What I offer

Every project is different, and I'll work with you to find the right level of support. Not sure where to start? Feel free to contact me with your questions or send me a sample and a short description of your goals, and I'll recommend the best service.

Services

If you're unsure which service best suits your needs, feel free to contact me via email with a short sample of your work (roughly between 500–1,000 words). I'll assess the writing and recommend the level of editing that will best support your goals.

Send a sample

Academic copy-editing

I work with postgraduates and researchers to refine complex ideas and improve the quality of academic writing.

Academic copy-editing is best suited for text that needs polishing at the sentence level. I focus on grammar, punctuation, word choice, clarity and tone all while preserving your voice. I also offer formatting and reference editing to align with your department's/target journal's style guide.

Best for: journal articles, dissertations, research proposals, reports and presentations.

Fiction and non-fiction editing

I offer collaborative editing for authors of memoir, fiction, and non-fiction. My goal is to help you sharpen your prose, strengthen structure and stay true to your voice.

Fiction/non-fiction copy-editing is about strengthening language and style elements on the sentence and paragraph level. Aside from a general language edit, I focus on word choice, flow and rhythm, narrative continuity and story development. I also offer some big-picture feedback and support on how your writing is structured and communicated to polish your work for publication.

Best for: manuscripts, long-form content, creative writing, or content in early stages.

Proofreading

Proofreading is the final, surface-level check in which I can "cross the Ts and dot the Is" before your work is published or submitted. I'll catch typos, formatting issues and small inconsistencies that may have slipped through earlier rounds of editing.

Best for: reference lists and polished documents ready for submission, print or self-publication.

Rates and pricing

I charge on a per-word basis so that pricing and time frames can be agreed upon before editing commences. My rates are in US dollars (although discounted rates are availables for South African clients).

Rates depend on the clarity and complexity of the writing. After reviewing your document, I'll confirm the exact per-word rate and total cost before we begin. I will send you a project quote outlining all the necessary elements of our working agreement so that you are fully informed upfront about the process.

A 30% deposit is required before work commences (for projects larger than 3,000 words), and the balance is due upon completion of the agreed upon work.

I accept payment via EFT to a South African bank account, as well as PayPal and Wise for international clients.

Service Per-word rate (USD)
Academic copy-editing $0,03–$0,04 per word (depending on language quality and formatting/referencing needs)
Fiction and non-fiction editing $0,04–$0,05 per word (depending on writing quality)
Proofreading $0,02 per word (standard)
Other Custom pricing available ($30 per hour)

The editing process

1

You contact me with a brief description of your project, word count, style preferences and any deadlines, as well as your document or a sample (via email or WeTransfer).

2

I review the document to understand your writing and determine the level of editing needed, and then send you a clear quote and timeline based on your needs. (A get-to-know-you call may be arranged for bigger projects so we can discuss everything in more detail.)

3

Once you're happy to proceed and the deposit is settled, the editing process begins! I edit your document in MS Word using "Track Changes" (unless otherwise arranged) and leave comments where helpful.

4

I return the edited version of your work. You will receive two files: one with tracked changes and one clean version (if working with a Word document). Upon completion of the work, the remainder of the project fee is paid. You're welcome to ask questions or request clarification after reviewing the edits.

Good to know

Turnaround times

Timelines vary depending on word count and editing depth. Once I've reviewed your document, I'll provide a clear timeframe in the project quote. If you have a deadline, please let me know and I'll do my best to accommodate it.

Format and style

In terms of file formats, I primarily work in Microsoft Word (.docx) using "Track Changes", but I also accept PDFs for proofreading.

For academic editing, I can edit your document according to your required style guide (APA, Chicago, Harvard or journal-specific guidelines). Please share your department or journal requirements when submitting your project.

Sample edits

For longer manuscripts or academic projects, I can provide a free short sample edit (~500 words) so you can get a feel for my editing style before committing to a full project.

Ongoing editing support

I offer flexible retainer options for clients who need consistent support, whether monthly or around peak deadlines. This service is aimed at researchers, business professionals or teams with high editing needs throughout the year.

Confidentiality

Your work is treated with complete privacy and professionalism and will not be shared with any third party without your consent. I'm happy to sign an NDA upon request.

What I don't offer

I do not provide ghostwriting, extensive fact-checking, publishing guidance, heavy developmental editing or rewriting entire sections of text.

Every project is different.

Not sure where to start? Feel free to contact me with your questions or send me a sample and a short description of your goals, and I'll recommend the best service.

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