Rates, Process, and Payment Terms

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Rates:

Copyedit/Line Editing Combo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $0.013 per word

Developmental Edit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $0.02 per word

Manuscript Evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $0.013 per word

Proofread . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $0.008 per word

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This is your work; let it shine. Unknown errors can keep the reader from understanding what you intended. I will help you say what you mean and mean what you say.

Grooming a body of work to bring out its true potential is something I enjoy and take pride in. I automatically pick up on grammar errors around me in everyday life without even trying. I also intuitively know when something sounds awkward and needs rewording. This natural instinct, along with all of my training and resources, is a great tool for copyediting and line editing. As an avid reader and writer, and with my previous experiences and constant training, I can help you develop your story to shine as brightly as possible. Pooling all my abilities and resources allows me to do justice to your written work and provide you with a high-quality edit.

Copyedit/Line Edit Combo Process:

The reason I offer copyedit and line edit as a combo is because when doing a copyedit, I catch most of the issues I would look for in a line edit and just take care of it right then and there. And when doing a line edit, I always correct all the grammar. I might as well just charge for the copyedit and let you know a light line edit is also included. Think of it as a two-for-one.

I work in Microsoft Word with Track Changes turned on.

I will provide a complimentary sample edit of the first chapter, up to 2,800 words. This will allow both of us to determine whether we are a perfect fit for each other.

I will go through your manuscript twice. During the first passage, I will do a detailed reading of your manuscript, making grammatical changes as needed and leaving comments as needed. I will be looking for the following:

• Punctuation
• Spelling
• Grammar
• Repeat words and phrases
• Irrelevant words or phrases
• Wordy sentences or paragraphs that need to be tightened
• Unclear wording
• Overused words
• Unnecessary words (that, just, only, and others)
• Wrong words
• Wrong sentence structures
• Varied Sentence structures
• Run-on sentences
• Consistency in verb tenses
• Consistency in the writing
• Clarity and/or confusion
• Confusing transitions or confusing language
• Redundancy of the same information
• Awkward, unnaturally sounding phrases
• Awkward metaphors
• Clichés
• Telling versus showing
• Weak verbs
• Passive voice
• Ly adverbs that can be replaced or eliminated
• Mood of dialogue and intention of dialogue

Note that I will not necessarily be looking at or correcting formatting.

All changes and suggestions are consciously made with the author’s voice in mind. Any changes made can be reversed should you not agree with them, and all suggestions are up to you to accept or reject.

I will read through your manuscript a few chapters at a time. Then, I will skim through the same chapters a second time to make sure any changes I have made are correct and that the suggestions I have commented on make sense. I will also recheck for any errors that might still need fixing. Once I am satisfied with that portion, I will forward it to you so that you can work on it while I’m working on the next set of chapters.

Once the project is complete, should you wish for me to do a third reading of certain scenes or chapters in which you have made significant changes, an additional charge will need to be negotiated per word count of the particular scenes or chapters.

Developmental Editing Process:

I work in Microsoft Word with Track Changes turned on.

I will do a complimentary edit of the first two chapters, up to 4,500 words. This will allow me to report back with your weaknesses and strengths so that both of us know what we are getting into and whether we are a perfect fit for each other.

I will go through your manuscript twice. During the first passage, I will do a detailed reading of your manuscript, make some changes as needed, and comment on anything that can be improved to make your story more provocative and your characters more vivid. I will point out and work with you on issues with:

• Opening paragraph/scene – how compelling is it – does it ground the reader in time place, and situation?
• Story structure
• Strengths and weaknesses
• Ending hooks in as many scenes as possible and at the end of each chapter
• Pacing – too fast – too slow – moments of lullness?
• Character development and character voice
• Goals, motivation, and conflict (GMC)
• Point of view (POV) – head-hopping
• Does the plot work, or is it hard to follow?
• Plot holes and continuity
• Subplots – making sure they’re needed and that they come to fruition
• Consistency, both with the story and with the characters
• Setting and description – overdone or lack thereof
• Showing versus telling – when to show, when to tell
• Info dumping
• Backstory as needed
• All loose ends tied up
• Ending – making sure it is emotionally satisfying and not rushed

All changes and suggestions are consciously made with the author’s voice in mind. Any changes made can be reversed should you not agree with them, and all suggestions are up to you to accept or reject.

I will read through your manuscript a few chapters at a time. Then, I will skim through the same chapters a second time to make sure any changes I have made are correct and that the suggestions I have commented on make sense. I will also recheck for any errors that might still need fixing. Once I am satisfied with that portion, I will forward it to you so that you can work on it while I’m working on the next set of chapters.

Once the project is complete, should you wish for me to do a third reading of certain scenes or chapters in which you have made significant changes, an additional charge will need to be negotiated per word count of the particular scenes or chapters.

Manuscript Evaluation Process:

I work in Microsoft Word with Track Changes turned on.

I will provide a complimentary evaluation of the first two chapters, up to 4500, to get a feel for your story. This will allow us to see if we are a good fit for each other.

