What I Do

I offer two review levels. For both options, I work with digital files only. I use Word’s tracking feature so you can see all of the adjustments made in your document, and can choose to accept or reject them to suit your preference and personal style. I follow the general guidelines of the Chicago Manual of Style.

 

Proofreading: Spelling, usage, and punctuation only. For authors who are happy with their material and do not wish to entertain suggestions for further revisions or rewriting. Just the basics. One document pass.

 

Editing: A more detailed review to address basic errors and flag issues for your attention. The review consists of multiple document passes to address:

• spelling and usage (is it: Peak, peek, or pique? Their, there, or they’re? Discreet or discrete? Foreword or forward? Then or than? Your or you’re? Its or it’s? Lay, lie, or laid?)

• punctuation

• tense and POV shifts

• subject-verb agreement issues

• basic grammar and sentence structure

• consistency issues (names, character features, character mannerisms, character speech patterns, setting elements, capitalization, spelling, hyphenation, contractions, number styling, etc.)

• logic lapses

• sequence gaps 

• repeated material

• vague material

• omissions

• basic style mechanics

• plus a checklist of items regarding plot, flow, order of events, overuse of gerunds and adverbs, active/passive voice, overall structure, dialogue, complex vs. direct word usage, incorporating research elements, and story beginning/ending elements, among others.

 

The document is returned to you with edits in place, along with notes and comments to assist with your revisions and final touches.

 

Additional reviews are recommended after an author has made extensive revisions, for ESL/non-native speakers (in consideration of their unique cultural verbiage), and for academic/technical texts. Additional reviews (full document or new revisions only) are offered at a discounted rate, which is determined by the level of work required.

 

What I Don’t Do

I do not offer developmental editing, ghostwriting, or fact-checking. Foreign words, scientific/industry-specific terminology, biblical citations, song lyrics, and quotes from other parties are not edited. It is imperative that these items stay in their original form, and it is the author’s responsibility to ensure their accuracy as part of the author’s expertise on the subject.

 

Turnaround Time

Each project presents a different set of variables (the number of issues that need to be addressed, the nature of those issues, the length of the piece, its level of development, technical level, etc.), and these variables determine how long a project will take. The editing process is incremental in nature and is not something that can be rushed. Unlike reading a book purely for enjoyment, there are many stops and starts for corrections, revisions, and notes. There are myriad details to address, and numerous checks and balances required in order for the process to be done thoroughly. Because manuscripts often present different issues in different areas, I will be happy to give you an estimated completion time based on your unique project, and updates as the project progresses.

 

Once the File is Returned to You...

Please be prepared to spend the necessary time to thoroughly review my edits, notes, and make your revisions, or make a revision list for me to implement for you. Please do not expect that I will rewrite material marked for revision work on your behalf so that you can circumvent this step. Remember, it’s your book and your participation in all aspects of its development is essential.

 

Need a Little Help?

The basic production process can be customized to accommodate any special needs an author may have. Authors who might have difficulty placing revisions, difficulty working with Word documents, or who don’t have computers can make a revision list for me, which I will be happy to implement for you (an hourly fee applies).

 

Common Misconceptions

One of the most frequent misconceptions authors have is that they can submit a document to an editor, and voilà! A thoroughly edited bestseller will be returned to them within a couple of days. Authors need to keep their expectations realistic. An editor does not create a bestseller—the author has to write one. An editor works with the material the author provides, makes basic corrections, and makes suggestions for further improvement. Results are dependent upon the level of development of the material submitted, and the subsequent efforts of the author in addressing recommendations for revisions. There are no magic fixes or formulas to guarantee a book’s success. Editing will not ensure publication, sales, agent/publisher interest, favorable reviews, or interest from the film industry.

 

Have Fun and Don’t Rush!

I know you’re excited, and you should be! It took a lot of time and dedication to write your book, and it takes time to go through the many stages of editing and revision work as well. Be prepared to make this time investment in these final stages of your book’s production—you’ll be happier with the result if you do. If you schedule book signings, release parties, or commit to a completion time with a publisher to release your work before it is ready, you will likely create unnecessary frustration and expenses for yourself. Working on your book should be fun and exciting—something to celebrate! So, be sure to give yourself (and your editor) the time needed to bring you closer to your goal of publication.  

 

Fees will vary with the services requested, genre, the complexity of the text, its level of development, and the level of design desired for formatting and design work. Fees average $2 - $4 per industry-standard manuscript page; $65/hour for hourly work. An estimate will be provided with fees customized to your specific project and needs. I accept all genres except pornography. I may decline a project if it contains excessive or gratuitous violence and/or profanity.

 

An industry-standard manuscript page is defined as: 8.5 x 11 page size, 1" margins, .5" indent, 12 pt. fixed-width font, double-spaced text, and no white space between paragraphs.