Editing

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WHAT IS EDITING?
``Writing works best when it’s simple and direct. This doesn’t mean that you can’t be subtle, and clever, and elegant. It does mean that you can almost always prune and trim your text, thereby exposing the beauty that lies at the heart of it.`` ~ Richard Beynon

I specialise in working with authors who require the services of an English-language book editor in South Africa and beyond. My job is to turn a manuscript into a masterpiece.

Many people think that editors are proofreaders who fix spelling, grammatical and punctuation errors. Although this is part of what a book editor does, an editor's role is far more intricate than simply being a grammar Nazi. An editor is the glue that brings the right elements of a book together, the broom that sweeps out the cobwebs, and the polisher that turns something that may have initially been substandard into a work of art.

Whether the language your book is written in is your first language or not, sending your book to print without first having it professionally edited is a gargantuan mistake. Many writers will submit their unedited manuscripts to publishers before they have been thoroughly checked by a professional book editor or proofreader and then wonder why they don't receive a response.

The same goes for self-publishing. Many indie authors do their own editing and proofreading (often due to financial constraints), and my only advice here is: JUST DON'T.

You might be so excited to submit your manuscript to a publisher or upload it to Amazon that you skim over your content and only realise much later that there are glaring errors or huge gaps in the story line. As an indie author, it will probably be a reader who gives you a bad review, bringing the matter to your attention (and that of the reading public) in a most unwelcome (and irreversible) way. A bad book review can tarnish your book and your credibility as an author forever, especially if it has been posted on Amazon or Goodreads.

THE EDITING PROCESS

There are three different types of editing that I offer, each one requiring different levels of involvement from a time perspective. The level of editing I will perform on your manuscript is going to depend on the finished product that you hand over to me. A well-written manuscript may only require the polish of a copy-edit (or a proof-read if it's already been through the magic of an editor's pen), but it might be the case that you've put your thoughts out there but there is plenty of work still to be done. I don't judge, I simply edit.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK...

Substantive Editing (Let's tell your story better)
Also referred to as structural editing or line editing, this is the most time-consuming edit. While I will automatically identify and correct technical errors (for example, spelling, grammar, punctuation and syntax, and internal consistency issues) as I go through your manuscript, my focus will be primarily on helping you tell your story BETTER. I will edit your manuscript in painstaking detail to make sure that everything you have written makes sense, that the content flows (and that you haven't gone off on a tangent), and that your use of the English language is correct. This process is not for the overly sensitive and can be quite ruthless. It may require full or partial rewrites, either from my side or yours. Stock up on tissues.
Copy-editing (Let's make sure everything is correct from a technical perspective)
Even the most proficient writer can miss basic mistakes. Grammatical errors, typos, missing punctuation marks, and inconsistencies (both in your characters and your plot/setting, and in captalisation, spelling, numbers, fonts, and the use of hyphens and quotation marks) are often overlooked in the rush to get your book off to the publishers. Copy-editing involves checking that your content is correct (and in line with industry standards) and that your message is consistent, accurate and complete. You might still need a box of tissues handy, but less so than with a substantive edit.
Proofreading (Let's sweep out any gremlins that might still be lurking between the lines)
Proofreading is the final stage of editing and involves carefully reading the work word for word and making sure that textual and visual errors that were missed at the line editing and copy-editing stage are identified and corrected. No matter how proficient your editor was, don't assume that they would have picked up on every little error. Neglecting to have your book proof-read before publishing is a disaster waiting to happen. One little typo that your copy-editor might have missed can instantly take your book from high-class to substandard. And trust me, no amount of tissues is going to be sufficient to mop up that ocean of tears. That said, once your manuscript has been thoroughly proof-read, you can breathe a sigh of relief and pop open the champagne.
With me as your editor, I will determine the level of editing required, haul out my gigantic fine-tooth comb, make the changes or adjustments your book requires and give it the sparkling polish it deserves.

For me to determine whether I can take on your book or not, I will ask that you either email me your complete manuscript, or the first three chapters and the final chapter. Editing a book is a time-consuming process, depending on the level of complexity of the subject matter, as well as the quality of the writing, and I cannot determine the type of edit your book requires without first seeing your manuscript. PLEASE (I ask with great big crocodile tears in my eyes) DO NOT SEND ME YOUR FIRST DRAFT. If your manuscript is little more than an initial word-vomit of unconsolidated thoughts and ideas, I will politely send it straight back to you. Rather spend some time refining your manuscript until you are confident that you are getting your message across in a clear and cohesive manner.

