Frequently asked questions

Copy-editing focuses on clarity, flow, grammar, tone and consistency at the sentence and paragraph level. It improves how your writing communicates your ideas to readers. Proofreading is the final polish. It catches typos, formatting issues and small errors after the text has already been edited.

I work with a wide range of written materials, including academic writing (journal articles, dissertations, research proposals), fiction and non-fiction manuscripts, creative work, professional documents, reports and business communications. If your project doesn't fit neatly into a category, feel free to reach out as I'm always happy to discuss your needs.

If your writing needs clarity, refinement or stylistic improvement, copy-editing is usually the best fit. If your document is already polished and you only need a final check before submission or publication, proofreading is ideal.

Absolutely. I have extensive experience supporting ESL writers and can help ensure your ideas are communicated clearly and professionally.

While my primary service is copy-editing, I also offer light structural guidance for fiction, memoir and non-fiction projects. However, please note that I do not offer developmental editing services at this time.

That's what I am here for! If you've completed the first draft of your work, I applaud you for getting through the toughest stage of the writing journey. Your draft doesn't need to be perfect. My only request is that you have left everything on the page so that you feel open to feedback. Editing is a collaborative process, and I'm here to meet you where you are.

No. I edit with respect for your unique style and intentions. My goal is to enhance your writing, not to overwrite it. I'll revise the document to correct technical/language elements and make suggestions that strengthen clarity, flow and impact, but at the heart of each edit is amplifying your authentic voice as a writer.

I do not run plagiarism scans as part of my editing service, but I can flag passages that may need clearer citation. If you require a formal plagiarism report, I recommend using your institution's approved software or a reputable plagiarism-checking tool before submitting your work.

I can edit text produced by AI tools, provided you are transparent about its use and the content is your own to submit. My role is to help refine clarity, coherence and readability, not to disguise AI-generated work as original writing. For academic clients, it's your responsibility to ensure that using AI tools complies with your institution's policies.

I charge per word so that pricing is transparent from the start. Once I've reviewed your sample, I'll confirm the rate, total cost and timeline before any work begins. Rates are listed in US dollars, but I work with international clients.

Yes. For larger projects such as manuscripts or dissertations, I can provide a free short sample edit (usually around 500 words) so you can see my editing style and ensure we're a good fit before committing to a full project.

Turnaround times depend on the length of your document, the level of editing required and my current schedule. Once I've seen your sample and word count, I'll provide a clear timeline. As a rough estimate: 500 words per hour for fiction/non-fiction editing, 1,000 words per hour for academic copy-editing, 2,000 words per hour for proofreading. If you have a deadline, please let me know and I'll do my best to accommodate it.

For projects over 3,000 words, I request a 30% deposit before work begins. Smaller projects are typically invoiced upon completion.

Invoices are issued electronically and can be paid via EFT (South African bank account), Wise or PayPal.

Yes. The beauty of remote work is that I can support writers from around the world. I also have experience working with non-native English speakers from various countries.

My schedule fills up quickly, especially for long-form projects. Booking 1–3 weeks in advance is recommended, though I'll always try to accommodate urgent requests where possible.

After your document has been returned to you, I'm happy to clarify my edits, discuss some of my feedback and answer reasonable follow-up questions. If you'd like me to review a revised version of your document or complete another editing pass, this will be billed as a new round of editing.

Yes. I offer flexible retainer options for clients who need regular editing, ideal for professionals and teams with recurring deadlines or high-volume writing.

Confidentiality is a core part of my practice. I'm happy to sign an NDA, and I treat all client work with complete privacy and confidentiality.

Your documents are stored securely and deleted after a set period unless you request otherwise. I never share client work with third parties.

If required by your institution or journal, I can provide a brief statement confirming that your document has been professionally edited.

You can contact me through the form on my website or email me directly. Share your word count, a brief description of your project and (if possible) a short sample. I'll review everything and get back to you within 1–2 business days with next steps.

I primarily work in Microsoft Word using "Track Changes", but I also accept PDFs for proofreading only.

You're welcome to send your work directly via email as a Word document or PDF. If your file is large (for example, a full manuscript), you can also use WeTransfer and share the download link with me. Once I receive your document, I'll confirm that everything has come through clearly.

Yes. For academic work, my expertise lies in APA, Harvard and Chicago style, but I can edit according to your specific department or journal's required style guide if you provide me with the necessary details. For fiction and non-fiction, I follow industry-standard conventions unless you have specific preferences.

I can ensure your citations and reference list follow the correct style guide (APA, Harvard, Chicago), provided you supply all necessary source details. I do not source missing references on your behalf.

All edits are made using Microsoft Word's "Track Changes" feature. You'll receive both a marked-up version and a clean version of the revised document.