The number one complaint from readers of self-published books is the lack of professional editing.
As an avid reader, I’ve seen and experienced this time and again. It’s heartbreaking when I know how much time and effort went into the writing. Let’s correct it the first time.
Edit can mean many things. Here is a good explanation:
“Editing involves carefully reviewing material before it is published and suggesting or making changes to correct or improve it. The goal of editing is to ensure that the material is consistent and correct and that its content, language, style, and design suit its purpose and meet the needs of its audience.
The editor is an intermediary who must skilfully and tactfully balance the interests of those who have commissioned the work and developed the material and, ultimately, the intended audience(s). The editor is also part of a team that guides a work through its various stages from creation to publication and must be familiar with, and respectful of, the contributions of others. The editor must collaborate effectively with all team members.”
~Professional Editorial Standards of the Editors’ Association of Canada
“My job is to lay my hands on that piece of writing and make it…better. Cleaner. Clearer. More efficient. Not to rewrite it…but to burnish and polish it and make it the best possible version of itself that it can be.”
~Dryer’s English, Benjamin Dreyer, Random House
The goal is not only to publish quality work, but also to make the author a better writer. It’s not all about typos, but demands a knowledge of a wide range of facts and life experiences as well as the ability to research.
I offer three basic types of editing, although in most projects these overlap:
- Substantive (Structural, Developmental) Editing — organizing and clarifying content to make the most sense for readers; correcting inconsistencies with dialog, character development, and environment; fact-checking; some rewriting, condensing or expanding without changing the meaning [Usual fee: $0.015 per word]
- Line Editing — inspecting and correcting grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and usage [Usual fee: $0.010 per word]
- Proofreading — final editing before publication; correcting minor errors; checking citations, page numbers, table of contents, page breaks, and running heads [Usual fee: $0.005 per word]
Hourly Work
For hourly editing, I invoice to the nearest quarter-hour. My standard rate for copyediting and proofreading is $45 per hour, with a minimum of one hour for new clients. After-hours and rush work accrues an extra fee.
How does it work?
- You will fill out a simple survey to tell me about your project.
- I will do a sample edit of five pages of your manuscript in Word, using the Track Changes feature so you can see how I work and whether we are compatible.
- I will send you a quote for the project with the scope of the work included.
- If you agree to the quote, I will send you my Terms of Service and an invoice for the first half of the project fee.
- I will keep you informed of my progress and we will communicate throughout the project. We will agree on milestones to discuss the progress and keep on track.
- You will receive the edited manuscript as a Word document.
- You will accept or reject the changed I’ve suggested.
- I will perform one revision based on your requirements.
- I will send you the invoice for the second half of the project fee.
- I will send you the completed manuscript, ready to publish!
Genres: I am fairly well read and open to most genres of fiction and nonfiction, but I do not work on erotica or horror manuscripts.
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