Having your manuscript professionally edited is one of the most critical steps in the publishing process. It makes all the difference in publishing an error-free book.
For text-only manuscripts, the fee is per word rather than an hourly rate. Turnaround time on most projects is 15 to 20 business days from the date your document is received. Timing may vary depending on the complexity and length of the project.
All rates are quoted in U.S. dollars, with a minimum of $100 per job. The following rates apply to electronic editing of Microsoft Word or Mac Pages documents (using the track changes feature). If your document is in a PDF format, or you prefer a hard copy edit, there may be an additional charge. Prices do not include return postage for printed manuscripts. However, most work can be handled online. Let us know if you have a Dropbox or similar account you would like to use. We will do our best to tailor our work process to accommodate your needs.
Copyediting Service
A copyedit is for authors whose manuscript requires something heavier than a proofread. Text should already be in its final or nearly final form. Each sentence will be read carefully, seeking to fix all errors of spelling, punctuation, capitalization, grammar, and syntax while preserving your meaning and voice. We may rewrite tangled sentences or suggest alternative wordings; if your project includes elements such as captions, tables, or footnotes, these can be checked against the text. We will correct errors in commonly known facts.
If there is a question about an intended meaning, we will comment and, if appropriate, offer suggestions for revising the passage in question. Manuscripts are edited in Microsoft Word or Mac Pages so you can see the tracked edits and have the choice to either accept or reject them.
- Copyediting: $0.03 per word USD, $100 minimum.
- Copyediting + Proofreading: $0.04 per word USD, $100 minimum.
Proofreading Service
Basic proofreading includes proofing for spelling mistakes, typos, punctuation problems, capitalization errors, and awkward grammar. It can also include cross-checking the text to ensure design elements such as heading and typeface styles, page numbers, and the like are consistent. If your manuscript has been peer reviewed, workshopped by a writers’ group, or has gone through several drafts to get it to finally say just what you want, this might be the service for you.
- Proofreading: $0.02 per word USD, $100 minimum.
We Can Copyedit or Proofread:
- Fiction manuscripts
- Nonfiction manuscripts
- Cookbooks*
- Classroom materials
- Newspaper & magazine articles
- Newsletters
- Website copy
Proofreading and Copyediting services do not include securing any necessary permissions for reprinted material including, but not limited to: song lyrics, photos, poems, newspaper articles, or text. Any such material exceeding 10 percent of the original source’s word count exceeds fair use, and it is the author’s responsibility to secure permission from the original source’s publisher.
We accept Visa, MasterCard, and PayPal. We request a deposit of fifty percent to begin, with the balance due upon completion, prior to delivery of edited files. We also offer a 5 percent discount if you pay the entire invoice at the time services are engaged.
*Copyediting a cookbook is a thorough process requiring working in short bursts of intense concentration so the editorial process may take longer than that of a novel. We anticipate 6-8 weeks, depending on the exact length and complexity of the project. Here are a few tips to prepare your manuscript for the editorial process. Copyediting fee: $0.04 per word USD.