You may ask: “Who are you to write such an article?” It’s true that I have never used any English editing service myself. My background (including my education and publication records) can be easily checked out if you google my full name.  In short, I am writing this article as an English editor (freelancer).  I intend to offer unbiased views, and welcome your comments in Chinese or English (email: zuojun@zuojunyu.com).

 

I started my own editing company more than two years ago.  Naturally, I pay close attention to what is out there in order to stay competitive.  When a journal editor mentioned Liwenbianji (理文编辑; http://www.liwenbianji.cn/home), I immediately checked it out.  I was quite impressed: What Liweibianji offers is exactly what I wanted to or wish to offer!  (However, I am a freelancer, and I am happy doing what I have been doing: one client at a time, expanding my business through word of mouth.)

 

What is so impressive about Liwenbianji (理文编辑)?  It uses established scientists in various fields (including meteorology and oceanography; so there is a bit of competition with my own business).  It lists each editor’s background in both English and Chinese.  I strongly recommend you to use its service, if you can identify an editor in your field. 

 

To be fair to my other competitors in the editing business, you should also google search “scientific editing,” and you will find more than one million links out there.  For “English editing,” you get 45 times that!  All you need to do is to check out the links on the first two pages, and you will find a few professional companies.  Which one to use? I suggest that you follow these steps:

 

1) Does the company list its editors with their background information (education and other track records)?

 

2) What is the cost?

 

3) Does the company accept payment in RMB (if you have difficulty getting USD)?

 

A friend brought to my attention a company that mainly serves Chinese, called PaperTalks.org (http://papertalks.org/p/e/Default.aspx).  It uses oversea Chinese as its editors (and clients). Each manuscript is edited first by the “International Scientist and Expert Team,” and then copy-edited by the “U.S. Professional Editor Team.”  I suspect PaperTalks will have more clients than Liwenbianji, because its Chinese editors can reach out to their classmates and colleagues in China through word of mouth.  The weakness is some of its Chinese editors are not yet well established in their fields (since some of them are still students or post docs).

 

In the mean time, take advantage of what these companies offer for free.  Go to their websites and learn as much as you can!