Relax... don't worry... What I'll do for you...
Affordable editing
Suggestions for changes in your manuscript
Your writer's voice is maintained
Usually a quick turn around
Communication lines open for discussion of suggested changes
I provide affordable editing for authors of fiction and non-fiction. Compare my pricing with the Editorial Freelancers Assoc. rate at http://the-efa.org/res/rates.php or at Writer's Digest. Just remember, you are actually investing in a practical way to improve your writing skills.
I will make all my suggestions in your manuscript. You won't have to hunt to find where or what I am talking about in my critiques and editing. Then you decide whether to incorporate the suggestions or not.
I do edits in one round. I just do not have the time to re-edit manuscripts. However, I will discuss with you in email or Skype concerning suggestions that you might question. I've discovered this is especially helpful for authors who have English as their second language. Therefore, prompt response to emails helps to move the process along.
1. Fiction content critique - $0.008 per word ($400 for 50,000 words and so on).
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 will point out the issues I find in the Track Changes and Comments features in Word. In my opinion content is the single most crucial difference between a ho-hum book and a really great work.
2. Line editing – $.011 per word ($550 for 50,000 words)*.
This is the type of editing that all writers need. For both fiction and non-fiction, I identify unclear sentences and paragraphs, correct awkward sentences and mismatched verbs/subjects and nouns/pronouns. For fiction, I will also make suggestions in dialogue to agree with character development and action. (Your characters shouldn't have the same syntax or the same colloquialisms, I'll make sure your characters do not blend together.) I will correct grammar and punctuation that I find, but proofreading is not my main focus.
3. Content critique & line editing blend - $.014 per word ($700 for 50,000 words)*.
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, again proofreading is not the main focus. Included in this is help with American syntax for authors where English is their second language.
4. Sweep the Kitchen – $.019 per word ($950 for 50,000 words)*.
In-depth content analysis with character development, tweaking dialogue with suggestions for fixing what's wrong, narrative issues, and transitions, plus line edits. For non-fiction, this includes the content analysis, suggestions for streamlining, removal of redundancies, and clarity critique (as in making sure what you write is what you mean, and that it comes across clearly). As my schedule permits, I am available to discuss my suggestions, and how to make them work. I prefer these discussions though email, so there are no misunderstandings, although we could Skype, too.
5. Academic papers and non-fiction - I enjoy reading and editing non-fiction. There are aspects of this kind of writing that do not have to be dry regurgitation of facts. I can help with that. It is a matter of word choices, and I am a wordsmith.
In fiction, I do not do homosexual erotica, graphic sex scenes, or graphic child abuse scenes. Those subjects are not off limits in non-fiction editing jobs, but need to be handled with care and taste.
* Please note, for authors with English as their second language, I may have to charge by the hour, there will be considerably more communication required so that I completely understand what is meant. Once I get a good feel for the author's syntax, then I'll better understand the work and can make sure the manuscript is clear and concise.
Billing
Here is how the billing works for new clients. (My current clients will keep their current agreements.) I require a third of the total billing (PayPal or by check) at the time I schedule your manuscript for editing, and will let you know approximately how long before you have the finished product. Once I have finished the manuscript, I will notify you by email, and will include 1/3 of the edits in that email. When you have provided me with your remaining two thirds payment by PayPal or check, I will send you your full manuscript with all the edits and critique. Please note, I do not save edited manuscripts. After a week or so, I delete them unless you require differently.
