General Information
Selecting an editor is like dating—you need to figure out if you can tolerate each other before spending a lot of time together. Editing a manuscript involves making many small but important decisions on a deadline, so it’s best to know if you and your editor can work together before committing. If you don’t get along on a sample edit, then you’re not going to get along for editing a novel-length manuscript. A good working relationship with your editor is imperative to your enjoyment as an author.
My general philosophy of editing is that the author is in charge of final decisions and that I’ve been entrusted to improve the manuscript while preserving the author’s voice and intent. I try to edit everyone’s work like I would want my work to be edited, which involves a relationship of mutual respect and trust and an acknowledgment that we have the same goal—the best manuscript possible.
Sample Edits
Sample edits are required before starting any large project. This is both for my benefit and yours. A sample edit lets us decide if our personalities and styles work well together. During a sample edit, I assess the needs of the entire manuscript in terms of punctuation, spelling, style, and other aspects of writing. I then perform the level of editing my assessment suggests on a small portion of the manuscript and return it to you, along with a price quote and a summary of the work required.
There is a flat fee of $50 for sample edits. This fee counts toward the total cost of editing, so you will not be charged twice for the same words. For shorter works, such as stories under 10,000 words, it is only necessary to assess the manuscript, as shorter works aren’t long enough for sample edits. There is no charge for this.
Editing Services
Proofreading
The goal in proofreading is to produce a finalized manuscript which delivers a consistent and enjoyable reading experience. At this level of editing, I look for errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation, as well as inconsistencies in style, such as hyphenation and capitalization. I may suggest simple changes to improve comprehension and remove ambiguity. Typically, I perform one pass or reading of the work at this level.
This process is ideally done after another editor has performed a more thorough edit and created a style sheet to be referenced during proofreading.
Copyediting
Copyediting brings greater scrutiny and criticism to the table than proofreading. In addition to the services offered for proofreading, copyediting involves:
- Establishing style and formatting preferences, including preferred dictionary and style guide.
- Developing a style sheet which records author preferences and editorial decisions.
- Correcting figures of speech and incorrect word choices, as well as flagging overused language and clichéd or inappropriate phrasing.
- Ensuring proper punctuation of dialogue and proper use of dialogue tags.
- Trimming unnecessary or redundant words and language.
- Pointing out passive voice and suggesting changes to turn it into active voice.
Typically, I perform one pass of the manuscript, then send it back to the author to allow them to make changes and answer queries. They return it to me, and I review the changes, accepting or declining as necessary.
Comprehensive or Substantive Editing
This is the most thorough level of editing I offer. In addition to the services offered in proofreading and copyediting, comprehensive editing involves:
- Tracking continuity (events, actions, character attributes, back story, etc.).
- Flagging inconsistencies in story logic and suggesting changes.
- Rewriting sentences and phrases to improve clarity, comprehension, and accuracy.
- Rearranging or moving sentences or paragraphs to improve flow.
- Looking for overuse of adverbs where strong verbs would be a better choice and offering rewrites.
- Paying attention to character and story arcs to make sure these develop in believable ways.
- Ensuring tone and content is appropriate for genre, scene, and point-of-view characters. For example, does the heroine of your Regency historical romance speak in modern slang? Is the poignant climax where a beloved character dies full of fart jokes? Does your cozy mystery inadvertently quote Die Hard movies? I may suggest changes in these circumstances.
- Fact checking. Do you have Archduke Franz Ferdinand being assassinated in 1915? Do your sci-fi creatures demonstrate bilateral symmetry? Are opossums running amok in Europe?
- Book description/summary/blurb critique and edit. I will edit and critique your book description or summary to prepare it for posting on retail sites. A second set of eyes is highly recommended for this stage of publishing! Try to spare your characters from pubic embarrassment. (Oops.)
Typically, I do three passes of the work at this level of editing. The first addresses larger concerns such as plot, characterization, and theme, at which point the manuscript is sent back to the author. The author makes changes to the manuscript, and then returns it to me to do a copyediting pass. I return the manuscript, and the author accepts and rejects changes and sends it back to me to finalize the manuscript.
Other Services
Audiobook Proofreading
I will listen to your audiobook while reading along in a finalized manuscript to find inconsistencies, errors, and omissions. Charged per audiobook hour.
Newsletter and Website Copyediting
Have a newsletter going out to your mailing list? Have some new copy for your website? I am happy to check these for spelling, grammar, and punctuation, as well as to make suggestions to improve comprehension and flow.
Story Bible
Did you somehow find yourself writing a multi-book series without keeping a comprehensive story bible? Would you rather lick a cactus than read your own writing? After you provide me with copies, I will read your published books while taking notes on such things as characters, settings, and events and produce an easily referenced document. For an additional fee, I will write individual chapter summaries.
Interested in hiring me? Click here for submission guidelines and contact information.