Services

Manuscript Assessments/Critiques

Is your manuscript ready for the next step? In a manuscript critique, I will read your entire manuscript and provide feedback in the form of a letter. You will receive a 5-10 page single-spaced letter detailing where the story shines and where it falls flat. In the critique, I will address larger issues like plot, characterization, and story arc. The critique offers much of the same advice as a developmental edit but on a macro level. In addition, I will offer advice for the appropriate next steps for your manuscript, and I will provide my professional opinion on the overall viability of your manuscript. Manuscript critiques are $800 for up to 100k words.

Developmental Editing

This is the big picture stuff. Developmental editing typically takes several drafts and many months to complete. This is where we nail down things like narrative voice, point of view, structure, character arcs, major plot holes, tension, and climax. You will receive an editorial letter detailing all of these issues and more, in addition to markup and comments on your manuscript file. Developmental editing starts at 2 cents per word.

Line Editing

I consider line editing to be the heart of editing. It is concerned with both grammar and style. During line editing, I will work directly with your document, making changes and suggestions on the file itself. I will edit for grammar, clarity, word choice, consistency, tone, and syntax. I will ensure your dialogue sounds natural and not stilted. I will pay attention to pacing, plot consistency, point of view, psychic distance, and character arcs and may make notes on them; however, in line editing, these are not addressed at the macro level. Because of the magnitude of line editing, it is important that you contact me for a sample edit first. This is the level of editing which has the most potential to affect an author’s voice, and the last thing you want is an editor who cannot hear yours. I accept line editing projects on a submission basis. In other words, I may reject your manuscript if I feel that it is not ready for line editing, or if I feel that our styles would not mesh. Line editing starts at 1.5 cents per word.

Copyediting

Copyediting should be your final step of editing before a proofreader. I have had many clients approach me thinking they were looking for copy editing when they really weren’t. Copyediting includes checking grammar, spelling, and punctuation, with minimal attention to any larger issues. It does not include any sort of rewording sentences for style or flow. Copyediting starts at 1 cent per word.

Proofreading

Proofreading is meant to be a final check, after your manuscript has been thoroughly edited, to catch the lingering typos and errors. You will find editors speaking about proofreading in two different ways: before and after layout and typesetting. Either is fine, as long as we establish up front which it will be. Proofreading starts at 1/2 cent per word.

Beta Reading

I offer beta reading as a professional service because, while you can get free beta readers, it’s difficult to find dependable ones. In my experience, beta readers are often inconsistent with their response times, if they respond at all. The ones who are great often have a TBR list that’s quite long. Professional beta reading guarantees a timely and thorough response by allowing me to provide space in my schedule that would otherwise be dedicated to editing. With beta reading, I provide you feedback on your manuscript from a reader’s perspetive. You will receive a 2-4 page feedback report, detailing major areas like characters, plot, likes/dislikes, and a chapter breakdown. You can also provide a few specific questions you’d like feedback on. Unlike manuscript critiques, beta reading does NOT go into depth with advice on how to fix anything. Beta reading is $300 for up to 100k words. I do not offer beta reading for longer manuscripts.

Pricing

The first step of pricing is working with a sample of your manuscript, typically 1000 words. You will receive an individualized quote after we have had a conversation about your editing needs and after I work with your sample.

With that being said, my rates usually fall within these ranges (all prices are in USD):

Developmental Editing: $0.02-0.08/word
Line Editing: $0.015-0.04/word
Copyediting: $0.01-0.02/word

Most authors will need to run their manuscript through all levels of editing. You do not need to pay for these each individually. Just let me know, and I will give you a combined quote.

Ready to talk more?

Fill out my inquiry form, and you’ll hear from me soon.