Option 2 Copyediting (two passes)
Option 3 Proofreading
Option 4 Page proof
Option 5 Manuscript/thesis formatting
Option 6 Reference formatting
OPTION 1
- Ensure appropriate use of language such as grammar, syntax, punctuation, spelling (Australian, British, US, NZ etc.) and clarity of expression
- Ensure consistent use of language (capitalisation, hyphenation, abbreviation, etc.)
- Flag overly wordy sentences, tense issues, passive voice, repetition and redundancy (see also Option 2)
- Crosscheck in-text citations with your reference list, checking that URLs work and flagging omitted information
- Ensure adherence to your preferred style guide, such as APA’s Publication manual, the Australian Style manual, MLA, the Oxford guide to style etc.
- Create an editorial summary and style/vocab sheet, recording my decisions with regard to language, style and referencing issues
- Any items in Options 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 (unless specifically requested)
- Rewriting, restructuring or substantive editing
- Research or fact checking
OPTION 2
- Ensure appropriate use of language such as grammar, syntax, punctuation, spelling (Australian, British, US, NZ etc.) and clarity of expression
- Ensure consistent use of language (capitalisation, hyphenation, abbreviation, etc.)
- Flag overly wordy sentences, tense issues, passive voice, repetition and redundancy (1st pass)
- Crosscheck in-text citations with your reference list, checking that URLs work and flagging omitted information
- Ensure adherence to your preferred style guide, such as APA’s Publication manual, the Australian Style manual, MLA, the Oxford guide to style etc.
- Create an editorial summary and style/vocab sheet, recording my decisions with regard to language, style and referencing issues
- During the second pass, revise overly wordy sentences, ensure tense issues have been fully addressed, review use of passive voice over active, remove or flag repetition and redundancy, iron out any remaining inconsistencies and pick up anything that may have been missed during the first pass
- Any items in Options 3, 4, 5 or 6 (unless specifically requested)
- Rewriting, restructuring or substantive editing
- Research or fact checking
OPTION 3
- Ensure that no errors have crept into the manuscript from previous rounds of copyediting or formatting
- Review visual elements (typography, heading hierarchy, page layout, figures, tables and captions)
- Review formatting (widows/orphans are eliminated, tables are not split unnecessarily, page layout)
- Ensure integrity (that all elements of the manuscript are present and in the correct place)
- Any items in Options 1, 2. 5 or 6 (unless specifically requested)
- Rewriting, restructuring, or substantive editing
- Research or fact checking
OPTION 4
- Ensure that no errors have crept into the manuscript from previous rounds of copyediting or formatting
- Review visual elements (typography, heading hierarchy, page layout, figures, tables and captions)
- Review formatting (widows/orphans are eliminated, tables are not split unnecessarily, page layout)
- Ensure integrity (that all elements of the manuscript are present and in the correct place)
- Any items in Options 1, 2. 5 or 6 (unless specifically requested)
- Rewriting, restructuring, or substantive editing
- Research or fact checking
OPTION 5
- Create and apply Word styles to every part of your document (headings, body text, block quotes, tables/figures, captions, bulleted/numbered lists, references, appendices, glossary and any other style you might need, ensuring adherence to your preferred style guide and/or university requirements
- Ensure correct table, figure and appendix numbering throughout
- Create the Table of Contents and Lists of Tables, Figures and Abbreviations, and compile Appendices
- Ensure correct page numbering (with preliminary pages using Roman numerals if required), applying section breaks where needed
- Assemble all parts of your manuscript and check all the elements are present and in the right place
- Ensure your manuscript presents professionally and beautifully
OPTION 6
- Format your reference list to the desired style, e.g. APA, Harvard, AMA, CMoS or publisher requirements
- Flag omitted information, inconsistencies and errors
- Check URLs and flag where incorrect
- Looking up omitted elements of a reference
- Creating a reference list from in-text citations