Services and Rates

Manuscript Evaluation

A manuscript evaluation is a big-picture look at a manuscript. What is working well? What are the challenges?

A manuscript evaluation is usually, but not always, completed in the earlier stages of writing. An evaluation addresses, for example, whether chapters need to be added, combined, or reordered.

I provide a written critique of at least 3-4 pages focusing on how the manuscript addresses purpose, themes, audience, organization, tone, length, and special elements or features.

The evaluation includes sample edits in the manuscript where I offer examples and comments to illustrate my recommended revisions..

A manuscript evaluation is useful when an author wants to ensure that the essential elements are included and that the manuscript serves the author’s purpose and the reader’s.

Sometimes an author wants a manuscript evaluation if they are at an impasse and need a professional to suggest how to rework the manuscript.

Developmental Editing

Development editing also attends to the big picture elements listed in Manuscript Evaluation. However, a developmental edit includes thorough chapter-by-chapter recommendations, edits, and comments using Track Changes and margin Comments.

Line Editing

Line editing focuses on the sentence structure and organization within paragraphs. It improves readability and flow. Sentences and paragraphs are edited for tone, consistency, style, and word choice..

Copy Editing

After the more significant revisions have been made in a manuscript, an author may want to have their manuscript copy edited to prepare to send it to a publisher.

Copy editing ensures there are no errors such as:

  • typos

  • missing words

  • errors in capitalization

  • spelling

  • usage

After copy editing, the manuscript is ready to send to the publisher where it will be for formatted and set into pages. This is when a final proofreading takes place.

Rates‍ ‍

My rate is $.05/word. This is based on the industry standard set by the Editorial Freelance Association. the-efa.org.

Each project is different and I provide an estimate of the total fee up front for approval by the client. Some projects will come in under the $.05 rate depending on their complexity. I do take into consideration the client’s budget when discussing the scope of the project and preparing the estimate.