Words Have Power

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Stephanie McConchie (Dip Edit) - Focus Proofreading and Editing.

About me

I am Stephanie McConchie (Dip Edit), a proofreader and editor with experience in working with self-published authors on various book genres, including biographies and memoirs.

When I edit or proofread manuscripts, I aim to maintain the author’s voice while enhancing clarity, consistency, and readability. I acknowledge the dedication writers put into their work and aim to assist them in refining their own words, rather than altering them completely. This is especially important when working with biographies and memoirs. When friends and family read a biography or a memoir, I believe they should be able to ‘hear’ the author’s voice as if the author is reading their book to them.

I also prioritise a collaborative and stress-free editing experience for clients.

Every author wants to be proud of the work they publish. Editing and proofreading is a crucial step to ensuring that.

Services

COPY EDITING

When you submit your work for publication, you want to know it is correct, clear, and concise. I can help improve your work’s grammar, punctuation, clarity, and consistency while preserving its voice and purpose.

MY COPY-EDITING SERVICE INCLUDES:

  • Formatting headings and paragraphs using Word Styles to maintain consistency

  • Checking spelling, punctuation, grammar, and tone

  • Checking paragraph and sentence structure and phrasing, making suggestions to enhance clarity and flow

  • Making and suggesting word changes where necessary

  • Checking continuity errors and timeline discrepancies

  • Checking for accuracy of dates and numbers, spelling of names and place names

  • Highlighting any details that need further investigation by the writer

  • Proofreading the document before returning it to the client.

PROOFREADING

Whether it’s proofreading a manuscript or the proof copy of a book, proofreading is an essential step in the publishing process. It is the last opportunity to correct any errors that may have been missed during the editing process before your book goes to print.

MY PROOFREADING SERVICE INCLUDES:

  • Correcting spelling, grammar, word choice and punctuation errors

  • Checking for continuity

  • Checking formatting such as font, headings, quotations, paragraphs, and page numbers

  • Fixing stylistic errors like inconsistent capitalisation and spelling variations between UK and US English.

Testimonials

  • “It was a pleasure to work with Stephanie. I appreciated her keen eye for detail and thoughtful insights. Additionally, she was incredibly professional and quick to respond to any queries. Overall, I would highly recommend her services.”

    Holly Kerehi
    Author

  • “Dear Stephanie, Thank you for your diligent work in proofreading and editing both of my books: Women & Money: Mastering The Struggle and Trusts 123. Your work is really very thorough and despite the vast number of edits, very easy to understand. I’m also really appreciative of the suggestions you made with respect to grammar and the layout of the book which I’ve taken on board. Whilst on the subject, also a big thank you from us at Black + White Trust Services for proofreading the copy we have used on our website. I’m proud to say the site has gone live, in the full knowledge it ‘reads well’ thanks to your efforts.”

    Janet Xuccoa

  • “I really enjoyed working with Stephanie on Broken is Beautiful, my first novel. Stephanie did a very thorough job of picking up all my errors. I also really appreciated her teaching me about the rationale for her editing choices and discussing where matters are optional. I learned a lot that I will apply in the next novel I am writing, and I hope Stephanie will be available to copy edit it for me.”

    Jane Shearer

    Author

  • “Focus Proofreading & Editing (Stephanie McConchie) proofed the manuscripts and galleys of my book Umberto Nobile and the Arctic Search for the Airship Italia. This required above-average skill as the book includes a timeline, technical glossary, main text, detailed endnotes, a note on sources, bibliography, and index. There are words from half a dozen languages and a great deal of highly technical content. Stephanie produced excellent work and always met deadlines. I will continue to use her services and think very highly of her work.”

    Garth Cameron
    Author, Barrister and Solicitor

  • “Highly recommended. The journey between finishing your novel and publication can be an extremely stressful one. Especially if you don’t have allies to get you through the correct channels. Fortunately for me, I was referred to Stephanie. Her editing of my debut novel The Genison Cavalry left me feeling very happy that I had reached out to her. Her changes were not only appreciated but, as it turned out, vital. I didn't realise how unready my book was for publication until she sent back my manuscript. I certainly plan on using her again for future projects.”

    Sean Ackland
    Author

  • “Stephanie was recommended to me and proofread my novel Surveillance. Efficient, extremely thorough, and incredibly attentive to detail, Stephanie also has a keen eye for errors in plot and continuity. A good communicator, I have full confidence that Stephanie will find my typos and errors which helps me to be assured that the presentation of my written work is to the highest possible standard.”

    Riley Chance
    Fiction Author

  • “I had the absolute pleasure of working with Stephanie on my debut novel. Her professional and friendly manner put me at ease which really made me feel I could trust her. She was supportive and helpful all the way through the process of getting my manuscript edited. Her communication was clear which made the whole experience super easy. I will definitely be utilising her expertise with my next manuscript!”

    Samuel Windybank
    Author

  • “I have had the pleasure of working with Stephanie on two projects. Stephanie proofread my debut novel Gang Girl before self-publication. Her meticulous work went beyond proofreading and identified timeline issues, which we could correct before publication. Stephanie subsequently proofed my second book, The Road to Madhapur, before submission to a traditional publisher. Stephanie is an excellent communicator and made the process both smooth and enjoyable. We were in frequent email contact throughout and discussed any significant changes that needed attention. Her skill at picking out the smallest typesetting errors in the proof copy of Gang Girl was outstanding. This attention to detail led to a polished final book. The relationship between an author and their editor and proofreader is crucial for a book’s success. Stephanie is a delight to work with, and I look forward to working with her again. I have no hesitation in recommending her to all aspiring and established authors.”

    David Whittet
    Author

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