Editing services
Writing can be a tough job – whether you're crafting a high-profile report that will face public scrutiny or a short but sensitive letter to a tricky customer. You need your content to be just right. But will it be readable too?
That's where Goldfinch comes in. We will transform and then polish your content until it shines. It's like editing alchemy.
We offer full plain English editing, copyediting and proofreading.
Underpinning our editing services are the principles of plain language from ISO 24495-1:2023 and, closer to home, the latest in Australian writing practice.
Contact us today to discuss your text and see how plain English editing can help you.
What we do
Editing has several layers, which vary in complexity and relate to different stages in the development or publishing process.
Our speciality is plain English editing. If you're looking for a transformation, this is the service for you. And the result may just knock your readers' socks off. You can learn more about plain English and see some samples here.
But if your text is further down the road and you don't have time for substantive reworking, you might need our copyediting or proofreading services.
We've described each service below, but if you're unsure, please contact us. We offer a free 15-minute phone consultation and we'd be happy to chat about what will suit you best.
1 Plain English edit
Plain English editing is our most comprehensive service with the highest level of intervention.
We follow the international definition of plain language, so our edits adjust the wording, structure and design. It's something of an art getting them all to work in harmony and ensuring the audience really benefits.
2 Copyedit
Copyediting is about bringing clarity and consistency to your text, without a major overhaul or structural work.
We will adjust your text at the sentence level to make it as readable and accurate as possible. But we won't rewrite big chunks as we might do with a plain English edit. Nor will we apply a new design.
3 Proofread
Proofreading is about final fixes.
Your content is in place, it's had a thorough edit and the layout is done.
This isn't the time for lots of changes, but rather for making sure the text is ready to publish. We focus on last-minute issues with spelling, grammar and punctuation or problems that might have cropped up during layout.
How we work
Here's an overview of the steps we follow for each plain English editing or copyediting project. It really is as easy as 1-2-3.
If you're after proofreading, it's even easier! You won't need to comment on our draft unless you'd like to check something with us.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
1 The handover
You send us the complete draft
Once all your content is in place, you email us your draft. You can also book in a free 15-minute phone consultation.
We confirm the project details
We send you a quote and we agree a contract with you. Then we can get underway.
2 The main edit
You put your feet up
You've done the hard work in drafting the content, so it's time to relax (or move on to the next project!)
We transform your text
We work on your text, with care and attention to detail, drawing from our many years of experience.
3 The final touches
You check over our draft
We email you our draft for review. You let us know if you would like any other changes.
We finalise and proof the draft
We make your changes and proofread the text. Then it comes back to you: transformation complete.
