EDITING FAQs: Main Page

What should I know about editing?

People who are unfamiliar with the editing process often ask me questions, and they're usually the same ones. So I've gathered all the standard answers together in this section, for your convenience.

If you don’t see your own burning query here, feel free to e-mail me and ask.

For instance, here’s something that new clients often want to know:

Why does editing matter?

It matters because good, clean copy plainly shows respect for your reader. Whether you’re a business soliciting customers, a journalist preparing a magazine article, a government department giving information to citizens, or an author writing for fans – respecting the intelligence of your audience is never a misplaced courtesy.

Reader-friendly material also suggests an alert mind, a perfectionist nature, and a commitment to doing even the little things right. Isn't that the image that you (or your company, organization or department) want to project?

That ideal isn’t always easy to achieve, though – and that’s why many writers hire my professional services.

Here’s the thing: smart people can often be so enthusiastic about the content of their message that they don’t notice the minor flaws in its presentation. That’s where your editor has your back.