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Portrait of Margie Tubbs

You write to communicate to the hearts and minds of others what’s burning inside you.
And we edit to let the fire show through the smoke.

Arthur Plotnik, author and columnist

About Margie

Margie Tubbs is a freelance editor with postgraduate editing qualifications and a wealth of experience in editing novels, life writing, non-fiction, academic theses and business documents.

Margie is a ‘people person’ with a passion for reading, writing and editing. She works closely with clients to ensure that their written work conveys a professional image and a clear message for readers.

She embarked on an editing career twenty years ago, after extensive experience in education and librarianship. A staunch advocate of ‘plain English’, Margie enjoys helping clients communicate clearly and get their intended message across.

Her aim is to ensure client satisfaction by delivering high-quality work, on time and within budget.

Margie holds a Bachelor of Education (University of Sydney) with a postgraduate Diploma in Book Editing and Publishing (Macleay College).

A member of The Institute of Professional Editors, Margie keeps her editing skills up-to-date by regularly attending workshops and seminars.

Margie Tubbs Editing Services provides a high-quality, professional editing service for authors, business writers and students.

Features include:

  • prompt, cost-efficient and quality service
  • copyediting and proofreading of non-fiction and fiction for self-publication or submission to publishers
  • proofreading of academic works for assessment or publication
  • plain English editing and copywriting for business and technical documents
  • online and hard copy editing
  • style guide development to ensure consistency and quality control

For the past two decades, this business has provided editing services to publishing houses, businesses and postgraduate students throughout Australia.

Using the services of a professional editor will help you to:

  • structure documents in a logical manner
  • choose the most appropriate style and language for your reader
  • use correct grammar, punctuation and spelling
  • clarify your message by removing ambiguity and tautology
  • enhance your writing, making it more appealing to an agent or publisher

Editing is simply the application of the common sense of any good reader.
That’s why, to be an editor you have to be a reader. It’s the number one qualification.

Robert Gottlieb, writer and editor of The New Yorker

Services

With most documents, this is the first stage of editing. Its aim is to ensure that the structure, content, language and style of the document are effective and appropriate. Substantive editing involves:

  • repositioning paragraphs or sections, to create a logical flow
  • creating a style sheet, to ensure consistency and quality control
  • identifying problems with grammar and punctuation
  • eliminating unnecessary use of technical words or jargon
  • identifying inconsistencies in spelling, hyphenation and capitalisation
  • inserting comments to encourage client feedback
  • creating or updating a list of contents

This is the second stage of the editing process and takes place after the client has responded to the substantive edit. Using the client-specific style sheet, this stage involves:

  • incorporating author’s responses to comments and suggestions from the editor
  • applying a consistent style with regard to font, headings etc
  • checking consistency regarding facts and presentation
  • correcting spelling, grammar and punctuation
  • highlighting potential copyright or legal issues

All changes to the document are tracked and clients are provided with two versions of their manuscript: the first shows all changes tracked and the second shows changes accepted. Both versions include comments for the consideration of the author.

This is the final stage before publication and involves checking typeset copy word-for-word against the manuscript and style sheet. It provides a final opportunity to check:

  • introductory pages, including table of contents
  • headings and subheadings for consistency and style
  • cross references
  • numbering of tables, figures and boxes
  • visual consistency and general layout and … of course …
  • one more check of spelling, grammar and punctuation

Institute of Professional Editors (IPEd)
Macquarie Dictionary Online
Australian Government Style Manual
Australian Standards for Editing Practice (IPEd)
Guidelines for Editing Research Theses (IPEd)

Pricing

Pricing is based on the total word count and a sample of your document. You will receive a written quote, clarifying the cost and timing of the job.

A deposit by direct transfer is required before the edit commences, with balance to be paid within 7 days of job completion. A tax receipt will be provided after payment in full.

Please email Margie Tubbs Editing Services or phone Margie on 0414 695 893 to discuss your project.

Authors!

Let me help make your manuscript submission more appealing to an agent or publisher.

Business Writers!

Let me help ensure your reports and technical documents are clear and free from embarrassing errors.

Post Graduates!

Let me help you with the finishing touches to your thesis, to ensure readability, clarity and consistency.

All the words I use in my stories can be found in the dictionary.
It’s just a matter of arranging them into the right sentences.

W Somerset Maugham, novelist and short story writer

Testimonials

word-wizard skills

Margie Tubbs has edited two of my books, giving me terrific insights and perspectives that greatly improved my work. My latest book ‘Prodigal Pilgrim’ was all over the shop until Margie applied her word-wizard skills. Most importantly, Margie worked quickly and efficiently. I would not contemplate publishing a book before engaging her editing skills.
Peter Breen
author of Prodigal Pilgrim

over twenty books …

Since 2010, Margie has edited over twenty books for Hay House Australia. She is a very important part of our editorial team and we have the highest regard for her and her work.
Leon Nacson
Managing Director, Hay House Australi

absolute delight …

Margie is an absolute delight to work with; her ability to connect, articulate and translate allowed my book to reach my audience more quickly than scheduled.
Matteo Charles
artist and author of My Disease, My Teacher

people who do what they say…

I always like to work with people who do what they say they will do, when they say they will do it! Margie is one of those.
Marcia Griffin
author of Finding New Meaning in Life

a goddess among editors

As Stephen King says: ‘The editor is God when you reach your final draft.’ Margie, you are a goddess among editors. And even though you make a writer eat their young (if necessary), you do it in the most delightful manner! The improvement to my manuscript was obvious in the end and I could never offer enough praise for your editing ethos.
Robert Zammit
veterinarian and author of Bless Me, Father

I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.

Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Contact Margie

Margie Tubbs Editing Services

Location:

Blue Mountains NSW

Phone:

0414 695 893

ABN:

53 481 819 540

MTNS MADE

So the writer who breeds more words than he needs,
is making a chore for the reader who reads!

Dr Seuss, author and illustrator