Free editing
Not interested in the details? Feel free to skip to the free offer at the end of this page!

When to consider editing assistance:
  • you are experiencing staff shortages and deadlines for documents are not being met
  • members of your management team are having to spend too much time on editing
  • someone has been working on a large document for a long time and it’s likely they are too close to the content to be able to edit or proofread it
  • staff skills are better utilised in other ways
  • a document has been developed by multiple contributors, and there is a need for a consistent style.

What editing  involves
Every document is different, but generally my process consists of the following steps.
  1. Pick up errors in grammar, spelling and punctuation (here's my proofreading checklist for local government)
  2. Make any substantive changes such as shifting or cutting sections, check legislation references, add in any new information, and query any other matters. (The number of reviews at this stage depends on the complexity of the document, and its level of completion at the start of the editing process.)
  3. Fix formatting and refine the language on a sentence by sentence basis.
  4. Check and double check. (My mantra is always to do one more read through than I think I need.)

What proofreading involves

This is a good option when a document is close to completion. The process is more streamlined than substantive editing.
  1. Pick up errors in grammar, spelling and punctuation (see proofreading checklist) and note any queries about the content.
  2. Do the same again, and pick up any consistency issues.
  3. Checking and double check.

Commissioning editing services

Providing a good steer to your editor on the level of service you require will ensure you are happy with the outcome, both in terms of the cost for the work and the changes made to the document. Here are some different options to consider:
  • heavy duty review of the structure and content, checking of legislative references, and expecting the editor to use their initiative to add in potential content from other information sources and national guidance
  • general edit, only working with what’s on the page and making improvements to style and structure
  • proofread only.

Free trial

If you would like to see the difference editing can make to your documents please feel welcome to send me a document for editing (10 pages maximum).

This free trial is available for anyone working in the local government sector who works for a council, consultancy or public sector agency.

Simply email the document to debra.bradley@writingforcouncils.co.nz and tell me the type of editing you require (heavy duty, general edit or proofreading only). I will return an edited version of your document within a week (with changes shown in revision marking). I will also tell you how much time it took to complete the work.
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More information about my editing experience is available here. 

Here's a proofreading checklist if you prefer to do your own editing.