Bedford & Grove. Proofreading and editing services BEDFORD & GROVE Partnership © 2020, all rights reserved. BEDFORD & GROVE Partnership © 2020, all rights reserved. Freelance editing and proofreading BEDFORD & GROVE Partnership © 2020, all rights reserved. Members of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading partnership © 2020, all rights reserved. SERVICES We offer proofreading and copy-editing services including: novels, dissertations (PhD and Master's thesis, final-draft proofreading only), journal articles, website content, business literature, CVs, maths and science examination/tutor booklets, brochures etc. We also offer a bespoke English as second language ( ESL ) service. More Info WHAT WE DO Bedford & Grove provide professional editing, proofreading, and writing services. We know our success depends upon your satisfaction; to that end we guarantee never to miss an agreed deadline and never to outsource your work. We hope our work speaks for itself. More Info CLIENTS Our list of current and recent clients includes academics, publishers, artists, authors, and corporates including The Royal Society , Charlesworth Author Services, Elizabeth Delo, and Cambridge University Press . More Info ABOUT US We are an army of two freelance editors , working hard to build a well recognised, friendly, and reliable service. We edit, proofread, and even write your content. Our goal is to ensure your message and vision are preserved through the application of diligent and careful attention to detail. We help authors and business professionals of all stripes to polish and present their written message (see our page of clients and publications ). We will never offload your work to a third party and will always meet your deadline. Please browse our website, look at our services , and contact us to discuss how we can help you. While you are here, please take a moment to read some nice things that some of our clients have written about our work. Learn more Clients CLIENTS & PUBLICATIONS See the full list

Editing and proofreading, editing, proofreading, messaging, writing, copy-editing CONTACT we are here to help Whatever your query, please use the contact form, below, so that we can arrange an informal, no-obligation chat about your work. We will do our very best to contact you as soon as possible to discuss things further. If you'd rather, feel free to simply email us to arrange a convenient time for us to discuss your requirements. It is important that you know that ANY information you provide to us will only be used to reply to your query. For further information regarding this and much more please see our privacy policy . Telephone 07974 780664 Email office@bedfordandgrove.co.uk Contact Us First name Last name Email Write a message Submit Thanks for submitting!

Editing and proofreading, editing, proofreading, messaging, writing, copy-editing INFORMATION some explanation Copy-editing or proofreading? The Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading have clear and detailed definitions. We can do no better than, with thanks, reproduce their small print here ... Copy-editing The tasks carried out during copy-editing will vary depending on the nature of the text, how and where it will be published, what work has or will be carried out by someone else, and practical considerations such as the budget and time available. Here are some typical copy-editing tasks. Checking Checking that all elements of a text or document are present, in the right order and are referred to in exactly the same way throughout. For example: chapter/section titles match list of contents numbered lists and chapters/sections are sequential illustrations are all provided and match the text content, and appropriate captions have been written citations correspond exactly to the details in the reference section or bibliography; all entries in a reference section are cited in the text. Checking that any references to content or features elsewhere in the text (cross-references) are accurate. Checking that basic facts and arguments are plausible, consistent and reasonable. Querying any language that is non-inclusive or problematic from a legal point of view. In fiction, checking that characters’ physical characteristics (such as eye colour) and names stay the same, making sure the timeline and the fictional world hold together, and keeping the narrative voice consistent (for example, making sure it doesn’t leap from first person to third person). Correcting and making consistent Correcting errors or inconsistencies in spelling, punctuation, grammar, style and usage. Checking and correcting spellings of names, for example of places or people. Imposing consistency in use of, for example, italics, bold and capitals. Improving clarity by rewording or reformatting text that is confusing or convoluted, or suggesting structural additions to help readability such as headings or lists. Cleaning Cleaning up the document before it goes for design/layout (for example by removing unwanted formatting and extra spaces). Marking up the structure of the document (such as heading levels, boxed items, lists, figures and images). This is typically done using paragraph and character styles and/or tags. Communicating Creating and populating information documents (such as a style sheet and instructions for the designer/typesetter) that those following them in the project will need. Liaising with the author or intermediary on anything that the copy-editor cannot confirm alone, such as preferred points of style, approval of suggested rewording or the location of missing information. Proofreading In traditional publishing, proofreading is the stage in the workflow that comes after copy-editing – once the text is in layout and before publication. Often the word ‘proofreading’ is used more loosely, to describe almost any editorial intervention and correction to a text. Because proofreading and copy-editing are different tasks and need professionals with specific skills, it’s important for both client and professional to understand which service the text needs. A proofreader should help to ensure that a text is ready to be published. You can think of it as the final quality check. Because the proofreader works near the end of the publication process, they are usually looking for remaining errors that must be corrected. Unless they have been specifically briefed to do so as extra paid tasks, the proofreader will not be rewording sentences, making larger structural interventions such as reordering blocks of text or inserting headings, or fact-checking (but they may raise a query about anything that seems wrong). Formats and markup We work mostly with Microsoft Word, PDF, and good old paper (hard copy); all formats are fine, we will work in whichever way is most convenient to you. However, there are differences between format types that will have a knock-on effect in terms of the time spent on editing. In Word we will markup (highlight suggested changes) using Track Changes. This method has the distinct advantage that you can then view each and every change that we make and have the ability to accept or reject them (sometimes this can be a mixed blessing). We use bespoke markup tools for PDF markup. PDF markup takes longer than using Word's Track Changes, but is more versatile in that it allows the editor/proofreader the freedom to implement British Standard markup symbols. Of course, the hieroglyph-like symbols we refer to will not suit everyone's requirements and for this reason we can either supply an editing-symbol key or simply explain our changes in plain English ... it's all up to you. Substantive editing Here is a brief overview of an even more in-depth form of editing, so called substantive or developmental editing. The purpose of this kind of edit is to make your document; your novel, journal paper, memoir etc., functional for your intended audience. A substantive edit precedes both the copy-editing and proofreading stages, and is primarily an analysis-based exercise, as opposed to the rules-based approach, common to copy-editing and proofreading. For this reason a substantive editor works more closely with the author than a copy-editor or proofreader might; substantive editing is a collaborative process that deals with the overall structure of the project. A typical checklist approach might be as follows: Does the document work as a coherent whole? Is the order and presentation of information logical (from the target audience's point of view)? Is all necessary information included, and unnecessary information deleted? Are the table of contents, internal headings, indexes useful? Do they contain terms that are useful to the target audience? Concerning say a website, are the navigation aids logical and useful in context? Other considerations include Sentence complexity and use of active or passive verbs Conciseness Clear, logical development of ideas Use of jargon or technical terms appropriate for the intended audience.

