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Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS YOUR CLIENT ONBOARDING PROCESS?

The process for taking on new clients at The Writing Studio involves the following steps:

1. Connect
You are invited to reach out to us via email at info@thewritingstudio.com.au, through a phone call on 0468 373 790, or by completing our website contact form. We will review your request, respond promptly and ask for further details about the project. 

2. Discuss

We will schedule a call or video meeting as appropriate to discuss project specifics, goals and deadlines. Following this, we will provide a project proposal including scope, pricing and a timeline.

3. Agreement

Upon your acceptance of our proposal, we will sign a contract outlining project details, terms and payment schedules. An initial deposit to secure our services is required at this stage.

WHAT INFORMATION DO YOU NEED IN THE FIRST CONTACT?

We invite as much detail as possible in that initial contact so we can get the best idea of how we can support you.

When engaging with us, please try to include the following information where possible:

Copywriting: Share the link to at least one of your online business platforms; identify the type of media (eg website, socials, flyers) you are requesting support with, and required timeframes

Editing: We ask that you provide us with an approximate 500-word sample of your written project as well as a brief outline (100-200 words) of your narrative.

Resumes: List the position/s you are applying for, state which industry of the sought position/s, and mention whether we are creating or editing a resume.

Transcription: Share the nature of your project (eg interview, podcast, academic paper) and length of recording/s.

publishing, marketing campaigns, or other platforms. Including a sample where possible is preferred.

DO YOU OFFER ONLINE SERVICES?

Yes. Most of our services are available online, and all are available in person for clients based in Cairns. 

HOW DO YOU CALCULATE COSTS OF SERVICES?

We are committed to providing high-quality experiences at a reasonable price. We consider a range of factors including the extent and complexity of each job and client, which may encompass technical research, word count, appropriate software and bundling services.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LINE-EDITING, COPY-EDITING AND PROOFREADING?

Line-editing, copy-editing and proofreading are three distinct stages of the editorial process offered at The Writing Studio.


Copy-editing is the most comprehensive of the three stages and involves a detailed review of the text for clarity, coherence, and consistency. It addresses issues related to grammar, punctuation, syntax and technical style, and may involve rewriting or reorganising sentences to improve readability and flow while ensuring that the author's voice remains intact. The primary goal is to refine the writing so it effectively engages the target audience without barriers.

Line-editing ensures that books, short stories, blog posts and articles are as effective and engaging as they can be. It consider texts at the paragraph and sentence levels, looking at sentence structure, word choice, pacing, tone and style. The process may involve rephrasing sentences, improving word choice to make sure that the writing is clear, concise, and stylistically consistent. The aim of line-editing is to enhance the overall quality of the prose to ensure that it reads smoothly and effectively, while maintaining the author's intended message and style. While copy-editing is more concerned with the mechanics of writing, line-editing is a distinct editing phase that focuses on style.

Proofreading is the final stage and concentrates on the surface-level errors and inconsistencies that may have been missed during copy-editing and line-editing. It primarily involves meticulously checking for typos, spelling errors, punctuation mistakes, and formatting issues. Proofreading focuses on ensuring that the manuscript is free from minor errors that could distract or confuse readers, and serves the primary purpose of producing a clean, error-free document that is ready for publication or distribution.

It is worth noting that there is a fourth phase of editing that generally comes first in the editing process for narratives: 

Developmental editing focuses on big-picture editing. It reviews narrative content for structure, organisation and overall coherence with a focus on logical flow, proper structure, and that the ideas are presented in a clear and engaging manner. A developmental editor may reorganise sections, suggest additions or deletions, address content gaps and refine overall narrative. While The Writing Studio does not current offer developmental editing services, this is a stage that should not be overlooked in the early stages of editing.

IN WHAT ORDER SHOULD THE EDITING STAGES BE COMPLETED?

Generally speaking, the stages of editing should be completed as follows:

1. Developmental editing will help to ensure your writing has a logical flow, proper structure, and that your ideas are presented in a clear and engaging manner. 

2. Line-editing will polish the prose, enhance your tone, and support consistency of style to make sure that your writing is smooth and stylistically consistent.

3. Copy-editing will address grammar and punctuation errors, improve sentence structure, check for clarity, and ensure the mechanics of your writing style is consistent throughout.

4. Proofreading will prepare your writing for publication through a final review for surface-level errors and formatting issues.

You may also choose to put your book, article or short story through alpha- and beta-reading tests before investing in the services of a professional editor. This may help you to reduce your expenses and help your editor focus on the finer details of your writing.

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