FAQ

Where do I start?

It’s best to start with a consultation. During a consultation, we can get to know each other, you can ask any burning questions, and we can talk about precisely what kind of service you’re looking for. You can book your consultation here.

How do I know what kind of edit I need?

If you think you’re ready to hire an editor but aren’t sure what kind of edit you need, you can share a 2,000 word sample of your manuscript with me. I will line edit the sample and provide some feedback. Then you and I will hop on the phone, or zoom, or two-way radio, and chat a little bit about your project. This initial edit and follow-up call costs $400. If you choose to move forward with additional services, this $400 will be deducted from the overall cost.

I’ll give you my recommendation, along with a quote. But, in the end, what service you choose to purchase is entirely up to you.

What is a developmental edit?

Imagine that Mario Puzo had just completed a draft of his novel The Godfather. However, in this version of the manuscript, Vito Corleone is just a big teddy bear of a man, a total sweetheart who is always doing nice things for people, like picking up their dry cleaning. And Michael Corleone has a hard time making decisions, so instead of murdering Sollozo and McCluskey, he spends the whole 400 pages of the novel agonizing over what to do, making pros and cons lists, and calling up friends for their opinions on the matter.

If Mario came to me with this version of the novel, I would tell him: “Sir, you need developmental editing.” Mario is a great writer, but his book isn’t working. For some reason, it moves very slowly and it feels as though nothing is happening. Mario needs help developing the story, restructuring the plot, building his characters, and—overall—making the choices that will allow him to transform this manuscript into the pacey, compelling, and intense crime drama that is The Godfather.

What are your rates?

My rate for a one-hour consultation is $300.

For the most macro-level, least-intensive level of editing—which involves my reading your manuscript and then writing up feedback in the form of a critique—my rates begin at $0.025/word. My rates are in line with the market rates outlined on the Editorial Freelancers Association website.

For query letter editing, I charge a flat fee of $350. My coaching rate is $105/hour.

Contact me for a more detailed quote regarding your specific project.

What if I want to keep working with you after the first edit?

Many of my clients are return clients! This makes me so happy because it means they found my services invaluable. For second and third round edits, I will offer 7% off the normal rate; and for additional support via email correspondence or telephone calls, I will charge an hourly rate of $85/hr.

Can you introduce me to an agent?

I cannot. I can give you advice about the best way to find and approach agents, but I cannot make an introduction.