Services

Manuscript Evaluation

MANUSCRIPT EVALUATION is an optional first step, often utilized while completing your manuscript.

The evaluation process takes place on a self-edited first draft copy of your writing, and results in a multi-page written report. It’s a “big picture” review encompassing flow, structure, plot development, character development, tone, style, gaps, and repetitiveness… and ultimately answers the question, “have you delivered the message you set out to deliver?”

Manuscript evaluation “may” take the place of a developmental edit but should always be followed by a line and/or copyedit. Manuscript evaluation can take place on incomplete manuscripts and may be beneficial to help streamline the story and hone in on initial problems.

Line Editing

LINE EDITING is typically the second edit, following your development editing. Granted, some authors are confident in their plot and character arcs and bypass developmental editing, and that’s okay!

A line edit is similar to a copyedit although it’s more in-depth and focuses on writing style. The Editorial Freelance Association (EFA) defines line editing as working “…at the sentence and paragraph level of a project. Like copyeditors, line editors will correct errors, but their main focus is on improving the language and style of the text.”

We’re thrilled to line edit OR copyedit for you, but we’re more excited to offer a COMBINATION Line and Copyedit bundle so you’ll cover all the areas of concern without shopping around. We understand the assignment!

Copyediting

COPYEDITING occurs after you (and your developmental editor) have completed the story itself. You may also have had a line edit completed prior to copyediting. (See Line Editing section)

During the copyediting process we’ll be making suggestions to sentence structure, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Unless you’ve already created one, I’ll create a style guide to keep track of your characters, locations, dates, specific spellings and acronyms. Copyediting doesn’t include huge changes to your writing since you’d have already covered that with your developmental and/or line editor. This is the polishing stage where we tweak things that may impact the readability while maintaining the writer’s tone and style.

We follow the Chicago Manual of Style, but amend as requested by the writer.

Formatting

FORMATTING is where you’ll really start to see the book you’ve written take shape, beyond the words on the page. Professional layout, titles, page numbering, proper margins, bleeds, and stylistic fonts all are part of formatting and something I just love doing for my clients! It’s exciting to see a simple double-spaced word document become an actual book, and whether your plans are to publish as an ebook, hard/soft cover or both, we’ll provide you with interior formatting in the document version you need—ready to upload and go!

Combine formatting with editing or proofreading for additional savings!

Proofreading

PROOFREADING is the final step in the overall editing process. As your trained extra set of eyes, I’ll be focusing on finding those last few errors in spelling, capitalization, hyphenation, comma use, titles, page numbering, fonts and spacing. Proofreading is most effectively done on work that is already formatted and print-ready, meaning we’ll see exactly what the reader will see, and are then able to identifiy problems with kerning and stacking.

I’m thrilled to help with all kinds of proofreading, including manuscripts, essays, business documents and proposals, websites, and marketing materials.

We follow the Chicago Manual of Style, but amend as requested by the writer.

Fees & How We Work

  • An often used approach to evaluate flow, pacing, style, story gaps, message delivery and other goals of the manuscript. We complete one full read of your manuscript and provide a multi-page written report. Does NOT replace any additional editing as this is at the highest level and does not touch on grammar, punctuation, word use, and other aspects of copyediting or proofreading.

    $10 per 1000 words, minimum of $200, with cap at $650 for up to 90,000 words.

  • This bundle provides you with both LINE editing and COPYediting as a single service. As our initial read through will focus on line editing, i.e. paragraph flow and a drill down into sentence-by-sentence, we will perform THREE full rounds of editing. Following the line editing round, we’ll complete two additional rounds to copyedit. See each service individually for specific details.

    This service will result in a manuscript 100% ready for formatting!

    $0.025 per word, to a maximum $2500 for up to 90,000 words.

    As always, a free 1000 sample edit can be provided.

  • Free sample edit, 1,000 words, no obligation

    Two full rounds of editing, plus mini passes as required. 

    Edit suggestions made via tracked changes (typically Microsoft Word) 

    Followup and explanation/summary of feedback as required  

    In most cases, a 50% deposit will be required prior to starting the project, with the balance due upon completion (before final project is emailed back).

    .02 per word to a $1500 cap if less than 90,000 words.

  • Free sample edit, 1,000 words, no obligation

    Custom Style Guide

    Two full rounds of editing, plus mini passes as required.

    Edit suggestions made via tracked changes (typically Microsoft Word)

    Followup and explanation of feedback as required

    In most cases, a 50% deposit will be required prior to starting the project, with the balance due upon completion (before final project is emailed back).

    .018 per word to a $1200 cap if less than 90,000 words

  • Free sample edit, 1,000 words, no obligation

    Custom Style Guide

    Two full rounds of proofreading plus mini passes as required.

    Edit suggestions made via tracked changes (typically Microsoft Word)

    Followup and explanation of feedback as required

    In most cases, a 50% deposit will be required prior to starting the project, with the balance due upon completion (before final project is emailed back).

    .009 per word

    • Note - if we have also done the copyedit, then proofreading is .006 USD per word.

  • Let us create a gorgeous book interior, in e-book, paper copy or both! Formatting should occur after editing but before proofreading, and can be combined with ALL of our editing services for additional savings.

    Format as stand alone service - $200 flat fee for up to 90,000 words.

    Bundle with any editing or proofreading for $125 flat fee up to 90,000 words.

  • As noted elsewhere in my website, I’m a dual US/Canadian. I’ve recently relocated to Canada to assist family. This move necessitates banking changes, among other things. Prices noted here are USD but will be invoiced at the applicable Canadian rate. We’ll allow the banks to work out the rest, but be assured, the bottom line to you, my client, will remain the same.

Free Sample Edit

I offer a free 1,000 word sample edit so that you’re confident I’m the right fit for your work! Let’s connect to get started!