Editing & Proofreading

The professional editors at The Writers For Hire will eliminate grammatical errors and other obstacles for your readers, as well as suggest ways to improve the clarity, flow, and organization of your writing. But more importantly, we make sure that your message comes across loud and clear.

When you’re recounting an event of personal significance or sharing professional advice that you’ve learned from experience, it’s only natural that you’re attached to the topic. Plus, you’re definitely the expert – you lived the lesson. But this often clouds your judgment: It’s rare for individuals to be able to read their own work objectively.

That’s where we come in. We provide an outsider’s perspective to make sure that your manuscript retells the account in clear and compelling language.

Your Patient Guide Through the Writing Process

Whether you bring decades of writing experience to your book or you are writing your very first piece, we offer patient guidance to make sure that your manuscript – and indeed your entire writer’s journey – is the best it can be. Our team has a combined 100 years of expertise providing editing and proofreading services across a whole range of writing projects, including:

What Services Can I Expect for My Book?

Most clients who come to us for editing and proofreading service tend to be businesspeople who need help polishing their nonfiction works like how-to instructional texts, advice they’ve learned through their vast experience, books for speakers, and that sort of thing. Our editing services for books of this nature typically include the following progression of review elements:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
 
Developmental editing

This review of your manuscript from an overall perspective provides a general critique of its style, structure, and flow.

  • Evaluating plotline and characterization (typically for fiction).
  • Offering feedback about the organization.
  • Noting stylistic and informational strengths.
  • Identifying and suggesting changes to weaknesses.
Line editing

This more detailed assessment typically comes after a revision per the suggestions of the developmental edit.

  • Recommending changes to address issues with flow or pacing.
  • Deleting sections that don’t really fit.
  • Focusing on content, style, and voice rather than fixing typos and grammar or punctuation errors.
Copy editing

This “technical” phase occurs throughout the writing process, once the big-picture issues have been addressed, and it can happen multiple times.

  • Reviewing your copy to improve the flow and overall quality of your writing.
  • Correcting errors or inconsistencies.
  • Revising sentences and paragraphs for flow.
  • Making the copy cleaner and clearer.
  • Guaranteeing your copy follows your designated style guide, if necessary.
Proofreading

This is usually one of the last stages, once you've gotten your piece as “final” as possible.

  • Reading your final draft (after it has been edited and approved) to remove any last errors.
  • Examining the layout and/or formatting.
  • Double-checking any dates, URLs, page numbers, or other pertinent details.

References Available

Sure, we think our writing team is pretty great – but we’re just a bit biased. If you’d like to learn more about what it’s like to work with us, from our real ghostwriting customers, we can provide references upon request.

FAQs

  • Q: Who has the rights to my book?

    A: You do. It’s your book, and you retain 100% of the rights to it.

  • Q: Who gets credit for writing my book?

    A: You do. In addition to retaining 100% of the rights to your book, you can claim sole authorship. Some of our clients choose to credit us as editors or co-writers. Although it’s nice to get a shout-out now and then, the majority of our clients don’t disclose the fact that they used a ghostwriter – and that’s fine with us.

  • Q: Is ghostwriting ethical?

    A: Of course. Your ghostwriter is simply helping you say what you want to say in a clear, engaging way. The ideas are 100% yours – all a ghostwriter does is help you get it on the page.

  • Q: I don’t want anyone to know I used a ghostwriter. How do I ensure privacy?

    A: We take your privacy seriously. Most of our ghostwriting contracts include a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

  • Q: I’m short on funding. Can I pay you a portion of proceeds, after publication?

    A: Our ghostwriters are professional, full-time writers and editors – and in order to keep them on our team, we have to pay them for their time. Our business model simply isn’t set up to take projects on spec.

  • Q: My business/subject matter is very technical. Are you sure you can write/edit my book?

