A copy edit involves a professional editor reviewing your manuscript to correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar, while also flagging issues with clarity, consistency, or repetition. More thorough than proofreading, a copy edit ensures your book enters production as polished as possible.
Proofreading is the final quality check of your manuscript after it has been formatted for print. It focuses on catching spelling, grammar and typographical errors. As a self-published author, you approve all corrections before your book is published, giving you complete control over the final version.
For non-fiction authors, our professional indexing service produces clear, high-quality indexes designed for readers. Our indexers take an objective approach, ensuring consistency, accuracy and ease of use so that information can be located quickly and efficiently. This adds a polished, professional finish to your book, enhancing its usability and credibility.
If you have a manuscript and aren’t sure what to do next, we’re here to help. Whether over the phone, email or in person, our experienced team of self-publishing experts can answer your questions and explain how self-publishing with Troubador can help you achieve your goals.
Will the editor of my book comment on its structure, pace and characterisation?
The two editorial services that we offer (a copy edit and/or a proof read) are corrective, not opinionated, and therefore the editor will not comment on aspects such as characterisation, pace or structure. However, we do offer an opinionated edit service through our sister company, Indie-Go.co.uk, if you are looking for a more in-depth edit, which may prompt a redraft of your book. This service includes a copy edit, alongside a feedback document in which the editor will advise on areas such as target audience and genre, structure, narrative and dialogue.
How long will it take to edit my book?
Whether a copy edit or a proof read, our editorial services take approximately 4–8 weeks to complete as, although it may only take a week to carry out the work, an editor may not be immediately available to edit your book as they have other work booked in.
How much will it cost to have my book edited?
The cost for our editorial services is based on the word count of your book, and on the amount of work required (especially with poorly formatted and writtten manuscripts). Bespoke editorial costs for your book will be included on your quotation.
Should I get a copy-edit or proof read, or both?
Both a copy edit and a proof read are incredibly useful for getting your manuscript into the best shape it can be for publication. However, they provide very different services, which must be considered when thinking about what to opt for. A copy edit is an in-depth, corrective edit of a manuscript prior to typesetting/layout, which looks for any mistakes in spelling, grammar, consistency and style. It’s a deep dive into your story, to make it as correct and as publishable as possible. A copy edit is not is a critique of the manuscript. A proof read is a final read-through of the typeset book, to ensure there are no remaining surface-level errors. Ideally, both services are recommended... though if it’s a choice between the two, the best gift you can give your work is a copy edit – a more thorough, more intensive edit, which will increase accuracy and readability. In addition to a proof read carried out by an experienced proof reader, though, we always advise authors to read their typeset book carefully, as you will spot errors!
Will I have ongoing contact with my editor?
If you have any questions, queries or comments after the completion of an edit, these will be dealt with by our Assistant Editorial Manager, either by answering them directly or by being an intermediary with your editor. This means that you will have a consistent point of contact to refer to for anything editorial.
How will my manuscript be marked up?
For a copy edit service, your manuscript will be marked up using 'track changes' in Microsoft Word. Any amendments, additions or deletions will be recorded as a 'track changes' or as a comment on the MS Word document, which you will then be able to review and either accept or reject. A proof read mark-up is different – as the book has been typeset, the editor will read through your manuscript as a PDF file and mark-up any changes using standard proof marks on the PDF itself (you will be provided with a proof mark guide, detailing what each mark means).
