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About substantive editing

Substantive editing differs substantively (pun intended) from copy editing. Whereas the latter focuses on language and the general readability of the text, substantive editing focuses on the storyline, arguments and data presentation. There is often much to be gained by substantive editing. In particular by an an outsider. 

This is because after working years on a project we get a certain level of narrow mindedness that, more often than not, filters through to the manuscript. We have a predetermined organisation of the results that may not be logical for reviewers. We tend to forget pointing out why this particular binding event, enzymatic cleavage or translocation demonstrate our conclusion. We assume reviewers also see the logic of this particular normalisation, showing the omit map at 0.7 sigma or a T-test etc.

With substantive editing I focus on avoiding reviewers rejecting the manuscript due to some utterly unforeseen focus on details the authors might find completely insignificant. Firstly, by playing the devils advocate (or that "2nd reviewer"). Secondly, by suggesting changes to that may clarify details or change focus in parts of the manuscript.

In other words my substantive editing aims to shorten the writing process but also to add an extra perspective on the manuscript and ideally shorten the review process.

Why a freelancer ?

Firstly, I am good at it. Secondly, I have been editing for a couple of the larger companies on the market and it was good practice. However, a market pressured on price forces the individual editor to work fast with an inevitable compromise in quality. As such, by disintermediation I don't rely on other companies and ultimately, for the same price, spend more time on the individual text. 

Which subjects?

I only edit within my comfort zone and I have listed examples of my preferred subject areas below:

Structural biology: X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, SAXS, SANS etc. as well computational chemistry

Biochemistry: Protein-protein interactions, enzyme kinetics, protein purification.

Biophysics: Thermodynamics, mass spectrometry, fluorimetry, surface plasmon resonance 

Molecular biology: Cloning, heterologous protein expression.

This is to provide an idea and does not mean that your manuscript needs to be a perfect fit with any these though. I have also edited manuscripts within subjects such as microbiology and medicinal chemistry.

Procedure

After signing a digital non-disclosure agreement I will give the text a quick look and provide a quote. When I have edited the text I will send a document (word format if nothing else is agreed upon) with changes tracked. It is possible to let manuscripts  to go back and forth a few times. Follow up editing is much less time consuming and thus much lower cost.

Timeframe

The editing process typically takes a day but there may be other assignments ahead in the pipeline. For short deadlines contact me for pricing, timeframe etc. 

 

Pricing

Pricing may vary but a typical relatively clean manuscript of 6-12.000 words will cost 5-7000 SEK (approx USD 5-700) VAT excluded.

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