Zoë has been editing and proofreading text in various forms for over 20 years. She is passionate about language and enjoys helping authors, including those whose first language isn’t English, make their writing shine. She has worked on corporate documents, web content, fiction and academic non-fiction in various formats, including LaTeX. She has copyedited over 1300 scientific journal articles spanning multiple fields, from astrophysics to zoology and everything in between. She is a physics graduate and a Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP).
Fiction editing and proofreading
Looking at your own manuscript objectively is tricky, especially when you’ve been working on it for months or years. Zoë offers beta reading, line editing, copyediting and proofreading services for fiction, and can provide developmental and structural comments if requested. Having received feedback on her own work, she always endeavours to treat authors with the kindness and respect she would expect herself when making editorial suggestions. Zoë reads widely and is happy to work on most genres, but she has a particular fondness for speculative fiction.
Academic editing
As a physics graduate and general science enthusiast, Zoë is interested in academic editing projects in all fields. She can provide either a basic copyedit or a more extensive specialist scientific edit depending on your requirements.
Pricing
Providing generic pricing estimates for editorial work is very difficult. Project rates will depend on a number of factors, including subject matter, writing style, word count, required completion time and the author’s proficiency with the English language. Some texts may require a light edit, while others might need extensive rewording or restructuring. Some may actually need proofreading rather than copyediting (if you’re unsure of the difference, please read the CIEP’s guidance note here). For some projects, a per-word rate may be more appropriate than an hourly rate. The CIEP has published suggested minimum rates here.
Getting in touch
For initial enquiries regarding editorial work, please email contact [at] zoebadowska [dot] com (replacing the terms in square brackets with the appropriate symbols) and provide the following details:
- Type of work (fiction/non-fiction/academic), including genre for fiction;
- Word count;
- Document format (e.g., Microsoft Word);
- Service required (copyediting/proofreading/specialist scientific editing);
- Required completion time;
- Country in which you’re based.
If Zoë has the capacity to assist with your project, she will request further details and your full manuscript to review before providing an estimate.
