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