Book Manuscript Editing

What is Different about Book Editing?

Book editing is a rich sub-speciality of academic editing, owing to the wide range of needs of clients submitting manuscripts. Manuscripts include those written to be self-published or with a publisher in mind; they may be adapted from a student’s thesis, scientific paper or research paper; or they may be the result of a collaborative effort, combining chapters from multiple authors or being wholly co-authored. For all manuscript authors, their document represents an enormous investment, often over many years, with the expectation that publication success will bring career and hopefully financial rewards.

Working with a Publisher

The problem is, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a traditional publisher. As the publishing industry changes in the digital age, fewer manuscripts are being accepted for publication, making getting published increasingly competitive. It has become the responsibility of authors to ensure that their manuscripts are already of an exemplary standard before they will even be considered. The new norm is that, as early as the book proposal stage, publishers expect that you will already have had the benefit of professional manuscript editing.

Many authors of scientific manuscripts use developmental editing services to bring their material up to scratch. Developmental editors can get involved at the very start of the writing process, even going as far as helping scientific authors with the conception, structure, and outline of their book. In essence, developmental editing is extreme substantive editing, a service which Capstone Editing provides. 

Self-Publishing

The competitiveness of being published has contributed to many authors choosing to self-publish. While this is perfectly viable, it does mean that they don’t benefit from the rigorous book editing that comes when you work with a publishing house. As a result, finding the right manuscript editor to safeguard the final quality of your publication is particularly important.

Capstone Editing’s experienced scientific manuscript and non-fiction book editors are among the very best in Australia, so you can rest assured that your work will receive the special attention that it deserves.

Capstone Editing’s Book Editing Services

Manuscript authors can select from the full range of services offered by Capstone Editing.

Premium Copyediting

Capstone Editing’s Premium Copyediting service is the ideal choice for clients requiring manuscript editing. Our highly experienced copy editors will edit your manuscript for language (including grammar, spelling and punctuation); logic, clarity and flow; internal consistency and completeness; and structure. For those clients who are targeting a specific publisher or genre, your editor will ensure that your manuscript adheres to the required house style, formatting and referencing guidelines.

You can submit your manuscript online for our Premium Copyediting service at any time.

Substantive and Platinum (Heavy) Editing

For authors or academics whose manuscripts require more work to give them either the best chance for traditional publication or the greatest sales potential possible if self-publishing, we offer two more intensive editing options:

• Substantive Editing:
  Capstone Editing’s Substantive Editing service builds on the Premium Copyediting service by including additional work to improve any organisational, structural, logic or flow issues the manuscript may have. If necessary, book editors will work with authors on rewording the text of the manuscript to ensure maximum effectiveness of expression. For clients adapting their theses into manuscripts for publication, this is the service for you.
• Platinum (Heavy) Editing:
  In addition to all aspects provided by the Premium Copyediting service, Capstone Editing’s Platinum (Heavy) Editing service includes substantial sentence rewording and detailed assistance and advice on matters of organisation and structure, as well as statements requiring further support. This service was designed specifically for non-Native English (ESL) writers, but would be suitable for any client whose prose would benefit from a deeper level of editing.

If you would like information about prices for our Substantive or Heavy Editing service, please email us with the manuscript for editing and details about how we can help you.

Proofreading

Our book proofreading service is designed for those manuscripts that have been previously copyedited or that do not require structural or language editing. Capstone Editing’s proofreaders will ensure your manuscript is consistent, perfectly presented and publication-ready.

Simply email us today, with your document attached, to request the book proofreading service.

Tailor-Made Services

Capstone Editing also offers tailor-made book editing solutions. Whether you want formatting only, require alternate referencing and conversion of your manuscript into American English for publishing on the American market, or are a publisher looking for a reliable provider of Premium Copyediting services capable of handling any volume of work, we can help. 

For more information about our rates for research or scientific manuscript or novel editing, simply email us with your requirements and the document concerned.