What do editors do?

Professional editors help convey your message clearly by structuring (or restructuring) your document for better flow. They polish language, perfect grammar and syntax, and ensure consistency in style, format, and references. Editors may also manage projects, coordinating with authors, designers, and publishers, and advising on the best format and design for your work.

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Editors perform two main types of editing: 

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Structural Editing

This involves reviewing content, language, structure, and style. Editors may suggest rearranging paragraphs or sentences for clarity and cohesiveness, and may also advise on design, illustration, and format.

Copyediting

This focuses on a detailed, line-by-line check to ensure clarity, consistency, and correctness in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and layout. Copyeditors also check illustrations, tables, links, and sequences.

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As most editors can perform both structural editing and copyediting, it's important to be clear about which service you need and what is allowed.

Do I need Editing or Proofreading?

The main difference between editing and proofreading is the extent of changes needed. Editing involves making many changes on each page, focusing on improving clarity, flow, and overall quality of the writing. Proofreading, on the other hand, is a final check that should require only a few changes per page, ensuring that all typographical errors and inconsistencies are corrected.

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Proofreaders look for issues such as grammar, spelling, and punctuation, but they also check for problems with format, consistency, and layout. While editors make more substantial changes to improve the content and structure of your document, proofreaders provide the last line of defense against errors before publication.

Why use an academic editor?

An academic editor can:

- Identify and correct errors
- Improve flow, clarity, and mechanics
- Assist with formatting and word count

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Editing helps students and researchers:

- Ensure clarity and conciseness
- Maintain consistency in terminology and presentation
- Spot errors often missed by authors
- Adhere to style and word limits
- Save time on content creation
- Achieve a unified voice in multi-author works
- Simplify technical language when needed

How much will it cost?

You should expect to pay a minimum of $80 per hour, up to $160 per hour or more, depending on the complexity of the task. For example, you may pay at the higher end of the scale for a combination of structural editing, copyediting and project management.  Some documents will need more work than others, often depending on how much work you have already invested in your writing through multiple drafts and self-editing. The total cost will depend on your own budget, the services you want and the level of work required. 

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For this reason it's best to send in a sample of your document and get a quote. I can give you an estimate based on hours or an overall quote, based on consideration of your document and the exact work required. 

​Is academic editing cheating?

No, academic editing is not cheating. Academic editing helps improve the clarity, coherence, and overall quality of your work without altering its fundamental content or ideas. Editors ensure your writing is clear, grammatically correct, and well-structured, helping you present your research or arguments effectively.

We do not create content or conduct research for you, but rather enhance the presentation of your own work.

Always check your institution’s guidelines to understand what level of editing assistance is permitted.