Editing and proofreading, editing, proofreading, messaging, writing, copy-editing WHAT WE DO We appreciate that different clients will have different expectations and understanding of the editing process, for this reason we have provided a category-specific menu covering the following broad disciplines: authors and self publishers corporates publishers academics postgraduates English as a second language (ESL) In addition to any special requests ALL edits receive the following basic checks (depending on your document type, or your specific requests): typographic errors and annoying things missed by conventional spellcheckers (e.g., from/form, its/it's) US/UK spellchecking (ise/ize, our/or etc.) verb tense and agreement sentence structuring consistency of style (hyphenation, quotation marks, serial commas, heading case, use of caps, fonts, line spacing, indenting etc.) adherence to specific requests or a house style Academic documents are also edited for: citation format consistency reference formatting and matching third-person voice Please take a look at our services page and see details of what we can do for you.

Editing and proofreading, editing, proofreading, messaging, writing, copy-editing AUTHORS and self publishers Authors have a tough time. It can be a lonely business. It's so easy to become too close to your own writing. Things can be even tougher for you if you're going it alone as an independent, with no one to act as a second pair of eyes. Wouldn't it be good to know that when you've finished that first draft, you have someone in place with fresh eyes, and the training and experience to pick up not just the typos, punctuation, and grammar, but also to highlight those things that, over time, and many rereads, you have missed because you have read not what you have written but what your overworked brain thinks that you have written? Proofreaders and editors are specifically trained to read in quite a different way so that these errors can be quickly flagged and corrected. What we can do for you proofread/copy-edit your novel, novella, or poetry substantive editing of your work, see the mini glossary of these terms on the information page format your final draft so that it is ready for the oh-so-particular way that publishers like to receive your manuscript. Please contact us for an informal discussion on how we might be able to help with any or more of these suggestions. Our experience We are members of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading . We have worked closely with independent authors and have proofread, copy-edited, and substantively edited a number of novels. We write too, therefore we share your pain, and are aware of the pitfalls of going it alone. Benefits we can provide We offer friendly and constructive advice. You will find us easy to get along with and always enthusiastic about your project; we share a fascination of what makes authors' tick! We will always ensure that your words are clearly written and easily understood, and most importantly, that they convey the sense that you intended. An accurate and fast turnaround service. As members of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading we are bound by its established code of practice . If you would like to work with friendly and dedicated editors who understand that sweat and tears have gone into your opus, then please do get in touch . Remember: a professional edit will show your work at its very best for your readers.