Once your edit is complete and your book has been proofread, I can guide you in terms of the next steps (i.e. getting your book published), especially if you are looking at independently publishing your book locally, internationally, or both.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • How long does is take to edit a book?
    Editing a book depends largely on the quality of the writing and the number of words you have written. A substantive can take up to four months to complete, whereas a copy-edit can take three to four weeks.
  • My manuscript is in a language other than English. Can you edit it?
    Unfortunately, I only edit manuscripts written in English (British/American).
  • I'm based in another country. Can you still help me?
    I generally don't need to meet my editing clients in a face-to-face environment, so, yes, I take on work no matter where you are in the world. I have edited books for clients in the United Kingdom, South Africa, the USA, Ireland, Australia, Rwanda, Zambia, and beyond. All I require is your manuscript in Microsoft Word, sent to me either by email or via a Dropbox link. If we find that we need a bit of face time, there is always Zoom.
  • Do you only edit non-fiction?
    My preference is working with non-fiction material, especially memoir, inspirational stories, and business books. I have, however, edited children's and adult fiction, and will do so if the work is of a sufficiently high quality.
  • Can you help me get my book published?
    If you are considering independently publishing your book, either as an e-book, a paperback, or both, I can work with you to get your book published on Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Tolino, OverDrive (and many more), and make your paperback available to bookshops worldwide through IngramSpark. I am highly experienced in metadata research and selection, as well as genre selection, which will help ensure that your book always comes up in people's online searches relevant to its genre.

    If you want to go the mainstream publishing route, have a look at the Getting Published section of my web site for general guidance.

