Services

Areas of expertise
Academic editing

Academic editing is a specialised area of editing that requires knowledge of the major conventions governing research, including research design and methodologies (such as qual or quantitative methods, or case study research). It also requires understanding of the various types of academic writing (such as critical or descriptive) and the norms and expectations governing such writing and the presentation of research findings. With over 20 years’ experience as a freelance academic editor and proofreader, I bring an extensive body of knowledge and hands-on experience in crafting and editing academic writing. I have a strong understanding of many of the major currents of thought, developments and debates within the social and political sciences, law and business, among other disciplines. I also have significant experience in preparing manuscripts for publication and liaising with publishers on behalf of my clients. I can help you to revise and convert your thesis into a manuscript that is suitable for delivery to a publisher and engaging to your target audience.

Academic editing applies to a wide range of documents, including:

    • theses (see thesis editing section)
    • academic monographs
    • edited collections
    • book chapters
    • journal articles
    • research reports
    • conference papers
    • grant applications.
Thesis editing

I have extensive experience editing PhD theses across a range of disciplines, in particular criminology, law and the social sciences, as well as the humanities and political sciences. I will help you to structure and format your thesis according to the requirements of your institution and department. I have in-depth knowledge of and experience in applying the major style guides and associated referencing styles, including the Chicago Manual of Style, Australian Government style (Style Manual), the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Harvard style (or the author-date system), the Bluebook, the MLA Handbook, the Australian Guide to Legal Citation and the AMA Manual of Style (Vancouver style).

Guidelines for editing theses
IPEd has developed the Guidelines for editing research theses, which set out the scope of services that professional editors can provide when editing theses and the responsibilities of editors, students and supervisors. The revised Guidelines have been approved by the IPEd Board and endorsed by the Australian Council of Graduate Research. In essence, an editor may only provide copyediting and proofreading services when working on a thesis, while advice and assistance on content, substance and structure must be sought elsewhere (generally from one’s supervisor/s). For more information, refer to the Guidelines.

Government & NGO editing

I have extensive experience editing and proofreading for government agencies, NGOs or non-profit organisations and business, both as a freelancer and in house. I have worked on a wide range of documents and publications, including:

  • project management documentation
  • executive and ministerial correspondence
  • grant or tender applications and proposals
  • program evaluation reports
  • research reports
  • business case documentation
  • ministerial briefs
  • ministerial orders
  • policy papers
  • red and blue books
  • submissions
  • annual reports
  • legislation
  • conference presentations
  • promotional material
  • minutes and papers of meetings and AGMs
  • serial publications such as journals and magazines
  • website content
Indexing

I have 10 years’ experience as a back-of-book indexer, specialising in academic texts from a range of disciplines, particularly the social sciences, criminology and law. Drawing on my knowledge of the rules, principles and conventions governing indexing, I compile accurate and well-structured indexes that reflect both the breadth and essence of a book’s content, capturing the major concepts and terms and reflecting the interrelationships between them. 

About indexing
Indexing requires specialised technical knowledge and skill; but it is also a craft. A good index is accessible and well-balanced, enabling the reader to find information quickly and easily. A good indexer can analyse and synthesise a book’s contents to create a systematically ordered index, while also understanding what the target reader will look for and how they will expect to find it in any given document.

Agreement & rates

Once you’ve contacted me, we can discuss the requirements of the job and then reach an agreement on the scope of the work (including the type of editing and the number of passes), the cost and the timeline. I normally request a draft or representative sample of writing to assess what is required and provide you with a quote. Our agreement/contract can take the form of emails but we can also use an agreement template, such as IPEd’s Agreement for thesis editing template or Agreement template for editors and authors. For more advice on engaging a freelance editor, see IPEd’s Working with self-employed editors: A guide for clients and guidance on how to brief an editor.

Editing methods:
I generally edit in MS Word using the Track Changes function. I can also edit PDFs in Adobe Acrobat and in Google Docs, and hard copy if needed.

Ethics:
As a Professional Member of IPEd, I abide by IPEd’s Code of Ethics, Standards for Editing Practice and Guidelines for Editing Research Theses. Ensuring that I conduct myself in a professional and ethical manner, and with honesty and integrity, is of great importance to me. Throughout my professional life, I have worked with clients from diverse backgrounds, settings and workplaces. In my communications and dealings with clients, I always endeavour to be sensitive and respectful of difference and I am always seeking to learn and expand my awareness of cultural difference. I respect and maintain the confidentiality of my clients and their work, and I have systems in place to ensure client confidentiality and secure document storage and disposal.

I quote on a case-by-case basis. There are many factors to consider when assessing the requirements of a job. Some documents may need a substantive edit and later a proofread, while others may only need a light copyedit. We can discuss your needs and tweak the tasks I undertake accordingly, although I will always make sure the essentials are covered.

For information on rates of pay for freelance editors, see IPEd’s recommendations.

Payment:
I will send you an invoice once the job has been completed. Payment is usually made by direct deposit, although we can discuss other options.

Request a quote:
Please email or call me on 0400 142 256 to discuss your job.