Editing and proofreading, editing, proofreading, messaging, writing, copy-editing PRIVACY POLICY GDPR Part of our contract with you is that we be a responsible business owner and comply with 2018 EU General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) in order to fully protect your information. The following is a list of what we do in respect of this. Your personal data In order to communicate with you efficiently and professionally it will be necessary for us to collect and store at least a modicum of your basic personal information, such as: name email address contact postal address details specific to your enquiry, e.g., the nature of your enquiry, whether you are an independent author or editor etc. Why do we collect data from you? We need the following, minimal information, such that we can: respond to your initial contact message via this website contact you prior, during, and after any work that we agree to do for you How do we use this data? We use the data we collect from you as follows: to contact you regarding your enquiry, for contract purposes, or in order to give an initial or updated quotation for our services to invoice you and to provide proof of our compliance with HMRC regulations to record your agreeing to the terms and conditions of the services we provide Our promise to you We will never distribute, lease, or sell your information to any third party unless you give us express written permission to do so. How does data transfer take place? We use Gmail ,and Dropbox for all data transfer. Details of their respective privacy policies can be found via the clickable links provided. How do we store your information? We use a password-protected computer to store your files, and to enable being mobile when we work; we also use Microsoft OneDrive. This gives us secure (password protected) access – from say a laptop – to data that are stored on our main computer. We do not keep copies of your work on any device save for our main computer. How will we deal with your files? All original files that you pass to us remain your property. Versions of these files that you have commissioned us to work on (i.e., to change format, edit, or to add content etc.) are our property until you have paid for the work we have agreed upon. Once you have paid, these files become your property. We keep all files and emails relating to completed work on our secure computer. This is useful to us in keeping a record of past work in the event that we work together again. However, if you have strong opinions on our keeping these records and would like us to delete this information on completion of our collaboration please just let us know. If you have contacted us and for whatever reason decide not to pursue a project with us we may keep your contact information for business analysis purposes. This would remain private to us, but again, if you have strong objections to our keeping this information just let us know. Our marketing strategy: how does it affect you? It is possible that we may contact you again about obtaining further work. To do this we would need to keep your contact details, and work-related information you might previously have disclosed, on file. This information is for our own marketing and we will never share it with anyone else. Please let us know if you do not want us to do this. We check and update this policy regularly. June 2025

Editing and proofreading, editing, proofreading, messaging, writing, copy-editing POSTGRADUATES papers and dissertations You have worked your socks off in order to get your Master's or PhD dissertation into shape. Nowadays, studying does not come without a heavy financial burden, and the long months – sometimes years – of working the clock round in order to produce a body of work by which all your hard efforts will be judged should be worthy of your investments in time and money. In order to give yourself the best chance of success you need to be certain that, aside from the academic nature of your thesis, your work is free from grammatical error, and is clearly understood. We welcome working with postgraduate students for whom English is not a first language (see our ESL page). What we can do for you final-draft editing of Master's/PhD thesis proofreading and editing of papers, conference submissions, and job applications use Word tracked changes in order that you see each and every one of the modifications we make use LaTeX or Tex typesetting if required Offer reduced-rate editing for postgraduate students ... we've been there! Please contact us for an informal discussion on how we might be able to help with any or more of these suggestions. Our experience Matthew has studied and worked closely with researchers and academics in Engineering and Science departments in many UK and European universities. We have edited PhD theses and scientific papers in a variety scientific fields. Matthew has over 25 years' experience as a fully-qualified professional engineer, during which time he has held senior positions in Formula 1 racing, and the aviation sector. He has an extremely strong (and up-to-date) understanding of Mathematics, Physics, Engineering (all major disciplines), Sciences, Computing etc., and has a strong academic background in Aeronautics and Fluid Mechanics. Matthew has a PhD in Aeronautical Engineering, and has written and co-written papers, and presented at conference. We are experienced users of LaTeX and Tex typesetting programs as well as the usual mainstream software. Benefits we can provide Matthew has a dual academic-industrial background which gives him a precise understanding of the importance of your situation; the step you are about to make, and of the make-or-break consequences of producing a document that will determine the next step in your career. A final-draft edit will give you the confidence that your work will be grammatically correct and consistent, that the arguments that you present are clear and well presented, and that your hard work will be showcased to the greatest effect. The more professional your thesis or dissertation, the easier your examiner(s) will be convinced of your aptitude and potential, leaving you free to confidently defend the academic arguments and claims you have worked so hard to assemble. You will always get an accurate and fast turnaround service. As members of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading we are bound by its established code of practice . If you would like to work with dedicated editors who understand the nature and importance of your dissertation and its effect upon your future career, then please contact us today.

