Frequently Asked Questions

Editing and proofreading take place at different stages of the publication process, although the boundaries between the stages are not always rigid.

• Developmental editing addresses the manuscript as a whole, including its structure, content, pacing, plot, and character development. It generally takes place during drafting or early revision.

• Structural editing focuses on organization and flow so that ideas, sections, or plotlines progress clearly and logically.

• Line editing polishes individual sentences for clarity, tone, style, and readability.

• Copyediting corrects grammar, spelling, punctuation, usage, formatting, and inconsistencies.

• Fact-checking verifies factual details, from historical information to technical material. It is most common in nonfiction, although some fiction—particularly historical fiction—may require it as well.

• Proofreading is the final quality-control review, performed after editing and usually after the manuscript has been formatted.

• Beta reading with commentary provides an attentive reader’s response to the manuscript before final production. The beta reader notes anything that may confuse, distract, or concern the intended audience and responds to any particular questions the author has supplied.

 It may. If your work is highly technical or contains specialized legal or medical material, I recommend having a qualified subject-matter expert review it for accuracy. My specialties include general fiction and nonfiction, essays, theses, and dissertations. 

 Rates vary according to the type of editing required, the length and condition of the manuscript, its subject matter and formatting requirements, and the requested deadline. Academic and technical work may cost more because it often requires specialized formatting, documentation, or style-guide work. Because every manuscript is different, I provide an individualized quotation after reviewing the project. 

 I’m Frances Vogt, the owner and sole practitioner of FTVogt Editing Services. I am a certified proofreader and hold a Master of Arts in English Language and Literature. I personally handle every project, drawing on extensive experience in editing, proofreading, teaching, and language arts. 

 I treat every client’s manuscript, supporting material, and correspondence as confidential and use them only to complete the requested work. I do not share client material with anyone else without the client’s permission. If your project has particular security or confidentiality requirements, please discuss them with me before submitting your files. 

 Turnaround time depends on the length, condition, subject matter, and format of the document, as well as the type of service required. I schedule projects in the order in which they are accepted and provide an estimated completion date after reviewing the material. As a general example, a 70,000-word novel that has already undergone copyediting and line editing can often be proofread within three to five business days. Academic and technical writing may require more time because citations, bibliographies, footnotes, tables, diagrams, and other elements must also be checked. 

 I generally follow The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) for fiction and general nonfiction and MLA or APA style for academic work. I can also follow a publisher’s house style or another style guide specified for your project. Please provide any project-specific style sheet, instructions, or requirements when you submit your material. 

 Microsoft Word is the industry standard and my preferred format because it allows me to make corrections and comments directly in the text using Track Changes. I can also annotate PDF files and work in Google Docs using Suggesting mode. If you prefer to work with a printed copy, contact me in advance to discuss proofreading it by hand with standard proofreader’s marks. 

 Absolutely. Email me five to ten consecutive pages from the “messy middle” of your manuscript—or a representative passage from a shorter document. I will mark the sample and return it so that you can review my approach and ask questions before deciding whether to proceed. 

 Rush service may be available depending on my schedule and the length, condition, and complexity of the document. Some proofreading projects can be completed within 24 to 72 hours. An additional rush fee applies. Please contact me before submitting your material so that I can confirm availability, timing, and cost.