Get in touch with me
My rates
RECENT PROJECTS
These are some of my favourite books that I had the pleasure to work on to date.
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You are Here: A Story of Presence, by Stefan Brozin
When Stefan was seven years old, his father died of a tumor. On the eve of his fiftieth birthday, Stefan's wife succumbed to a similar tumor. Motivated by these two losses at very different stages of his life, this book explores how Stefan learnt to deal with adversity, and how he and his family learnt to make choices that allowed them to live in joy and peace.
Stop Me if You Can: How the Capture of the Criminal Justice System in South Africa was Disrupted and Reversed, by Paul O'Sullivan
In 2021, I worked on this monster of an exposé with one of SA's top forensic investigators, Paul O'Sullivan. There were many times during the months I spent editing this book where I stopped in my tracks, sat back in my chair, and said, "WTF?". To say that Paul has dug up some serious dirt on South Africa's criminal justice system (and the media houses that have been under the sheets with those entrusted with protecting our society) is an understatement. It's a great read, but you'll need to buckle yourself in. Twice.
Crunch Time: CPA Firm Survival in a Predatory Environment, by Gary Sturisky
In the concrete jungle, there are seasons of rain and plenty, followed by seasons of drought and scarcity. Whether or not we survive depends on how prepared we are for these changes, and how willing we are to evolve in order to remain relevant. Leaders who ignore the shifting seasons will soon find themselves and their firms fading into obscurity. Whether we shy away from it or actively seek it out, change is never easy. In these rapidly changing times, surviving means stepping away from the herd and venturing out onto the road less traveled. It means sharpening your claws and taking a bird’s eye view of where your business is at, and learning and evolving during the times of plenty before the season of drought and hunger returns. This may mean taking down predators, it may mean diversifying or specializing, and it may even mean seeking out new hunting grounds. Whatever it is, the secret is never to lose hope. Join us on an African safari as Gary Sturisky, a world-renowned transformation consultant, takes you on a journey through the vast open plains of the Serengeti and down the narrow corridors of the concrete jungle to uncover practical tools to help your company evolve into the CPA firm of the future.
Inside the Belly of the Beast: The Real Bosasa Story, by Angelo Agrizzi
Longlisted for The Sunday Times/CNA Literary Awards 2021. In this astonishing corruption memoir, former Bosasa Chief Operating Officer and whistleblower, Angelo Agrizzi rips open a legacy of secrecy, exposing two decades of untold greed, politicking, corruption, racism, bribery and deep state capture. Inside the Belly of the Beast is a mind-blowing exploration of the fraudulent workings of a company, founded on deep deception, under the cult-like leadership of the Master himself, Gavin Watson. Having been intimately involved with Bosasa since its inception, having worked and travelled side-by-side with Watson, and having witnessed his unique style of bribery and corruption during this period – something that most certainly assisted in bringing South Africa to her knees during Zuma’s rule – Agrizzi is one of few people with a first-hand account of what really happened behind the closed doors of Bosasa. In January, 2019, Agrizzi made his first appearance to testify at the Zondo Commission. His ongoing testimony continues to be heard.
22 Lessons for Corona Time and After, by Trevor Waller
In 2018, Trevor Waller wrote a book called 'The Lessons', for his beloved niece who was leaving South Africa for Israel. It contained twenty-two 'lessons for life' - things Trevor had learned and taught her (and others), along the way, and that he wanted his niece to carry with her. When a twenty-one -day lockdown was announced in South Africa in response to COVID-19, Trevor realised that he had a lesson for each day (plus one extra). Trevor decided to post one of these lessons on Facebook for each of the twenty-one days, with a little Corona 'twist' added to the mix.
Views from the Southern Cross, by Bruce Finnemore
Views from the Southern Cross has probably been THE most emotionally powerful book I've ever worked on. Bruce Finnemore was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in 2018, and was unable to complete his life's work. I was contacted by his son, Grant, to take on the role of ghostwriter for this project, and I was honoured to have been selected. Bruce's book was published in December 2018. He passed away in March 2019, his dream to write a book fulfilled.
Impossible is Nothing, by Rowena Webb
Impossible is Nothing is a deeply moving book that I had the pleasure of ghostwriting for Rowena Webb. Forty-one at the time, Rowena is a double-amputee with no kidneys. These minor inconveniences in her life were not going to hold her back though. She has become a successful motivational speaker, and she is an accomplished businesswoman. Her sense of humour is hysterical, and she has no airs and graces. Probably the most conscious, vulnerable, real human that I have ever had the pleasure to work with, Rowena is, and will always be, a shining star in my life, and in every other life she touches.
Reflexology: Hot-Footing it to Health, by Christine Stormer-Fryer
Within every human being is a natural desire to be healthy and well—health being the foundation for an abundant life. With the human race becoming increasingly frenetic, keeping pace can be incredibly daunting, and personal wellbeing often ends up taking a back seat. There is no better time than now to use these accelerated energies to ‘Hot-foot it to Health’ with Reflexology, an ancient and highly effective form of natural healing. Using the feet— the physique’s unsung heroes—reflexology activates and mobilises the body’s innate healing abilities to hasten the healing process. In this insightful book, Christine Lynne Stormer-Fryer, a world-renowned authority on natural healing and health, reveals how feet highlight the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of being human, and suggests the best steps to regain and maintain optimum health using the neutral energies of reflexology.
Demystifying Trusts in South Africa, by Phia van der Spuy
If you knew you were going to die tonight, would your loved ones have enough money to cope financially until your estate is wound up? Do you know how much Capital Gains Tax and Estate Duty your estate would pay? Would there be enough cash or liquidity in your estate to pay the different costs that would arise? Many people believe that estate planning is having a will, but this is just one part of the plan. During our lifetimes, as individuals, entrepreneurs, property investors, business owners and wealth creators, we all face the risk of divorce, legal action, business failure, large tax liabilities, and claims by third parties. More than 90% of business owners close their doors within five to seven years of opening them. For those facing liquidation, up to 98% are stripped of all their personal assets resulting from sureties and guarantees they signed as business owners. They are left with nothing. The number one wealth preservation rule is asset protection. Most of the wealthy do not own a cent. They control their businesses, properties and other assets through trusts. A trust will help you to separate your assets from your property investment debt, your business interests and/or your other financial risks. If you own a business, sizeable investments and/or other assets, then you might want to pay attention. You cannot afford not to set up a trust. This book will take you through the process of setting up the right kind of trust within the correct structures so that you can protect your assets and take care of your family, during your lifetime and long after your death.
Along Came Tsakani, by Kagiso Modupe
