Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs just so you know…
Q: When is your next available time to edit?
A: My schedule is fairly flexible. Email me for a time slot.
Q: What kind of editing do you do?
A: I enjoy editing non-fiction and fiction. I edit all kinds of Christian fiction: Book-length, novellas, and short stories. I also edit most any non-fiction manuscript such as books, APA style manuscripts, web content, articles and so forth. (I do not edit erotica or graphic sex scenes, nor graphic rape, child abuse, nor works with foul language especially language that takes God’s name in vain.)
Q: What type of editing do you to?
1. Content critique –This includes an intense critique of story content. I will point out gaps, inconsistencies, story line dams, character development issues, sensory issues, dialogue, pacing, plot line issues, narrative issues, transitions, and possible solutions. I give you detailed comments on the issues I find in the Track Changes and bubble comments in Word. In my opinion this is the single most crucial difference between a ho-hum book and a really great work.
2. Medium Content and Line editing – For anyone self-publishing this is my most popular. I provide a light content critique with an analysis of characters, story line, dialogue, plot line and any narrative issues, and transitions written in bubble comments directly onto the manuscript. I will identify unclear sentences and paragraphs, correct awkward sentences and mismatched verbs and subjects. I will correct punctuation and grammar errors that I find. This does not include content edits. Included in this is help with American syntax for authors where English is their second language.
3. Sweep the Kitchen – Includes both types above, an in depth content analysis with character development, tweaking dialogue etc., line edits, and proofreading.
Q: How do I know you won’t change everything up and ruin my masterpiece?
A: I will make suggestions in bubble comments on the side of your work, so you can either incorporate the suggestion, or not, therefore the author’s voice is intact.
Q: What about proofreading?
A: I’ll correct punctuation and grammar issues, but I've found that my expertise is in helping you make your writing the best it can be, easily understood, and powerful.
Q: Should I have my work freelance edited before I send it to a traditional publishing outfit, or an agent?
A: No, that is not required. Any reputable agent and traditional publishing company will accept non-professionally edited manuscripts. Academic journals, magazines, and other types of publishing do not require freelance editing, either. However, to ensure all your hard work is appreciated by an agent, or other professional in the publishing industry, a professional editor can guide you toward making your work shine and stand tall above the average submission.
I do strongly advise you have your work edited before you self-publish. If you study book reviews of self-published works, you will see the most criticized issues are characterizations, story line problems, and dialogue for content issues, and grammar errors for line edit issues.
Q: Will you provide a preview of your editing?
A: Certainly. When you email me, send me 5 pages of your manuscript, and I’ll give you a sample of what you would receive with which ever type of editing you require. Keep in mind that 5 pages is not much of a preview, but it will give you the opportunity to see my work inside your work. Please note that I do not keep work that I have already edited. I delete those after a few days, so I won’t be able to send you another copy after I have completed your edits.
Q: How do I reserve a slot on your calendar?
A: I require 1/3 of the total as a down payment. I take PayPal or checks. You can make me an offer on Common Sense Marketing Strategies, LLC, which is completely safe and secure. When you email me, please provide the word count (at least a ball park figure), the genre, and the type of editing you require. The remaining 2/3 is due upon completion of the editing within 7 days. I will email you that I've completed the manuscript, and in that email I will send along 1/3 of the edits. When I’ve received the rest of your payment, I will email you the whole manuscript with all the edits.
For illustrations and artwork, the same applies.
Q: When is your next available time to edit?
A: My schedule is fairly flexible. Email me for a time slot.
Q: What kind of editing do you do?
A: I enjoy editing non-fiction and fiction. I edit all kinds of Christian fiction: Book-length, novellas, and short stories. I also edit most any non-fiction manuscript such as books, APA style manuscripts, web content, articles and so forth. (I do not edit erotica or graphic sex scenes, nor graphic rape, child abuse, nor works with foul language especially language that takes God’s name in vain.)
Q: What type of editing do you to?
1. Content critique –This includes an intense critique of story content. I will point out gaps, inconsistencies, story line dams, character development issues, sensory issues, dialogue, pacing, plot line issues, narrative issues, transitions, and possible solutions. I give you detailed comments on the issues I find in the Track Changes and bubble comments in Word. In my opinion this is the single most crucial difference between a ho-hum book and a really great work.
2. Medium Content and Line editing – For anyone self-publishing this is my most popular. I provide a light content critique with an analysis of characters, story line, dialogue, plot line and any narrative issues, and transitions written in bubble comments directly onto the manuscript. I will identify unclear sentences and paragraphs, correct awkward sentences and mismatched verbs and subjects. I will correct punctuation and grammar errors that I find. This does not include content edits. Included in this is help with American syntax for authors where English is their second language.
3. Sweep the Kitchen – Includes both types above, an in depth content analysis with character development, tweaking dialogue etc., line edits, and proofreading.
Q: How do I know you won’t change everything up and ruin my masterpiece?
A: I will make suggestions in bubble comments on the side of your work, so you can either incorporate the suggestion, or not, therefore the author’s voice is intact.
Q: What about proofreading?
A: I’ll correct punctuation and grammar issues, but I've found that my expertise is in helping you make your writing the best it can be, easily understood, and powerful.
Q: Should I have my work freelance edited before I send it to a traditional publishing outfit, or an agent?
A: No, that is not required. Any reputable agent and traditional publishing company will accept non-professionally edited manuscripts. Academic journals, magazines, and other types of publishing do not require freelance editing, either. However, to ensure all your hard work is appreciated by an agent, or other professional in the publishing industry, a professional editor can guide you toward making your work shine and stand tall above the average submission.
I do strongly advise you have your work edited before you self-publish. If you study book reviews of self-published works, you will see the most criticized issues are characterizations, story line problems, and dialogue for content issues, and grammar errors for line edit issues.
Q: Will you provide a preview of your editing?
A: Certainly. When you email me, send me 5 pages of your manuscript, and I’ll give you a sample of what you would receive with which ever type of editing you require. Keep in mind that 5 pages is not much of a preview, but it will give you the opportunity to see my work inside your work. Please note that I do not keep work that I have already edited. I delete those after a few days, so I won’t be able to send you another copy after I have completed your edits.
Q: How do I reserve a slot on your calendar?
A: I require 1/3 of the total as a down payment. I take PayPal or checks. You can make me an offer on Common Sense Marketing Strategies, LLC, which is completely safe and secure. When you email me, please provide the word count (at least a ball park figure), the genre, and the type of editing you require. The remaining 2/3 is due upon completion of the editing within 7 days. I will email you that I've completed the manuscript, and in that email I will send along 1/3 of the edits. When I’ve received the rest of your payment, I will email you the whole manuscript with all the edits.
For illustrations and artwork, the same applies.
