Roberta Basarbolieva's
Compelling Edits

Editing is an umbrella term for a range of increasingly complex activities professionals can do with your manuscript to make it better. Editing could be a deep dive into your manuscript, with advice on how to improve structure and ideas in order for your message to go across exactly as you want it to.

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If you are unclear on the difference between editing and proofreading, the UK's Chartered Institute for Editors and Proofreaders (CIEP) has put together an excellent ebook guide on the topic, that can be accessed by visiting the Resources section on their website, or directly by clicking on this link.

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Why do you need professional editing?

 

The most important reason lies in that outside perspective that a professional editor offers. She ensures that your message comes across exactly as you mean it, and there are no errors in fact, structure, continuity, grammar, spelling to detract from your message.

Once your manuscript has been edited and before it goes to printing, it is a good idea to get it proofread. Proofreading focuses more heavily on word spacing, paragraphing, fonts, and the general layout of your text now that the content has been finalised. The proofreader also ensures consistency in everything, from spelling to formatting.

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Find out more about what the proofreading process entails.

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Keep in mind that even after proofreading, your text will not be 100% error-free. Proofreaders are human, too, and may miss things. However, a good proofreader will clear 80% of any errors left after a good edit.