Frequently Asked Questions

Topics: prices, plagiarism, spellcheck, getting a quote, payment, style guides

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What kinds of writing do you edit?

If it contains words, then chances are I will edit it. Types of writing that I have edited in the past include web content, blog posts, short stories, essays, research papers, proposals, articles, novels, and more.

While I have edited university-level research papers in the sciences, I do not typically take on academic writing in more technical fields outside of the undergraduate or graduate level. Most scientific writing requires editing by someone with a better grasp of technical jargon and more expertise than I have.

I have seen other editors offer services that you don’t list here. What is the difference between the different types of editing?

What are your qualifications as an editor?

I graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. While I was in school, I worked in the university’s writing centre, for a tutoring company as an English and Humanities tutor, and in the enrolment department where I wrote grant proposals.

In 2018, I was a founding member of Ambrosia Literary Review, a literary magazine that provided an opportunity for the students and greater community of Ambrose University to share and showcase their writing. While with Ambrosia, I acted as submissions and copy editor, layout editor, and managing editor.

I recently received certification for the completion of an editing course, and I plan on continuing my editorial learning journey for as long as I am an editor.

For more information about my experience and qualifications, visit my LinkedIn profile.

Do I need editing for my research paper or essay?

Yes, almost definitely. Even professional writers are subject to human error and need some kind of copy editing or proofreading.

When we write, we are focused on the words and big ideas, and often miss little things like grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Even editors need editors! In fact, I had this page edited before it was published to make sure I wasn’t overlooking any errors. Even if you have a good grasp of your research and main ideas, it is a good idea to have a second set of eyes look over your paper to catch any missed errors.

Do you check for plagiarism?

When editing an academic document, I will assume that all citations are correct and that anything not cited is the author’s original work. I will flag anything that sounds like it should be cited, but I do not explicitly check for plagiarism.

Will you make changes to my work as you edit?

I use the Track Changes feature in Microsoft Word and Suggesting mode in Google Docs to track all changes and comments that I make while editing. You will have the chance to review and accept or reject any suggestions or changes I make once I return the document to you.

I will never change your writing in any way that would make it not sound like your writing. As an editor, my goal is to remain as impartial as possible and to only change things that are actual errors, even if I would have personally worded or structured something differently.

Why do I need an editor when I have spellcheck?

As great as spellcheck is at catching grossly misspelled words, it fails to take into account the meaning of the word being used and the context in which it is found. Editors will catch spelling and punctuation errors just like spellcheck, yes, but they will also look at sentences, paragraphs, and texts as a whole and do what a computer cannot do (yet)—be a second set of human eyes.

A good example of the shortcomings of spellcheck is found in commonly misused words like “led” and “lead,” which are homophones (words that sound the same but are spelled differently and have different meanings). I have seen too many social media posts talking about how someone was “lead to believe” something or other. Spellcheck wouldn’t notice, here, that the past tense of “lead” is actually “led,” and that “lead” the way it is pronounced in that sentence is a type of metal. That is why you need an editor!

What should I include in my request for a quote?

When filling out the request form, please select the package type in the drop-down menu so I have an idea of what kind of work you are looking for. Other details you can add include word count, genre or subject of the writing, and any other expectations you may have for the project.

You can also include a sample of the text you want edited so I have an idea of what type of editing it needs before issuing an estimate.

How soon will I hear back after requesting a quote? And what are the next steps?

In order to respect your time, I try to be as timely as possible and will get back to you within one to two business days after you send in your initial request.

Next, I will send you an editing agreement based on this template, which we will both sign to ensure that we are on the same page and that the editing services are fair to both parties. If you are a student, you will have to gain permission from your instructor to receive editing services before we can continue, using the form found here.

How do I send you my document?

I prefer all texts to be sent as Microsoft Word files. However, I also accept Google docs and PDFs. You will email your file to me (or share it via Google Drive) once you have received the initial quote.

What happens after I send in my manuscript or assignment?

Once you send me your document, I will review it and provide you with a timeframe of when I will be able to complete the editing, as well as any initial questions I have about the work.

I will mark up your document using Track Changes, the industry standard for editing, so that you can see any changes or suggestions I made in my edit. Editing is a collaborative process, so feel free to ask me any questions you have along the way, and I will do the same.

What if I have a really short or really long piece of writing?

Say you are asked to write a social media post for your work’s Instagram page, or you are an author completing a 80,000 word novel. Do the editing rates posted on the Rates & Services page apply? With cases such as these, I would recommend contacting me directly to discuss a fee structure that would work best for your project.

How long will the editing process take?

That depends on both the type of editing you require and how urgently you need it to be completed. I am happy to work with you to match your timeline as best I can. Generally, I edit at an average rate of 4-5 pages per hour, but that rate also depends on the level of editing involved.

Keep in mind that I may have other editing projects on the go (plus, I have a full-time job!) so I am only able to take rush requests on a case-by-case basis.

Do I have to accept all the suggestions and comments you make?

No. You will have the option to review and accept or reject any changes, suggestions, or comments I make. However, rejecting or disliking my suggestions is not a basis for refusing to pay the previously agreed amount.

How and when do I pay?

Once I have sent you the final edit of your text, I will issue an invoice that is payable within 30 days of receipt. I am currently only able to receive payments by Interac e-transfer. You will receive further instructions upon receipt of the invoice.

What guidelines do you follow in your editing?

I adhere to the Professional Editorial Standards of Editors Canada when editing any type of project. For academic texts, I refer to the Editors Canada guidelines for editing undergraduate and graduate texts.

Which dictionary/style guide do you use?

For spelling, I refer to the Canadian Oxford Dictionary, 2nd edition. For style, I use The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition for all non-academic texts, unless otherwise specified.

For student texts, I am familiar with most academic style and formatting guides, including MLA, APA, and Chicago/Turabian.