WHAT IS BOOK EDITING?

These services are for writers who have a finished or nearly finished manuscript and who need help with any of the following things.

(Unless otherwise noted, definitions are taken/adapted from the Editorial Freelancers Association.)

• Manuscript evaluation: A manuscript evaluation is an overall critique of the content that focuses more on describing the problems than on proposing solutions for them. (One of my mentors describes this process as “developmental editing—light.”)

• Developmental editing: Developmental editors deal with content, organization, and genre considerations. In a typical developmental edit, the developmental editor provides a revision letter, also called an “editorial letter” or “edit letter,” that outlines the big-picture issues to be addressed in revision. The editor may also include some line or copy edits in the manuscript to show the author how to revise effectively. Book doctors are also usually considered developmental editors. They not only provide editorial feedback but also make changes by rewriting and reorganizing passages. Their work is similar to that of ghostwriters, but unlike ghostwriters, they edit existing text rather than create it from scratch.

• Substantive (a.k.a. line) editing: Substantive editors work at the sentence or paragraph level of a project. Like copyeditors, they correct errors, but their main focus is on improving the language and style of the text. Substantive editing may be performed as a separate service, in conjunction with developmental editing, after big-picture issues have been addressed, or in conjunction with copyediting.

• Copyediting: The role of the copyeditor is as broad as it is important. Copyeditors correct spelling, grammar, usage, and punctuation; check cross-references; and prepare the style sheets that guide consistency and accuracy across the manuscript. A copyeditor reviews all aspects of the manuscript at levels of response that vary from light (making a notation to the author) to heavy (revising the text). Copyediting may also be performed in concert with line editing.

Note: I don’t offer proofreading, but I can help you find a proofreader if you’d like.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Of course, each writer and each manuscript is different. But in general, here’s how each service works.

SAMPLE EDIT (SUBSTANTIVE EDITING OR COPYEDITING Only)

Price: $100 USD

• You send me an excerpt of approximately 1,000 words from the middle of your manuscript as a Microsoft Word .docx file.

• You also send me the word count of the full manuscript.

• While timing myself, I read the entire excerpt and perform the level of editing you've requested, just as I would on a full manuscript.

• I use the results of the sample edit and the word count of the full manuscript to calculate how long the edit for the full manuscript would take.

• I send the edited sample back to you along with my estimate for the time and price required to edit the full manuscript.

MANUSCRIPT EVALUATION (A.K.A. "DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING—lIGHT" or a sample developmental edit)

Price: Starts at $600 USD

• You send me the latest version of your complete manuscript as a Microsoft Word .docx file.

• I read the entire manuscript.

• Using the comments feature of Track Changes and my evaluation sheet, I make note of any major issues with the book (believability, characterization, etc.) and any smaller issues that jump out and bite me on the nose. Essentially, I point out the problems I find, and then it’s up to you to fix them.

• I send the annotated manuscript and the filled-out evaluation sheet back to you, along with any recommendations for what you should do next to progress toward publication.

DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING

Price: Starts at $3,000 USD

• You send me the latest version of your complete manuscript as a Microsoft Word .docx file.

• I perform the developmental editing in Word with Track Changes on. I check for and fix issues such as character arcs, plot, structure (including chapter order), logic, argument, supporting evidence, etc.

• I write you a summary of any patterns of issues I’ve found.

• I send the edited manuscript and the summary back to you.

• We have a one-hour phone chat to review the patterns and resolve any big questions.

• If necessary, we repeat the previous steps until all the developmental issues have been resolved.

• Your manuscript is now ready for substantive editing.

SUBSTANTIVE EDITING

Price: Starts at $3,000 USD

• If you did the developmental editing with me, you take up to one week to make the necessary revisions in Microsoft Word with Track Changes on.

• Whether or not you did the developmental editing with me, you send me the latest version of your complete manuscript as a Word .docx file.

• I review and incorporate your changes from the developmental edit (if applicable).

• I perform the substantive editing in Word with Track Changes on. I check for and fix issues such as flow, tone, cohesion, diction, etc.

• I send the edited manuscript back to you.

• If necessary, we repeat the previous steps until all the substantive issues have been resolved.

• Your manuscript is now ready for copyediting.

COPYEDITING

Price: Starts at $3,000 USD

• If you did the substantive editing with me, you take up to one week to make the necessary revisions in Microsoft Word with Track Changes on.

• Whether or not you did the substantive editing with me, you send me the latest version of your complete manuscript as a Word .docx file.

• I review and incorporate your changes from the substantive edit (if applicable).

• I perform the copyediting in Word with Track Changes on. I check for and fix issues such as grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, commonly confused words, etc.

• I send the edited manuscript back to you.

• Your manuscript is now ready for design and proofreading (which I highly recommend doing in that order in case errors are introduced during design).