EDITING

Even if your day-job is as an English teacher, you WILL make mistakes in spelling, punctuation, and assembly of the document in the course of writing a book. Really. If John Updike, Stephen King, J.K. Rowling and Amy Tan have line/mechanical editors, so should you. A poorly edited book is one of the single biggest faults cited when booksellers say they won't take self-published books. Why not prove them wrong?

There are two kinds of editing and then there’s proofreading.

Developmental — sometimes called Content or Substantive. Editing takes place after the writer has done their early revisions but needs help in shaping the book in its final form. Most books require some help in this direction. Developmental editing is essential, especially for new writers.
Line — also called Mechanical or Copy. Editing prepares the manuscript for the typesetter. Typesetting (see explanation) requires errata-free text. This is your last chance to remove spelling errors, omissions, incorrect facts and logic flaws.
Proofreading is an examination of a printer’s proof, looking for any errata that might have crept in during typesetting.

Why should I hire an editor? Do I need one?
What do editors do?
How do I choose an editor?
Where can I find an editor?

If you are looking for an editor to help you with a project, you can browse through our list of members and contact individual PEAVI members directly. Each PEAVI member has provided their contact information and many members have included a listing of their skills, subject areas, and a short personal biography.

WEST COAST EDITORIAL ASSOCIATES LLP is a group of eight experienced editors based in British Columbia, Canada. We offer editing, writing, and training services.

We can help you manage the words in your life by looking after your entire project or by handling a single aspect of it. Our expertise and attention to detail will ensure that your words are arranged and presented in the most effective way possible.

The Editors' Association of Canada/Association canadienne des réviseurs (EAC) promotes professional editing as key in producing effective communication. Our 1,600 members, both salaried and freelance, work with individuals in the corporate, technical, government, not-for-profit and publishing sectors.

EAC sponsors professional development seminars, promotes and maintains high standards of editing and publishing in Canada, establishes guidelines to help editors secure fair pay and good working conditions, helps both in-house and freelance editors to network, and cooperates with other publishing associations in areas of common concern.