Editing

What to Expect:

The normal practice finds a writer seeking a second set of eyes to look over a work in progress.  Most often, the writer comes to an editor wanting help with certain aspects of a manuscript.  The writer holds a vision and a belief as to where the work stands at present.  When the editor and writer first meet—whether that be in-person, via e-mail, or over the phone—these ideas are discussed.

In our case, after you and I have spoken and gone over the services that might help you, I'll prepare a formal proposal, including the service to be rendered, turnaround time and fees.  Should the writer decide to move  forward, payment in full is sent to the post office box listed on the proposal.  When payment is secured I'll notify you and we'll have a start date and deadline you can count on.

FEES:

All About Books works primarily with WORD COUNT instead of page counts or hourly fees.  This allows the writer to project freelance fees for their work instead of wondering how many hours it might take their editor to go over the work.  Page counts can be ambiguous, too.  Working with WORD COUNT leaves less to wonder about.

Content    Editing

The editor should receive the manuscript in standard form with fewest mechanical errors.  The editor makes no surface corrections, but reads the manuscript at the level of the story itself, focusing on the content of the text.  This phase of editing is arguably the most vital to a manuscript.

In works of fiction the editor will make recommendations to the writer concerning any developmental needs relating to plot, character, narrative arc, pacing, perspective, chronology and deeper aspects of the writing itself.  Larger movements and overall structure will be a main concern.  In works of nonfiction, the focus will be on consistency of information and clarity of purpose.

Product: The editor will provide the client with a multiple page explication on the work.  The client can expect one single-spaced page of analysis for every 10,000 words of their manuscript.

Copyediting
Basic ~ .02/word
$5.00/* page
50,000 words = $1000

         This level of editing alerts the writer to grammatical issues, matters of syntax, word choice, and light structural changes to improve readability.  At this point, the work is developing toward traditional sentence structure, paragraphing and standard use of language.  Here, the writer and editor are working to lessen the narrative and grammatical distractions so the story itself shines through.

           Product: This work can be done using Word's Track Changes Tool or manually from the hardcopy.  If the client has a preference, please let that be known.

Proofreading
.017/word
$4.25/* page
50,000 words = $850.00

     This is when all last minute changes should be made.
     Product: This service will only be offered if the manuscript has already gone through copyediting (by my staff) and subsequent revision.