First-time Customer Discount!
First-time customers will automatically receive 10% off their first project
PLUS a FREE digital copy of my book, The CopySitter's Tips and Tricks for Great
(Narrative) Writing.
Services . . .
NOTE: There is no industry standard for the names and definitions of the types of editing, so what's written below may vary from what you've seen before.
Proofreading simply means looking for errors and inconsistencies in grammar, style, formatting, fonts, etc. This is a purely technical process that is used on everything from manuscripts to marketing materials.
If you have a manuscript you will be submitting to publishers, get it copyedited instead of proofread (your publisher will proofread it). However, if you plan to self-publish, absolutely get your manuscript proofread—after it's been formatted but before you click that PUBLISH button.
Copyediting, or Mechanical Editing, is done on final (or very nearly final) drafts. A copy editor doesn't just look for errors, like a proofreader, but really scrutinizes the text for mistakes, inconsistencies, inaccuracies, cohesiveness, and clarity. Minor rewrites might be required after copyediting. You can request light, medium, or heavy copyediting depending on how deeply you want your editor to scrutinize your work. Light copyediting usually only includes the technical stuff, while heavy copyediting skirts the edge of Line Editing by doing a much deeper dive into the content.
Line Editing is not so much about grammar and punctuation as it is about the quality of the writing in general. Line editing could lead to major rewrites and should be performed on an early draft of the manuscript.
Developmental Editing involves a collaboration between writer and editor, during the writing process or early in the revision process, in which the editor helps the writer flesh out the details of the piece, be it plot, character, format, organization, etc. (which is not to say the editor does any of the work for the writer, but simply helps the writer decide what direction to take).
How to Choose a Service or Services . . .
The type of service you need is generally determined by where you are in the writing process:
Proofreading—after the book is formatted for publication
Copyediting—near-final drafts
Line Editing—early to late drafts
Developmental Editing—during the writing process or on an early draft
However, you can request any of these services at any stage in your process. The service I provide is ultimately up to you.
Again, if you have no idea what service or services you need, contact me and we'll figure it out.
How Costs are Determined . . .
Manuscript costs are figured by page count, which is actually a word count. Industry standard states that one page equals 250 words. For example, a book of 80,000 words equals 320 pages.
Other types of projects, like poetry and marketing materials, are priced per hour.
Cost is further figured by service requested. Proofreading has the lowest cost, and developmental editing, the highest. Combinations of services (for example, line editing followed by proofreading the final manuscript) have discounted costs.
Type of project and timeline are the final factors in determining cost.
Contact me with a description of your project (including approximate word count), the service or services you are interested in, and your timeline, and I will work up an estimate for you.
Please don't be alarmed that no prices are published on this site. It's simply too complicated to list them here. But I promise you that we can find a service that is affordable for you. Just contact me to get the conversation started.