What the Final Polish is -
The Final Polish is a polishing of the final manuscript, making it all shiny for your readers.
To avoid confusion, BFF Editing has chosen to refer to this final, detailed, fine-tooth-comb read through stage of the process as a "Final Polish" rather than a "proofread."
It includes:
The Final Polish catches and corrects overlooked issues that have managed to slip through the rigorous scrutiny of the other stages, such as:
The Final Polish is a polishing of the final manuscript, making it all shiny for your readers.
To avoid confusion, BFF Editing has chosen to refer to this final, detailed, fine-tooth-comb read through stage of the process as a "Final Polish" rather than a "proofread."
It includes:
- 1 pass/round of edits
- inline corrections
- Bonus: reader feedback in Comments
The Final Polish catches and corrects overlooked issues that have managed to slip through the rigorous scrutiny of the other stages, such as:
- typos
- formatting
- homonyms
- punctuation
- grammar
- verb tenses
What it is not -
The Final Polish is not technically either an edit or a proofread. It should not substantively alter the piece (therefore it is not an edit). And it is not actually a "proofread" in the formal, publishing industry understanding of that term (comparing the proofs, or printed versions of the manuscript with the last edited version to make sure no errors have been introduced by the formatter or printer). Many in the ebook publishing industry, however, do call the final read through after the final edit a "proofread."
The Final Polish is not technically either an edit or a proofread. It should not substantively alter the piece (therefore it is not an edit). And it is not actually a "proofread" in the formal, publishing industry understanding of that term (comparing the proofs, or printed versions of the manuscript with the last edited version to make sure no errors have been introduced by the formatter or printer). Many in the ebook publishing industry, however, do call the final read through after the final edit a "proofread."
Who would need this Service?
Every piece of writing needs a Final Polish! Whether you hire me, or someone else, this is a crucial step in making your book look professional and ready for your readers. You also might think this is a pretty simple task - just be a careful reader, looking for typos. But a really good Final Polish is exacting and takes time. The human mind can only concentrate for so long at a time with that degree of intensity.
Because the human brain also can trick itself, especially when it is familiar with a piece - seeing what it expects rather than what is truly printed on the page - it is nearly impossible to do yourself. Nor is it recommended to have your editor do your final polish. So I subcontract this service or outsource it to a trusted peer if I have been the primary editor of a piece. This brings fresh eyes to the project.
But afterward I still go through the manuscript once more time.
Contact me to discuss how we can get your story all clean and classy with a Final Polish before sending it out into the world.
Every piece of writing needs a Final Polish! Whether you hire me, or someone else, this is a crucial step in making your book look professional and ready for your readers. You also might think this is a pretty simple task - just be a careful reader, looking for typos. But a really good Final Polish is exacting and takes time. The human mind can only concentrate for so long at a time with that degree of intensity.
Because the human brain also can trick itself, especially when it is familiar with a piece - seeing what it expects rather than what is truly printed on the page - it is nearly impossible to do yourself. Nor is it recommended to have your editor do your final polish. So I subcontract this service or outsource it to a trusted peer if I have been the primary editor of a piece. This brings fresh eyes to the project.
But afterward I still go through the manuscript once more time.
Contact me to discuss how we can get your story all clean and classy with a Final Polish before sending it out into the world.
How are fees calculated for the Final Polish?
The scope of what this service could mean for a particular manuscript is quite wide. I have to determine what will actually be required (for instance, has the document been professionally edited?) It is also very exacting work that takes time as well as a great deal of concentration, consideration, and multiple read throughs.
Check out my Service Packages for better rates if your story is in need of both Substantive and Mechanical edits.
See Fee Calculations page for explanation of how fees are reached. Fees are calculated in US Dollars.
See Fee Calculations page for explanation of how fees are reached. Fees are calculated in US Dollars.
NOTE - A Plea to Authors:
Send out fully edited and polished stories to your ARC readers, whenever possible.
When you calculate your timing for things, ARC readers should get at least a week to read the book before PDay (publication day). And your editor needs at least a week before that (or probably more, depending) in order to do their job properly. Everyone's experience will be better if you plan ahead and don't rush the process.
You will be doing yourself and your ARC team a kindness. If you are asking them to write a fair and honest review of your story, you want them to be reading the final copy. Don't put them in the awkward position of either having to come to you with a long list of editing issues they've found and had to laboriously transcribe (if they are conscientious and loyal to you) or of having to write a bad review of your book (if they are scrupulously honest and thinking of the future reading enjoyment of others). Be a good Book Friend and put your best work out there for all the world to read.
Send out fully edited and polished stories to your ARC readers, whenever possible.
When you calculate your timing for things, ARC readers should get at least a week to read the book before PDay (publication day). And your editor needs at least a week before that (or probably more, depending) in order to do their job properly. Everyone's experience will be better if you plan ahead and don't rush the process.
You will be doing yourself and your ARC team a kindness. If you are asking them to write a fair and honest review of your story, you want them to be reading the final copy. Don't put them in the awkward position of either having to come to you with a long list of editing issues they've found and had to laboriously transcribe (if they are conscientious and loyal to you) or of having to write a bad review of your book (if they are scrupulously honest and thinking of the future reading enjoyment of others). Be a good Book Friend and put your best work out there for all the world to read.
"I used BFF Editing Services ... I feel like my book was thoroughly edited and errors were found that I otherwise missed ... It was a stress-free experience with a very friendly editor. I would wholeheartedly recommend BFF Editing."
-Author Grace Risata