Services

I work in US English and follow the Chicago Manual of Style. I work in Microsoft Word and expect you to as well, once you start the editing process (most of my clients do write in other programs until editing starts). After we have discussed your project, I will ask you to send me your entire work (manuscript or shorter work) so that I can see it all; I will then give you a project price and timetable with information about what you can expect to receive with your final, edited work. The rate ranges included in the descriptions below allow you to see if I fit your budget.

For line edits and copyedits, I will do a sample edit of 3-5 pages. Before beginning: if you are not sure which level of editing you need, please contact me or complete this Google form. If no one but you has looked at your complete manuscript, I strongly suggest a Manuscript Evaluation.

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MS Evaluations

If your budget does not allow for a Developmental Edit or if you have never worked with an editor before, I recommend a beta read or Manuscript Evaluation. For beta reads, I will read through your MS and return it with a letter of what you can do to make your work stronger.

For MS evaluations, I will make comments in your manuscript and provide a report. MS evaluations range in price from $0.015-$0.030 per word.

Read here for more about beta reads vs critiques vs developmental edits.

Developmental Editing

I will read through your manuscript and make comments in track changes. I will then write you a detailed report (even more detailed than for the MS evaluation) that includes details to help you make your book even better. Prices range from $0.023-$0.040 per word. Read my page that details more about this step of editing here.

Line Editing and Copyediting

Line Editing (genre fiction and narrative nonfiction): Line editing should come after a manuscript evaluation or developmental edit. Line editing works at the sentence and paragraph level, where I will make suggestions for rewording, rewriting, or reorganizing sentences or short sections of your book (I use the comments feature in Word and have Track Changes on). Even though I am making suggestions to wording, I still try to maintain your voice and am open to some discussions about my suggestions. I also make copyedits while doing line edits, so while your book will need at least one more pass for copyediting, that stage should go faster.

Copyediting (genre fiction and nonfiction): I will go through your MS with track changes on, and I will make corrections or suggestions for clarity, grammar, and punctuation while maintaining and respecting your voice. When I return your MS, I will include a style sheet that I created during the copyedit to go with your MS. I use Chicago Manual of Style and Merriam-Webster's Dictionary.

Prices range from $0.015-$0.030 per word.

If you are on a budget or if you have never worked with a professional copyeditor before, I offer an edit of 10,000 words for $250, which is a kind of combined line and copy edit with extra explanations for why I'm making some changes. This will allow you to get a good idea/feel for what it's like to be edited. It would also allow you to continue on your own using my edits as a guide.

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This is you, working toward your best book. Taking your writing to its peak.

Story Bibles

Story Bibles (Continuity Catchers): If you would like help developing a Story Bible to keep track of details, please contact me.

Short Works

For short works (such as flash fiction), I charge a minimum of $75. You can submit multiple works together for a bundled price, which would be more cost effective.

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