I will go through your manuscript and comment on the following:

• Does the story make sense?
• What are the strengths and weaknesses?
• Is the opening paragraph captivating, and does it ground the reader in time, place, and situation?
• What is the main conflict of the story, and is it identifiable in the opening scene?
• Can the main conflict sustain the entire plot, or is it easily resolvable?
• What are the goals of the characters? What motivates them? And what are the obstacles that keep them from easily achieving these goals? Are the obstacles believable enough to sustain the idea that they do challenge the characters? Or are the obstacles too easy to overcome?
• Is the protagonist introduced in the opening scene? Is the antagonist introduced in the opening scene? If not, is he or she introduced at the right time? Or is it too late into the story?
• Does the opening scene project the correct tone for the genre?
• Does the plot work, or is it hard to follow? Are we grounded in the story, or are we constantly trying to figure out what’s going on? Does the story veer off on a tangent? Is it confusing?
• If there are any subplots, are they seen all the way through to fruition, or are they just forgotten about?
• Are the characters likable and realisistic?
• Do the characters behave true to their personalities? Or do they behave out of character, annoying the reader?
• Are the character flaws believable?
• Does anything appear contrived or forced?
• Are there any unnecessary redundancies?
• Are there any inconsistencies?
• Are there any moments of lullness anywhere that may temporarily bore the reader?
• Are there any issues with backstory? Is there too much? Is there too little? Is it sprinkled throughout appropriately, or is it a big one-time dump that slows down the reader?
• Are there any issues with point of view (POV). Does the POV change at the appropriate time? Or is there a lot of “head hopping” confusing the reader as to whose POV we’re in?
• By the book’s end, does the author deliver all that is hinted at in the beginning of the story—the opening chapter/scene?
• Are all loose ends tied up?
• Is there a compelling ending providing an emotional climax for the reader, or do things just end abruptly, which can be anti-climactic?

For the evaluation, I will point out these things and let you know if they are done well or need working on. I will provide some broad suggestions on some of these issues for you to consider. It is up to you to implement any changes you would like to make.

Feedback will be given either in Track Change, in a separate Word document, or a combination of both.

All suggestions and changes (if any) are consciously made with the author’s voice in mind.

Proofread/Light Copyedit:

I work in Microsoft Word with Track Changes turned on.

I will provide a complimentary sample edit of the first chapter, up to 2,800 words. This will allow both of us to know if we are a perfect fit for each other.

While proofreading, I will be looking for basic grammar only. If something suddenly jumps out at me that is out of the proofreading realm, I certainly won’t ignore it. That’s just not in my nature. I will point it out. If a suggestion or a solution immediately comes to me, I will pass it on. But I won’t necessarily be focused on coming up with a suggestion or solution that is not immediate.

In a proofread, I will go through your manuscript making grammatical changes as needed. I may or may not make any comments. I will be looking for the following:

• Punctuation
• Spelling
• Grammar
• Run-on sentences
• Repeat words and phrases
• Wrong words
• Redundancies
• Run-on sentences
• Wordiness
• Clarity
• Consistency

Note that I will not necessarily be looking at or correcting formatting.

If something suddenly jumps out at me that is out of the proofreading realm, I certainly won’t ignore it. That’s just not in my nature. I will point it out. If a suggestion or a solution immediately comes to me, I will pass it on. But I won’t necessarily be focused on coming up with a suggestion or solution that is not immediate.

All changes and suggestions are consciously made with the author’s voice in mind. Any changes made can be reversed should you not agree with them, and all suggestions are up to you to accept or reject.

I will read through your manuscript a few chapters at a time. Then, I will reread those same chapters a second time to make sure any changes I have made are correct and that the suggestions I have commented on make sense. I also recheck for any errors that still need fixing.

Once the project is complete, should you wish for me to do a third reading of certain scenes or chapters in which you have made significant changes, an additional charge will need to be negotiated per word count of the particular scenes or chapters.

Payment Terms for Editing:

There are three types of payment terms, depending on the size of your project.

Term 1: $380.00 or less

For projects that come out to $380 or less, payment is collected in full upfront.

Term 2: Up to $999.00

For projects between $381.00 and $999.00, the payment plan is 40-40-20. I will collect 40% of the cost upfront. Once I am approximately 40% of the way through your manuscript, I will give you the option to continue with my services or end our contract. Should you choose to continue, I will then collect the second deposit of 40%. Once I am approximately through 80% of your manuscript, I will again give you the option to continue or not. Should you choose to continue, I will then collect the remaining 20% of the cost and finish your project.

At any of the intervals, should you decide not to continue with the edit, then we are done, and all is well. If in the future you would like to use my services again on another project, just reach out when you’re ready. Note that if you choose not to continue with the edit and then change your mind, I will not resume the same project if more than nine days have passed. If that is the case, and you wish for me to work on the same manuscript, we would have to start over from the beginning.

Term 3: $1,000.00 or more

For projects that are $1000.00 or more, the payment plan is 30-30-30-10. I will collect 30% of the cost upfront and then start on your project. Once I am approximately 30% of the way through your manuscript, I will give you the option to continue with my services or end our contract. Should you choose to continue, I will then collect the second deposit of 30%. Once I am approximately 60% of the way through your manuscript, I will again give you the option to continue or not. Should you choose to continue, I will then collect the third deposit of 30%. Once I am approximately through 90% of your manuscript, once more, I will give you the option to continue or not. Should you choose to continue, I will then collect the remaining 10% and finish your project.

At any of the intervals, should you decide not to continue with the edit, then we are done, and all is well. If in the future you would like to use my services again on another project, just reach out when you’re ready. Note that if you choose not to continue with the edit and then change your mind, I will not resume the same project if more than nine days have passed. If that is the case, and you wish for me to work on the same manuscript, we would have to start over from the beginning.

Minimum Payment:

Editorial projects have a minimum charge of $218.

Rush Job:

Rush jobs are evaluated on a per-manuscript basis and also based on what’s already on my schedule. I will skim through portions of the manuscript to see if the work that needs to be done will fit into my current schedule.

Rate:

There is an additional 8% of the total (before any discounts) charged for rush jobs, rounded down to the nearest dollar (no change).

Phone Calls and Video Consultations:

The first 40 minutes of phone calls or Video consultations are complimentary. Any further phone calls or video consultations are $9 per 15 minutes with a 15-minute minimum.