Editorial Services

I am an Intermediate Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), formerly the Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP). This is a non-profit body promoting excellence in English language editing and is recognised by the publishing industry as a leader in its field. I also have an MA in English Literature (Glasgow University) and a Distinction in Creative Writing (Open University single module).

I have a thorough training in proofreading, copy editing and editing fiction from the CIEP. Previous clients have praised my meticulous attention to detail when checking for errors in consistency, spelling, syntax, punctuation and grammar. As a professional storyteller who has extensive writing experience, I also offer copy editing, developmental editing and manuscript critiques.

When copy editing I  check for over-used words and phrases, redundant words and repetition. I  also suggest ways to improve the flow and clarity of any clumsily constructed sentences. I am happy to work on stories and novels, helping you to produce a polished piece of work fit for publication, while maintaining your own unique voice. 

When providing a developmental edit, I look at the big picture: plot, pace, setting, POV, scene structure, characterisation, dialogue, consistency, style and theme. I highlight areas within the manuscript which require attention as well as providing a detailed report on what is working and what could be improved upon, with suggestions on how to do this.

A manuscript critique is a more budget-friendly way of receiving an overall report on your work, which offers a more general guidance on the areas mentioned above.

Please note, I do not work with AI-generated material!

For a free quote, you can use the contact form on this site, or if you would prefer to email, please send  the following information to fiona@fionaherbert.co.uk 

Your word count

Your deadline

A sample of your work (max 5000 words, from the middle of your document). This will determine the amount of intervention you need, which will decide the fee.

Prices given are per 2000 words. I charge from £28 to £32 for proofreading; £32 to £35 for copy editing,  £40 for developmental editing and £25 for a manuscript critique. A combination of these services can be offered according to the needs of the client.

 TESTIMONIALS:

‘Fiona provided an excellent copy editing service. As a novice writer, this was my first experience of using an editor.I found Fiona supportive, helpful, understanding, honest, and efficient. I would certainly recommend her to anyone who is just starting their journey to becoming an established author.’ – Richard Giles, Historical Fiction writer

‘Fiona has worked in a thoroughly professional manner on my manuscript. I am very pleased with her work and would highly recommend her services.’ – Sheena Cundy,  Self Help author

‘Fiona is an excellent editor! She handled the editing and proofreading of my children’s book with remarkable attention to detail. She worked efficiently, met every deadline, and maintained a high standard throughout the process. I highly recommend Fiona’s services to anyone looking for a skilled, reliable and supportive professional.’ – Andrea Dias, Children’s writer

 ‘I found it was quite a struggle to find a decent proofreader. As a novelist, and a character writer, I have some very exacting requirements. Having been a writer now for over twenty years, I knew exactly what I required from a proofreader. Every proofreader I contacted before Fiona tried to sell me services I did not require. Fiona however is not only one of the nicest people I contacted, but she was also the most honest. She knew exactly what it was I required and only offered those services that mirrored exactly my own requirements. So I took a chance on her and was not only surprised by her accuracy but also by the speed she was able to turn around three of my novels. Not only am I delighted by the quality of her work, but so are my readers, and that speaks volumes to me. Thank you Fiona. I hope this relationship lasts for a long time.’-J W Murison, Author, Science Fiction and Dystopia

‘Your attention to detail is remarkable. I’m blown away by it…and all the changes you’ve made definitely help with the flow’ –Martin Sorowka, researcher, University of Seville

‘I am delighted to have Fiona’s expert help in proofreading our magazine [The Geographer]. She does a wonderful job with each edition, reading the many articles quickly and carefully, and marking up edits and suggestions clearly.’ –Susan Watt, Development Manager, the Royal Scottish Geographical Society

‘I engaged Fiona Herbert to edit my novel ‘The Orkney Cycle: The Shattering Sea’. I am absolutely delighted with her work. She completed the project very speedily and included, along with the text, instructions on how best to work through it. What really impressed me  was how Fiona struck a balance between giving instruction where it was needed and giving guidance and suggestions elsewhere. It was clear to me that she had a clear picture of my voice and style and didn’t wish to interfere with them. Yet she picked up many, many grammatical errors, as well as typos that I thought couldn’t possibly exist after I had read through the text myself so many times. She also picked up some errors in the logistics of scenes that I never would have spotted. As well as commenting on the text, she picked up errors in my map and illustrations. I couldn’t be happier with Fiona’s work and will be recommending her to my colleagues and students.’ –Daniel Allison, USA Today bestselling author,  Myth, Fantasy and Folklore

‘I have found Fiona to be professional, always on time with deadlines, clear, and easy to work with. I recommend her and hope to work with her again.’- Clive Sheehan, short story writer

‘Fiona carried out a developmental edit of my upper MG/lower YA crossover novel. Not having engaged an editor before, Fiona made me realise how useful it is for a fresh pair of eyes to read and dissect a book. She saw so many ways the story could be improved. Although it was hard for me to cut characters and sections, I knew it was difficult for me to be objective and needed guidance. In her developmental report, she crystallised the main characters and subplots, highlighting distractions from the main plot. She also praised my writing in equal measure, boosting my morale.’ – Adrian Keefe, MG/YA writer