BYU Faculty Editing Service
Director, Mel Thorne, PhD
4092 KMB * 422-1719 * mel_thorne@byu.edu
Services
The faculty editing service edits manuscripts to help improve the chances that they will be accepted for publication. We focus on removing mechanical problems that might prevent a journal or book editor from understanding and evaluating the content of the manuscript.
Manuscripts receive a light edit:
The Humanities Publication Center, which administers the faculty editing service, exists primarily as a student lab. Student interns will edit your manuscript so that they can improve their editing skills. An experienced editor will polish the students' editing and make additional suggestions for you to consider in revising your manuscript. The students receive mentoring and feedback on their work from that editor--thus, the students learn while you receive professional service of the highest quality.
Fees
We charge a fee of $25 per hour to cover the time spent by the service's managing editor in reviewing and polishing the students' work; because students provide suggestions, the managing editor can review the manuscript more quickly, and we can charge you less. You can estimate the fee based on an editing speed of approximately 5 to 10 pages edited per hour. The fee is less than the fees typically charged by freelance editors in this region for comparable services.
[Note: Departments will often pay the costs of getting faculty work edited.]
Process
Mail or e-mail your manuscript to Mel Thorne, director of the Humanities Publication Center, or call for an appointment to bring it personally to his office. After we review your manuscript, we will give you an estimate of the time required. We will make every effort to meet any deadlines you have, but because our focus is on training students, the turn-around time will likely be slightly longer than it would be if you were paying an outside firm. Please plan some extra time into your schedule for our review.
Comments from People
Who Have Used the Faculty Editing Services
"It is impossible for me to see my own errors. I need somebody else to look through my manuscript for me. The Faculty Editing Service is first rate." -Doug Thayer, Professor, English Department
"I appreciate the help of the Faculty Editing Service. Their editing has made my writing more competitive in leading forums and has helped me continually improve my writing." -Larry L. Howell, Chair, Department of Mechanical Engineering
"I found your service to be very professional, thorough, precise, helpful, gracious, and timely. I could not survive without you!" -Cinzia Noble, Associate Chair, Department of French and Italian
"I have found that the Faculty Editing Service has always been able to substantially improve the grammar and flow of my papers. Be sure to plan them into your publication process so you can give them enough time to do a good job and so you will have time to integrate their recommendations." -Paul Benjamin Lowry, Assistant Professor, School of Accountancy and Information Systems
"If you are one of those rare individuals who has inherited the ability to copyedit your own work flawlessly, you do not need the Faculty Editing Service. However, for the other 99.99% of adults who lack this skill, the Faculty Editing Service is your only hope of producing clean, effective written communication. I use them and my work has never been better." -Steven G. Aldana, Professor, Physical Education
"The Faculty Editing Service was a wonderful resource that helped us clean up 31 chapters of our personal finance project to get it ready for publication. The staff provided thoughtful assistance and encouragement, which helped immensely--especially considering my strengths do not include clear writing." -Bryan Sudweeks, Associate Professor, Business Management
"Nothing has enhanced my scholarly productivity, both qualitatively and quantitatively, as my discovery and use of the Faculty Editing Service. I have worked with them on a variety of projects and have always benefited from their assistance. They work promptly and meticulously, polishing for both form and grammar. Additionally, they provide valuable substantive suggestions, which have improved the overall content of my work. The Faculty Editing Service is an excellent resource to use when preparing articles for publication. I wholeheartedly recommend their services." -David L. Paulsen, Professor, Philosophy Department
"I have used the Faculty Editing Service several times a year over the last four years. This service has been very helpful in getting my papers ready for submission. They provide very helpful editing. They fine-tune the document in terms of grammar, usage, parsimony, and consistency. After going through this process, my papers are noticeably more polished. Consequently I try to use them on every paper that I submit. I really appreciate their excellent staff. They do a great job. (Keep up the great work! Also thanks to our Dean's office which pays in advance so that the Marriott School faculty can easily use your service.)" -Douglas L. Dean, Associate Professor, School of Accountancy and Information Systems