Promoting & supporting new and aspiring authors
ACP Editing services - why you need us.
Authors are very good at reading what they think they have written rather than what is actually down on the page, and are usually too close to their work to be an objective judge. This is why editing by an experienced editor can make the difference between a book that reads well – and hopefully sells well – and one that doesn’t.
We offer a full editing service to the highest standard.
During the editing process, your manuscript could go through a series of stages:
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Copy-editing focuses on grammar, punctuation, spelling, and formatting.
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Line editing focuses on style, sentence structure, meaning and flow.
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Developmental editing focuses on the big picture: story, character, scene, pace and coherence.
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Proofreading catches any remaining errors and formatting issues
If you haven't already done so, you'll need to edit your manuscript as much as you can yourself - to within an inch of its life!*
(My books shown below give some useful tips on how to do this)
Editing is time consuming and - by its very nature - repetitious. But it's vitally important if you want your work to look good. There are a range of services we offer.
What some authors have said ...
Chris Smith
I would like to express my utmost thanks to Alana. My first faltering footsteps into authorship turned to disaster but Alana’s dedication and hard work has restored my faith in the publishing industry. How she has worked so diligently and accurately upon a subject matter in which she has had previously little knowledge or interest I do not know. But what I do know is that any success that this publication achieves will be as a result of her dedication.
TG Hyde
I have been fortunate enough to have worked with Alana over the past couple of years. She helped to compile and arrange my first collection of short stories, which had been lying dormant for a while on my memory stick . . .
Mike Everley
Alana did a wonderful job of proofreading and editing my book..She was extremely diligent and missed nothing . . . I would highly recommend Alana to anyone wishing to have their work edited as they provide a highly professional service. . . .
SEE MORE at :
Editing Options
A. Proof-reading for short manuscripts
This option deals mainly with grammar, punctuation, spellings and typo errors. It is most useful for short stories (eg for competition entries), reports or articles. We will highlight and correct your manuscript and send you a digital copy of the amendments, and you can decide whether you wish to accept them.
B. Copy Editing
We will go through your manuscript, line by line, to identify and correct errors, such as spelling mistakes, punctuation errors and typos. We will pick up on missed commas, unwanted hyphens, needless repetitions, and clumsy phrasings.
We will ensure consistency throughout your manuscript, check your facts, and look for clarity of your sentences. We will make sure that your manuscript is properly formatted and presented. This service is suitable for self-publishers, or writers wanting to improve their manuscript before submitting to an agent or publisher.
What we will NOT do is to challenge or amend your plot, your pacing or characterisation. Your story will remain your story!
We will amend and replace mis-spellings and incorrect punctuation marks, and re-format the work to a publishing standard. We may suggest alternative words and phrases, all the while taking into account your own distinctive writing ‘voice’.
But our preferences may not be yours, so our suggestions and comments are given purely in an advisory capacity. We will send you a suggested amended version for your approval which you may, or may not, choose to accept. You will need to check the amended version carefully, as some of your writing, especially dialogue, may be colloquial, idiomatic, slang etc that we may not be aware of, and we will rely on you to tell us this. You may not wish to accept the amended version, and that is entirely your choice.
All of our suggestions are made in order for your book to be as successful as possible.
Finally we will check your book's formatting and fix any layout issues ready for printing.
C. Line Editing
Line editing is about refining your prose so that every sentence resonates with clarity, precision, and impact. As line editors, we will approach your manuscript with the sensitivity of a close reader and the skill of a stylist, always being true to your unique voice.
We work meticulously, sentence by sentence, to enhance structure, sharpen language, and ensure your writing flows smoothly. We pay close attention to word choice, rhythm, and syntax, evaluating how each contributes to the tone, mood, and emotional resonance of your work. Beyond the sentence level, we also consider pacing and logical progression, helping your ideas unfold naturally and compellingly.
You will notice that there are elements of Line Editing in both Copy Editing and Developmental Editing. Don't be alarmed by this! We include most of the elements of Line Editing in our Copy Editing package.
D. Developmental Editing
We provide thoughtful, in-depth feedback on your manuscript, focusing on how to strengthen its content and ensure it resonates with your intended audience. Our suggestions may include improvements to language, structure, and overall clarity—but rest assured, we won’t rewrite your manuscript. You remain the creative force behind your work.
A full developmental edit addresses the big-picture elements of your manuscript—its organization, structure, and narrative flow. This may include recommending content be moved between chapters, identifying gaps that need additional material, and offering guidance on how to enhance coherence and impact. Developmental editing is typically recommended when an initial review reveals that your draft requires significant revision.
You as the author will retain full creative control. Our role is to guide, not to take over. While we may offer illustrative edits to demonstrate key writing techniques, the responsibility for implementing changes and providing new content remains with you.
Key Areas of Focus in a Developmental Edit
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·Narrative Structure: Does your story have a clear beginning, middle, and end? Are the essential storytelling elements—such as inciting incident, climax, and resolution—present and well-developed? For nonfiction, is your argument clearly communicated and logically organized?
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·Character Development: Are your characters well-defined and purposeful? Do their choices drive the plot and reflect meaningful growth?
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·Theme Exploration: What is your book truly about? What message or emotional core do you want readers to take away? How can that theme be more powerfully woven throughout the narrative?
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·Point of View: Is your chosen perspective effective and consistent? Does it serve the story well?
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·Reader Engagement: Will your book captivate its audience? Does it offer something distinctive and memorable within its genre?
Final Proof Read
This is a last chance to catch any remaining errors in your manuscript. It isn't a substitute for the in-depth edits above.
'Blurb' writing
Authors are often too close to their writing to create concise, enticing and exciting cover ‘blurb’. (back-cover text). We can create great book cover blurb that will appeal to readers and help sell your book.
What's next?
Publishing options
Once you have agreed the final version of your work, we can format it to an appropriate layout for printing. You may wish us to publish it as an independent publisher, or you may wish to self-publish it yourself. Alternatively you may wish to submit it to an agent or traditional publisher, and we can format it to an appropriate layout for that purpose too. See our Publishing page.
For an indication of Editing & Publishing Fees & Charges,
* You may find my books
'Creative Writing -an Illustrated Guide and Workbook'
(in full colour or B&W, and as a Kindle version)
and
'What do I know ... about writing?'
useful in self-editing your manuscript before submitting it.
Available from the Shop page above, and from Amazon.co.uk