Muzi is a dependable, helpful, hardworking, loving, and caring family man, devoted to his wife and daughter. And then Tsakani enters his life. She rocks his world with her charm, attentiveness and tenderness, something he realises he has been missing at home. When faced with temptation, this book reveals, in all of its candid detail, what it takes for a really good man to find himself on the other side of fidelity after six years of blissful marriage.
Untamed: Beyond Freedom, by Celine Uwineza
For ten-year-old Celine Uwineza, the 7th of April, 1994 was supposed to start out like any other day. By nightfall, the horrors of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda had begun, claiming the lives of her family and one million others who were brutally massacred to death. Celine miraculously survived. Severely traumatized, she spent months on end being shunted from one refugee camp to another, eventually being rescued and reunited with the surviving members of her family. Although the emotional and psychological scars of the brutality she witnessed and experienced tore her apart on the inside, Celine, with her untamed spirit, was determined to rise above her circumstances and use her God-given talents to help rebuild her country. Now a successful entrepreneur and advocate for human development, this deeply-personal and heart-wrenching book chronicles Celine’s journey of coming face-to-face with her traumatic past, healing from almost two decades of suppressed emotional and psychological wounds, to becoming the inspirational leader she is today.
The Perennial Truth, by Tjaart Kruger
When I began my spiritual journey twenty-six years ago, I was submerged in the river of life, unable to make sense of its ever-changing currents. I found myself reaching out in desperation, searching for some branch of wisdom to cling to. Wisdom from beyond my perceived reality that would enable me to see existence as it truly is. The Perennial Truth is that branch. Contained within this book is the unchanging truth I discovered on my journey. Just as it rescued me from the roiling waters, it will help you understand who you are and why you are here. It will give you tools to meet life’s currents head on, and rise above them. Amid the difficulty and complexity of everyday existence, The Perennial Truth provides context. Context gives rise to understanding. Understanding fosters acceptance. Acceptance leads to trust. And trust leads, ultimately, to the deep appreciation of reality as it is. I cannot show you the truth of the present moment, because a moment’s truth is ever-changing. But the Perennial Truth does not change. When you understand it, and begin to apply it to your life experiences, the truth of each moment will be revealed to you with great clarity and joy. In Part 1 of The Perennial Truth I describe the journey that led me to discover the spiritual truth of existence, which is beyond the seasonal truth of life. In Part 2 I share this unchanging truth with the reader, and in Part 3 I guide the reader towards the perennial experience and an understanding of immortal existence. The awakening of the soul.
Cryptomania, by Kobus Kleyn
To bite into the coin, or not to bite into the coin, that is the question. Much has been written about the Bitcoin phenomenon which has taken the world by storm, resulting in countless believers proclaiming overnight wealth and encouraging others to climb on the bandwagon. Is Bitcoin everything that it is made out to be, or is it simply another bubble waiting to burst, in the same way that the dot.com bubble did in the late 1990s, resulting in the uneducated and the uninformed losing their hard-earned money? Written from the perspective of a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional, Cryptomania will give both the optimist and the pessimist, the believer and the person sitting on the fence, a holistic view and an unbiased understanding of Bitcoin, the blockchain, and cryptocurrency in general, highlighting Bitcoin’s strengths and weaknesses through a comprehensive SWOT analysis. Topics covered include: •Digital currency versus fiat currency •Could Bitcoin replace paper money in the future? •Making sense of Bitcoin and altcoins •Understanding the blockchain, how it works, and its future potential •Understanding Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) •How Bitcoin mining works •Cryptocurrency and cybercrime •Predicting the future value of Bitcoin •Understanding government regulations and taxation around cryptocurrency •Guidance for advisors working in the financial services industry This book will provide you with the knowledge you need to take an objective view of both sides of the coin.
Career Success with SharePoint and Office 365: A Complete Guide to Changing Your Boring Career into Something Amazing, by Veronique Palmer
How is your job treating you? Are you bored? Do you dread Sunday nights, knowing that tomorrow is work? Do you sit in traffic in the morning on the verge of tears from work-related stress? Are you exhausted from being expected to work over weekends without any acknowledgement or appreciation in return? Are you tired of doing the same thing year after year, with no opportunity for promotion? Are you tired of watching con-artists bullshit their way through their corporate jobs, doing nothing and getting awaywith it, while you are snowed under with work? Do you have a tyrant of a boss who makes your life a living hell? Are you constantly threatened with corporate"restructuring"--something that we all know ends in retrenchment? Have you resigned yourself to the fact that "this is just the way it is"? But it not. You do not have to accept that status quo. You can get out, you canchange careers, and you can reinvent yourself. Veronique knows this because she did it. This book outlines the tools she used to change her career by simply falling in love with SharePoint and learning how it worked. If you're currently in an administrative role of some kind, this book will provide you with all the advice you'll need to reinvent yourself as a SharePoint or Office 365 specialist and thrive in a technology career. It is 100% non-technical, so give it a shot.
Misconceptions of Healing, Blessings and Miracles in the Church, by Tiza Nyirenda
There is a need for the modern day practices and teachings on healing, blessings, and miracles to conform to the written word of God. The purpose of this book is to equip believers with the necessary tools, knowledge, and spiritual insights to increase their understanding in these areas so that false doctrines are no longer perpetuated within the Church. Between these pages, you will discover: • That God still heals people miraculously, and there is no conflict between divine healing and medical healing. • That seeking medical intervention does not demonstrate a lack of faith in God. • That God has power through, despite, or because of medicines. God may choose medicines as an agent for healing without the need for additional divine intervention. This is because He designed our bodies to respond in tangible ways to physical stimuli. This was all orchestrated by Him and for Him. • That prayer does not work like a magic spell. • That working is God’s plan for believers. The scriptures say that God will bless the work of our hands. Believers should, therefore, learn to work with their hands in order to realize the blessings of God. Seeking to achieve something while doing nothing is vanity. Believers should not simply pray; they must work and pray!
Laura's Voice: Whispers From an Angel, by Laura Nunes
The tortured mind of a gentle soul that was never meant for the cruelty of this world, Laura’s obsessive, unrequited love for her beloved Mubarak sent her on a downward spiral that culminated in her jumping to her death from the 148th floor of the Burj Khalifa, Dubai, the tallest building in the world, on the 16th of November 2014. She was 38 years old. Her death was covered up by the government of Dubai. This book is a collection of Laura's thoughts, notes, emails, and messages that she left behind on her iPhone, her Acer tablet, her computer, and in her paperwork and documents, in the months and years leading up to her tragic suicide.