Services
We provide different services for the different stages that a project may be in. Terms used for different types of editing can be confusing (even for editors), so please see below for what are included in the services offered by Id Est Editing.
We can also combine services as a package or provide services on an ongoing basis if you have a steady flow of projects. This is especially useful for shorter text such as blog posts or social media posts. Please let us know the specifics of your potential project, and we can discuss further.
Copyediting
Copyediting polishes your writing with a close and thorough reading of the document. This ensures that your audience can enjoy the information you want to share rather than focusing on typos, missing words, or grammatical errors.
Before the start of the project, we send our clients a questionnaire to find out more about preferences on style details. Our preference is for the material to be edited in a Word document with Track Changes. This allows us to add queries and comments in the margins, and it allows you to accept or reject each revision or suggestion. We can also work with Google Docs or LaTeX files (using LyX) in a similar manner, if needed. PDF documents are not suggested at this stage as we will not be able to make changes directly to the text, and you would be responsible for the actual revision of the text. However, we can discuss further if this is your only option.
Copyediting services include:
- Checking for correct and consistent spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization, hyphenation, and numbering
- Checking for consistent formatting throughout the text, including headings, lists, and captions
- Ensuring that a text is consistent with a specific style, if requested, along with any client specifications
- Checking basic facts, continuity, and inconsistencies
- If graphics are included, checking whether the captions accurately describe the graphic and whether the text and numbers within the graphic make sense in the context of the text
- If there is a glossary, checking that all terms are included in the text and definitions are consistent
- Checking footnotes, endnotes, and bibliographies for style, numbering, and whether they are properly cross-referenced (please note that extensive formatting of references is a separate service)
Along with the edited manuscript, clients will receive a stylesheet specific to the project, which records author preferred choices beyond the chosen style guide. We will incorporate the answers to the initial questionnaire and other style choices we see within the manuscript itself.
Copyediting services also include one optional query reconciliation in which the client’s answers to editor queries are integrated into the manuscript to the best of the editor’s ability.
Copyediting services do not include checking for technical accuracy, checking whether ideas are developed or articulated correctly, or developing the language of the text for style, flow, quality, structure, word choice, or author’s voice. We do offer a separate service for technical review. However, if the language of the text may need further development beyond what copyediting encompasses, we would be happy to refer you to another colleague for developmental or line editing.
Proofreading
Proofreading is the final step in preparing a document for publication after all other editing and the print layout have been completed. It ensures that the document is as close to error-free as possible before it makes its public debut. Proofreading will most likely be completed on a PDF document, though it can be completed on Microsoft Word or Google Docs for shorter projects (such as blog posts or social media posts).
Proofreading services include:
- Comparing the files of a laid-out book against the copyedited manuscript to ensure no editorial or layout errors have been missed or introduced
- Checking formatting and typesetting issues, such as font consistency, page and line breaks, widows & orphans, kerning, running heads, page numbers, spacing issues, etc.
- Checking for typos, double words, missed words, or stray marks
- Checking for incorrect or inconsistent spelling, grammar, punctuation, hyphenation, and capitalization, but only as it relates to the stylesheet. For longer projects, if you do not have a stylesheet, it may be recommended that the text go through the copyediting process first. We also offer a separate service to assist an organization in developing their own in-house style guide to be used for all communications.
If multiple proofreading passes are needed, all additional proofreading passes are the same rate. There is no query reconciliation for proofreading since any needed changes will likely be made by those handling the layout of the manuscript.
Other Services
Transcription or Captions Proofing
We will compare machine-generated transcriptions or captions to the original media (both audio and video files are acceptable) to ensure accuracy. If there are time stamps or speaker labeling, we will make sure they are marked accurately. We will also check the spelling, punctuation, and consistency of style and formatting. This is great for podcasts, lectures, webinars and conference material, as well as for those who want to provide greater accessibility of your content.
Style Guide Creation
We will work together with you to create a house style guide that is specific to your entire organization. This style guide can be used for all materials in your organization so that your brand looks consistent and cohesive. A style guide will note down your organization’s preferences for spelling and punctuation style. It also lists names and important proper nouns, other distinct terms that may be unfamiliar to readers, and even specific formatting notes.
Technical Review
Our technical reviewer will review the surface-level technical accuracy of your manuscript. This is great for journal articles, white papers, study guides, and instructional material. This includes:
- Checking all calculations are correct
- Checking that the results and conclusions flow logically from the research
- For study guides or instructional material, checking that all answers to study questions are accurate and unambiguous
- Commenting on underlying assumptions
Please note that this is not the same as a normal peer review. Our reviewer will not be reviewing novelty or technical excellence, only whether the technical material seems to be accurate and logical as presented in the text. Basically, this service will help catch “stupid” errors that may lead peer reviewers to have a negative impression of your work.
Rates
We want to partner with you to convey your ideas and expertise to your intended audience in the best way possible. We are dedicated to understanding and respecting your unique objectives and voice. In the same way, every project is unique. While we use rate recommendations from the Editorial Freelancers Association as a starting point, rates can vary depending on many factors including type of services requested, word count, the complexity and level of technical depth of the text, and the timetable of the project. This is why we ask for the full manuscript prior to sending an estimate. Please be assured that all material sent to us will be held in the strictest confidence per our Privacy & Confidentiality Policy. If you have a predetermined budget for editing, please let us know when contacting us. We also offer discounts through our mailing list as well as for referrals.
Payment
Once the contract agreement is signed, you may be asked to provide a deposit, which will be due prior to the start of a project. The remainder will be expected from you upon completion of services. If the project is large or ongoing over a long period of time, we may ask for regular installments of payments over the course of the project. All expected payments will be included in the estimate prior to any signed agreements and will not change unless agreed-upon beforehand by the client.
All major credit cards and electronic bank payments are accepted. Please let us know if you prefer any other forms of payment prior to the start of the project so that we can discuss further.
Editorial Process
- Initial inquiry for a quote: Please include as much information in the contact form as possible such as type of service(s) you are interested in, contact information, and the details of your specific project. If possible, please also send the manuscript as a single, electronic file, regardless of length. If you are interested in a sample edit, please let us know (more details in the FAQ).
- Manuscript review: Once we receive your inquiry and full manuscript, we will assess the nature and scope of the work. We may contact you for further information if needed so that we can fully understand the details of your project.
- Estimate and Project Specification Questionnaire: Based on the manuscript and the services requested, we will prepare and send you a written estimate of the costs and timeline for the project. We will also send you a project specifications questionnaire, which will ask more about style preferences and project-specific notes.
- Contract and Deposit: If you decide to move ahead with the project and return the filled-out questionnaire, we will send you a prepared contract that you will be able to sign electronically and return online before work begins. This ensures that expectations are clear and the scope of the project is clearly defined. Per the estimate, we may ask for a deposit prior to starting the project, and this deposit would be due at the same time as the contract.
- Services: Once we receive everything, we will start the project timeline for all requested services as agreed-upon.
- Materials Sent: When services are complete, we will return all the edited material to you, along with a stylesheet (if part of the service).
- Query Reconciliation: For copyediting services, we offer an optional query reconciliation stage. There are queries included with the text (for Word documents, they would be found in the comments). You would answer the queries within the agreed-upon time and then return the document with the answered queries to us. We will incorporate all of your answers to the best of our ability and return the updated manuscript and stylesheet to you.
- Final Payment: Once all services are completed, we will send you the final invoice for payment.
Interested in proceeding with your project or want to know more?