    A: Yes. Our diverse writing and editing team includes experienced writers with backgrounds in science and technology, oil & gas, journalism, education, and software engineering. They’re smart, naturally curious, and genuinely interested in learning more about your area of expertise. And, because ghostwriting is a collaborative effort, you’ll have the opportunity to review and fact-check every page we write.

  • Q: Can you publish my book?

    A: We can publish your book through KDP, an Amazon subsidiary. If you are interested in other publishing options, we can recommend and provide introductions to several traditional and self-publishing companies.

  • Q: I live in Seattle. Your company is based in Houston. How can you write my book?

    A: Technology makes it easy for us to work with anyone, anywhere. Plus, we love to fly and will to travel to you if you prefer. After the initial kickoff meeting, most of our ghostwriting clients communicate with us via email, phone, or Skype. We’ve worked with hundreds of happy clients from all over the globe – from Singapore to San Jose to Scottsdale.

  • Q: What if I don’t like your edits or writing?

    A: Ghostwriting is a back-and-forth process, and we seek specific, constructive feedback from you every step of the way. Once we get a feel for your style preferences, we write a few pages and send them to you for review. You tell us what’s working – and what’s not working – and we send you a revised copy. You see every chapter as we go, which means there won’t be any surprises at the end.

  • Q: Can you design my book’s cover or create custom illustrations or infographics?

    A: We don’t offer illustrations and infographics in-house, but we can provide introductions and recommendations for design work, and we can project manage the design portion of your book.

  • Q: My 92-year-old grandmother isn’t thrilled about talking to a writer. How are you going to get her to open up?

    A: A lot of people get nervous about the idea of talking to writers; that’s why all of our family and personal writing projects begin with a face-to-face meeting. A book – especially a biography or family history book – is a big project that requires a lot of collaboration. It’s important that we take the time to get to know you, and it’s also important that you like us and feel comfortable talking to us. (So far, we’ve got a great track record. By the end of most book projects, most of our clients feel like we’re members of their extended family.)

  • Q: Can you guarantee that my book will get published?

    A: If you are referring to self-publishing, which is now almost 20% of the current market, then yes. If you are referring to traditional publishing, no one can guarantee publication. We can, however, provide you with introductions to a few local/niche publishers; we can help guide you through the self-publishing process; and we can pitch your book to traditional publishers.

  • Q: How long will it take to write my book?

    A: A full-length book typically takes between 6 and 12 months. However, a compressed scheduled can almost always be accommodated. Just tell us what your deadline is. Chances are, we can make it.

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    Why Choose The Writers For Hire?

    You'll work with a great team of writers, with real-world experience. No newbies here, just check out our resumes. Equally important, you'll work with writers who understand -- really understand -- what it means to take care of our customers, make projects our own, and deliver on our promises.

    Testimonials

    I would like to thank Wintress, Stephanie, and Michelle of The Writers for Hire in appreciation of their flexibility and support. Without them, this book would never have been written.

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    Rich M, Ghostwriting Client

    I received the book today. It looks amazing. I will take it over to my father tomorrow. I hope he is as proud of it as I am. Thank you for telling his story.

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    Kathy N, Ghostwriting Client

    Erin, we would be honored to have our book showcased on your website! Amanda has mailed the book to all family members they should have it this week. Thanks for all your help and support on the book!

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    Buzz, Book Writing Client

    We are very pleased with the stories you did for us, and it has been a pleasure working with your company. We have other books planned, and we will certainly be in touch with you for additional work. In the meantime, please know how much we appreciate everything.

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    Ghostwriting Client

    I just had the chance to read few pages of your edited version while sitting at the auto dealership for service on my vehicle. I am very impressed and well-pleased with your work. From my perspective, I couldn't ask for a better read. So let's keep up this great work so that we end up with a "great product." I just wanted you to know that I am super-pleased and excited.

    avtar

    Ghostwriting Client

    Request A Quote

    To receive a no-obligation quote for your next copywriting, ghostwriting, editing, or proofreading project, fill out the form below or call (713)465-6860.

    To review general pricing, visit our writing prices page.


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