Quick guide to editorial services

This guide outlines what value editorial services add and helps you find York Editors skilled in each area.

Publishing projects vary. Our members are always happy to discuss just how they can help you.

Editing

An editor makes sure your writing is clear, correct and consistent.

Editing has different levels. Some editors specialise; others work across a range. But all professional editors make sure your voice shines through, in print or online.

Copy-editing fine-tunes your text once it’s been written but before it’s laid out in final form. Copy-editors:

make sure your writing is clear and reads smoothly
iron out wording that could confuse readers (such as shortening paragraphs or rephrasing technical language)
correct mistakes in grammar, punctuation or spelling
flag up inconsistencies or factual errors
highlight missing information (such as contact details or references)
check that any illustrations are complete and clear
match your writing to any house style or company guidelines
mark up the text so the designer knows how to set it
raise any queries for you to double-check

Development editing (also called substantive or structural editing) is an earlier, deeper stage, tailored to each project.

Development editors work with you to improve what you have written so far or to develop your idea from scratch. They can help you:

focus your thinking
plan the best approach
decide on the right style and format to reach your audience
structure or restructure your writing for best impact
make cuts to sharpen your text or additions to clarify it
consider design and other elements to boost your message (such as case studies, film clips, figures or quotations)
improve your writing in detail, line by line

Find York Editors who offer various editing services.

Proofreading

A proofreader catches mistakes before your work is published.

Proofreading is the last chance to check text after it’s laid out in its final form.

Proofreaders don’t make big changes. Their job is to pick up errors. They will:

correct any last mistakes in grammar, punctuation and spelling
make sure everything is in the right place and style
check signpost features, like captions, cross-references and links
raise any final queries for you to resolve
double-check further proofs if there have been lots of changes

Tiny errors can have a big impact. It makes sense to have your material proofread, even if your text has been edited.

If your text hasn’t been copy-edited, many proofreaders offer more in-depth checking, sometimes called proof-editing.

Talk to your proofreader about which level you need.

Find York Editors who offer proofreading services.

Writing and rewriting

A writer crafts your ideas into powerful copy that gets your message to your audience.

A writer will work with you to:

clarify and sharpen your message
pinpoint who you want to hear it – and what you want them to do as a result
decide the most effective way to reach your audience
create content that works in your chosen formats

Some editors specialise in rewriting (also called repurposing). They can:

rewrite technical or specialist language into plain English
reword existing material for a different audience
rework text from one format into another (such as a printed leaflet into web content)
cut text to a given length
summarise long, complex or multiple documents

Find York Editors who offer writing or rewriting services.

Language editing

A language editor polishes your writing so that it sounds natural to UK readers.

You may need language editing (also called anglicisation) if you are writing for UK readers but:

your first language isn’t English
your first language is another form of English, such as Australian or American English
your material has been translated into UK English
you are a foreign student writing a dissertation or thesis in the UK

Find York Editors who offer language editing.

Editorial project management

An experienced editor can take the publishing process off your plate.

A project manager can:

keep everything on schedule and to budget
chase copy or comments
bring material together
brief designers and other freelancers
work with printers or web developers

Find York Editors happy to discuss project management.

Want to know more?

Editing is a skilled profession. Learn more about professional standards in the UK from the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading and the Publishing Training Centre.