Services
You’ve read your manuscript countless times, revising, tweaking, and rewriting until you’re bleary-eyed. You consider it your “baby”—your magnum opus—and think it’s perfect just the way it is. Or maybe you’re at the point where you can no longer see the forest through the trees
because you’re too close to the work to be truly
objective. Once you’ve read anything numerous
times, you can no longer see spelling or
grammatical errors and inconsistencies with the
plot, character development, and timeline. At this
point you’ve hit the wall, so to speak, and are no
longer able to come up with ways to improve the
work. But that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. In fact, in
“It’s almost as if familiarity gives you a kind of temporary blindness.”
---The Library Book by Susan Orlean
writing or any art form, there is no such thing as perfection. Once you’ve hit that wall, it’s time to call a professional; it’s time to hire an editor.
In the movies, authors and editors are sometimes portrayed as adversaries. But in reality, authors and editors go hand in hand. No matter what you’re writing, if you plan to have it published, utilizing the services of an experienced editor is one of the smartest moves you can make to ensure the success of your work.
Editorial Services Offered
I specialize in developmental editing, copy editing, and proofreading fiction and nonfiction books for adults and children, and I’m proficient in the Chicago Manual of Style, the preferred style guide for US book publishing. The type of editing you need depends on the stage you’re at in the process. If you’re unsure, don’t worry. The descriptions below will help you sort it out. And once I review a sample of your manuscript, I’ll have a better idea of what you need. Just remember that manuscripts need multiple levels of editing, and although these levels can sometimes be combined, they should never be skipped.
Please note that although I do not provide research or fact-checking services, I am knowledgeable in many subject areas. That said, I will point out anything that I believe to be incorrect or misleading and will offer suggestions for clarifying and/or verifying the information. If you are in need of a full-service fact-checker, I can provide some names of exceptional fact-checkers I have worked with in the past. Note that fact-checking should be completed before editing begins.
Whether you hire me as a developmental editor, copy editor, or proofreader, along with your marked-up manuscript, I will include an editorial report summarizing my comments, including any recurring errors and major issues that I encountered.
A Note on Rates
Every project is as unique as its writer. That said, I will help you figure out what type of editorial services your manuscript needs. After we’ve discussed the parameters of your project, I will perform a free sample edit and provide a written quote.
I typically charge by the word, but if you would prefer, I can calculate an hourly or a per-page rate. In some circumstances, a flat rate can be provided instead. Regardless of the method used, my rates fall within those recommended by the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA). Please note that industry standards define a manuscript page as 250 words, in Times New Roman font, double-spaced with one-inch margins all around.
Legal Matters
After we’ve discussed your needs and the parameters of your project and agreed upon a rate/fee and schedule,
I will send you a letter of agreement to put these details in writing.
Learn the types of books I work on and more in Frequently Asked Questions. If you’re ready to get started, contact me to tell me more about your project and send me a sample to review.