I write and edit for government, small business, schools, postgraduate students and community organisations.
Here are the basic steps of my work process so you know up-front how I do what I do and how we can work well together:
1. Define scope of work
Whether you are after my editing or writing services (or both), after you make contact with me, I will send you a brief to fill out and return via email so we are both clear from the start about what your project is all about: how big it is, what you want to achieve and what exactly you want me to do.
For editing projects, I may also ask you to provide a small, representative sample of your written material (from the middle or end) which I will then edit for you without charge. This will allow me to provide an accurate quotation and also means you can see the quality of my work before deciding to hire me.
2. Quotation
Based on your feedback in the brief and (where relevant) the edited sample, I will provide you with a quotation which will include details about what I have agreed to do for you, when I will deliver and how long it will take. For writing projects, any research I need to do, or interviews, will be included in the quote. Turnaround times vary, depending on what other work I have on at the same time, but I will be clear about how I intend on meeting your deadline in the quote.
3. Deposit of 50%
Once you have accepted my quote via email and I have received your 50% deposit, I commence work on your project.
4. Work commences
My preferred method for editing is to use track changes and comments in Word. This is the quickest way to edit in a digital format. I can then email your document back to you (or if it is very large, I will send a Dropbox link). Once you receive the marked-up version of your document, you can choose which edits to accept or reject.
If you need me to edit on PDF, I can mark those up using the various tools provided by Adobe Acrobat, however this takes longer than it does to edit in Word. For large PDF files, the most time-efficient way for me to edit is for you to provide a low-res version and I will edit it in chunks of about 10 pages each.
Most writing projects are straight forward and are done in Word. I am very happy to discuss any other specific requirements you may have in relation to research in the scoping stage.
Please note that I do all my own work myself. I do not subcontract your project out to anyone else. That way I can ensure your project will receive the highest-quality attention.
5. Final payment
Once I have worked my editing and/or writing magic for you, and delivered your completed project, I will send you a final invoice. My payment terms are 14 days.
For thesis editing, I normally need to receive final payment prior to returning your edited thesis.
Styles and standards
I adhere to the Institute of Professional Editors’ Australian standards for editing practice.
My default style guide is the latest version of the Australian style manual for authors, editors and printers by Snooks & co. I will write or edit according to any university or house style guide or other conventions, according to your specific needs.
My default guides for Australian spelling are the most recent versions of the Macquarie Dictionary and Macquarie Thesaurus, however, I will of course write or edit according to your preferred dictionary.