How do you know if your words are consistent, precise, and engage the reader?
If you’ve been working on your words for some time, you may be too close to tell.
In my contract, I always include: “the manuscript must be copyedited before it is handed over to me.” I also suggest clients ask explicit questions about whether they need help with this.
What happens when you get too close to the words?
Here’s an example of how not having an editor can lead to scope creep. It’s from a project I worked on a few years ago, and a great example of when an honest appraisal can be useful and why working with an experienced designer is a benefit.
The design visuals were coming together beautifully. My clients were delighted with the clean layout, bold colours, and strong hierarchy. Once the sample piece had been created, I was ready to design the entire project.
When the first proof corrections came back with over 400 text corrections, I could tell there were deeper issues. Authors were tied in knots over commas, capitalisation, and terminology; the style was inconsistent. The design was at risk of quality control issues because the grammatical style hadn’t been agreed upon by the client first. I could see that I’d be creating an editorial style sheet instead of paying attention to the design.
Here are the times when I may recommend that a client brings in an editor:
When the copy is too dense to sit comfortably in the design.
When proof corrections are piling up and the quality of the copy is being undermined by inconsistency.
When the tone feels off-brand or shifts across sections.
When errors (grammar, punctuation, style) distract from the message.
When content must adapt for multiple formats (print, web, social), each of which has different constraints.
What are the implications of employing an editor later in the project?
If it is not part of the schedule, it puts the project at risk of delay.
Significant changes to the text during production can alter the agreed design, including header structures and page order.
A designer and editor can work together after the pages are designed using InCopy (which integrates into InDesign), there’s larger pool of editors to choose from when the document is still in Word, Pages or Google Docs and this may not be clear to authors.
The manuscript editing can be more conversational between authors and editors, via track changes and comments, which is quicker and often more accurate than marking-up a PDF for a designer to interpret and action.
Solving the problem
The client realised that they had overlooked the detail about supplying copyeditor text in the contract in their enthusiasm to get going, despite signing it. They had some experience of writing individually, but not as a team and were struggling to agree on the fundamentals.
I had an honest chat about my concerns and the implications of the scope creep. It doesn’t need to be confrontational, and I like to show up with solutions, and these were:
A shortlist of editors who were free to work with them.
Words to help write a brief.
A revised set of dates and costs provided full transparency, enabling them to make an informed decision.
Happily, they were able to find an editor from my shortlist who clarified the tone, created a style sheet, and made grammar and usage consistent. The result? The design could shine, the message was clear, and the team were happier.
Where do you find an editor?
CIEP Directory of Editorial Services (UK) – search for editors or proofreaders who meet professional criteria. ciep.uk
Reedsy – thousands of professionals, ability to browse profiles by genre & service, request sample edits or quotes. Reedsy+1
Professional Book Editors Association (PBEA) – for book manuscripts if self-publishing or preparing for publication.
