Editorial Services
If you’re tempted to skip this step, then please consider how serious you are about publishing.
Regardless of the proficiency of the author, every manuscript needs professional copy editing and proofreading.
Not all are in need of content editing. Because we care greatly about the quality of your book,
working with a professional editor is a strongly-recommended step. (We’d require it, but we’re not your publisher!)
You really don’t want to see what happens if you skip it. It’s not pretty.
Content Editing
This is the first of two main steps in manuscript editing. Content editing addresses and offers suggestions on global content issues in the manuscript rather than technical issues. This includes tone, repetition, unclear points, need for additional content as well as deletion of unnecessary content, and whether the target audience is being adequately addressed and the goals of the author are being met. Also addresses similar content questions in front matter, e.g., copyright page, foreword, preface and introduction. Some manuscripts are in great need of this super-thorough stage of editing and others can skip right to copy editing. Our staff can give you an unbiased opinion if you’re unsure.
Copy Editing
This is the final editing step and happens before beginning interior design and layout. It includes basic technical editing tasks such as checking grammar, usage, organization, and consistency, along with thorough attention to style, consistency and accuracy of annotations, bibliography, and text citations.
Proofreading
Proofreading happens after the interior layout is complete. This is your last chance to find any problems before going to press. It includes checking for typographical errors, misspelled words, punctuation, consistent style elements, and other basic errors. It must be complete prior to indexing.
Indexing
Creation of a high-quality, concise index structured to accurately reflect the book’s contents is imperative to many non-fiction books. Not including one can actually cause some booksellers enough to reject your book. It’s a highly-specialized skill. You’d be amazed by what goes into a quality index! This is the last step before sending the book to press.
Ghostwriting
No, this is not a supernatural phenomenon, although it may seem like it when you receive your manuscript! If you’re unsure of your writing skills or just don’t have time to write (and have a very large budget), this is the trick to getting it done. Working closely with you to get the facts and/or story, the ghostwriter—who usually remains anonymous to the public—will interview you, write your initial manuscript, and may even contribute to the research behind it.