Freelance Editor

How it Works

All amounts are approximate and vary if you need heavier or lighter edits. New clients will need to provide a sample of their work, which I will edit to see if we'll be a good fit for each other. The scope of work/price will be negotiated with the client, and a contract will be signed. No surprises. I require half of the agreed price up front and the final half on delivery of the edited manuscript. I accept payments via PayPal or snail-mail check.

Unless otherwise discussed with the author, I use The Chicago Manual of Style 17th edition, Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary 11th edition (primary), American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language 5th edition (secondary), Shunn standard manuscript formatting, and US English wherever possible.

My rates are based on the Editorial Freelance Association rates from 2020.

Manuscript Evaluation ~ $100 / 10k words

Similar to a writing coach, this is a way for writers to receive feedback as they develop their novel and improve their overall craft. It's also great for shorter stories, where a full line edit and copyedit might not be cost-effective.

I will provide 1-5 pages of editorial notes focused on the overall story and prose. I will look for plot errors, characterization issues, repetitive grammatical issues, and provide general advice to improve your prose. I'll cover narrative description, dialogue, actions/reactions, setting, pacing, tension, emotional impact, and theme. Finally, based on my experience as an acquiring editor and slush reader, I will tell you if I believe this is ready for pro-market sale and/or which markets I'd suggest for submission.

Line Editing ~ $0.04 / word

Line editing is about the sentence and paragraph level of your craft. It improves the strength of your prose, ensuring your ideas are conveyed to the reader clearly and as intended. Line edits are not only for improving your current manuscript but also for making you a better writer in the future. A good line editor will help you develop and enhance your authorial voice without overriding it with their own.

I will provide in-line suggestions via Word Track Changes or Google Docs Editing mode for the following: confusing or awkward sentences, smoothing transitions and the "flow" of sentences and paragraphs, enhancing readability, eliminating wordiness, tightening repetitive or redundant word usage, character motivation issues, depth of characterization/setting issues, point of view slips, flagging clichés, inappropriate jargon or figures of speech, and recommending show over tell where needed, including the use of passive voice.

Copyediting ~ $0.01 - $0.04 / word

Copyediting covers spelling, grammar, punctuation, and syntax. If line editing is about craft, copyediting is the minutiae of writing. It also assures your manuscript is formatted correctly for your layout designer and tracks the internal consistency of your story and characters.

I will provide in-line suggestions via Word Track Changes or Google Docs Editing mode for the following: spelling, grammar, punctuation, incorrect word usage, verb tense changes, style consistency for hyphenation, numerals, fonts, and capitalization. I will track consistency with characters, settings, fictitious words, and plot history in a style sheet, which you will receive at the end of the project.

All of the above over three rounds with the author ~ $0.05 / word

In addition to a manuscript evaluation, line edit, and copyedit, I will provide reasonable consultation during your revisions to answer any questions, provide additional feedback, and give general guidance and encouragement. This is truly having me as your personal editor. These returning clients will receive priority for booking.

Proofreading ~ $0.005 - $0.02 / word

This is a final pass to correct any surface errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation, as well as typographical and formatting errors. I will not proofread a manuscript that has not been first seen by another editor. Corrections can be provided in Word Track Changes, Google Docs Editing mode, PDF annotations, or as classic red ink on a print or scanned copy. If you choose to utilize regular postal mail, you will cover all the costs of shipping and postage.