Editing and proofreading, editing, proofreading, messaging, writing, copy-editing HOW IT WORKS some details If proofreading is new to you, please take a few moments to read a little about how we'll get started. We have outlined below our standard method of working for proofreading (or copy-editing) novels, theses etc. The process is as follows: We will ask you to provide some details of the material to be proofread, such as how many words, whether it’s a novel, a journal article, a thesis etc. We will also ask you some questions about the format of the material and how you will want us to show the edit (e.g., in Word markup, PDF commenting, formal British Standard (BSI5261C:2005), or simply good old-fashioned red-pen comments in the margin). We will ask to see an example of the material that needs to be proofread, just a few sample pages, from which we will be able to get an idea of the work involved, for example: a final proofread or a more detailed edit. An idea of your deadline will be useful at this stage. Any material that you send to us will be kept confidential (see terms and conditions ). We will return your sample pages to demonstrate how the corrections and queries will look, together with a quotation price for the job. If you wish us to carry out the edit for you we will send you a contract outlining our agreement, we will then ask you to send us your work so that we can begin the edit. It might be that we agree that edited sections are returned along the way. We will return your edited document in a timely manner, in accordance with your deadline and our contract. For large jobs like novels or theses we ask that half the fee be paid prior to commencement of the work, the remainder will be invoiced in the usual way on completion of the work.

Editing and proofreading, editing, proofreading, messaging, writing, copy-editing ESL English as a second language Perhaps English is not your first language. Please don't let this get in the way – one of our growing specialist areas is helping ESL students, academics, and authors in presenting their work to the same high standards that they might easily achieve in their own native language. Inevitably this can take a little longer as our rate of edited words falls commensurately with the complexity of the original work ... but we'll get it all sorted for you. Please email us directly or use the contact page so that we can discuss things further. Some useful links: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_as_a_second_or_foreign_language https://www.onlinestudies.com/courses/esl/united-kingdom#

Editing and proofreading, editing, proofreading, messaging, writing, copy-editing BUSINESS working with corporates You are a busy person, after all you've a business to run. Your time is precious, as is your reputation with your customers and suppliers. You might require in-house documentation for your staff, advertising flyers, a website, a detailed report or proposal, or some other pressing and important documentation. Easy enough to knock out some words perhaps, but what about the final product, the impression you want to give? Of course, you could do it yourself, after all, you know your business better than anyone. But do you have the time, not just to get the words down, but to produce a well-written, grammatically correct piece that presents your message clearly and concisely with everything checked down to the very last punctuation detail? What we can do for you proofreading and/or copy-editing of your advertisements, flyers, website, or any written message that helps your business; don't forget, there's a mini glossary of edit types on the information page help with written content e.g., internal communications, advertising material, letters to clients and suppliers help with website creation and maintenance. Please contact us for an informal discussion on how we might be able to help with any or more of these suggestions. Our experience We are members of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading. We have a combined experience of over 40 years' experience working in motorsport, defence, academia, aviation, law, schools, and television; all sectors in which written communication is a key factor to success. We have constructed, edited, and maintained several small-business websites. Benefits we offer We can offer the fine-detail of proofreading, the close scrutiny that uncovers those gremlins of grammar and punctuation, spelling and spacing, indeed a check of every single character. We will check for consistency, that names and dates are correct, that headings, style, font sizes are as you want them throughout the entire document. We also offer a more in-depth edit that covers the bigger picture. We will make sure that your message is clearly written and easily understood and that the construction and wording suits your particular audience. First impressions make a difference, we all know that. The reputation of you and your business can hang on the words you use to communicate your ideas. You want customers, new and old, to think only the best of your endeavours. We can help you clean away all of those irksome mistakes that can so often give the wrong first impression. We promise an accurate and fast turnaround service. As members of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading we are bound by its established code of practice . If you would like to work with dedicated freelance editors who will take the time to understand your requirements, be sympathetic to the constraints of your busy work life, and offer you a comprehensive, reliable, and cost effective service, then please contact us today.