For a firm job quote, I must see the project in its entirety but my general prices are as follows:
General Copyediting and Proofreading: $60-$70 an hour
Technical Copyediting: $75-$80 an hour
Non-included expenses, such as packaging, postage, long distance charges, cost of copying and correspondence are additional, will be documented and billed to the client.
I will provide you with a free sample evaluation and non-binding price estimate. For most projects, I can estimate the number of hours required for the type of editing needed, with an examination of the first several pages of an article or two chapters and a synopsis of a book length manuscript. On some projects, the hourly rate/charge can be adjusted to an agreed upon flat project fee, as determined by the number of double-spaced manuscript pages, the topic of the document, the amount of editing needed, and time constraints (do you need an overnight or time-sensitive editing for an article or business document? a deadline for submission to an agent or publisher for a book length manuscript?). With this information, I can usually estimate a range; the final charge will not exceed the top figure of my estimate. There is no risk on your part for a free, no-obligation evaluation and cost estimate.
For projects of any size and any degree of copyediting service, the following payment structure is strictly applied after we have discussed editing and payment options:
1/3 of projected total in advance, before copyediting or writing begins
1/3 of projected total, before second third of the project is completed and delivered final amount, upon completion of the project, based on actual time spent on project (this amount may be more or less than the first two payments), paid in advance, before the completed project is delivered
where a flat fee for a business project has been negotiated, the same schedule applies: 1/3 up front, 1/3 before the second third of the project is completed, and the final third upon completion, before it is delivered.
Repeat clients can pay entire amount (POD), after completion. Prefer payment to PayPal account.
For most clients, payment is made through the use of personal check to my account with PayPal; certified checks or money orders are also accepted.
For local and repeat clients or major corporations, a company/ personal check will be accepted in agreed upon terms (POD) after work is completed.
General Copyediting:
For projects that need considerable reorganization and rewriting. Editing includes whatever services are required to develop accurate and logical content that is appropriate for the intended audience. It involves an examination of the basic elements of manuscript structure: pacing, voice, tone and subtext, a check for redundancies, repetition of phrases, clichés, misplaced modifiers, shifts in agreement, consistency, organization, flow, clarity, and several other things. It also includes basic copyediting (see below). Substantive copyediting is performed directly on a copy of the document, using Word’s Track Changes tool, which allows you the opportunity to see the changes, but produces a clean copy ready for submission or personal use. It includes a check for errors of spelling, grammar, punctuation, and consistency of style, and an evaluation of confusing and awkward writing techniques. (It does not include a substantive line-by-line editing, as described above.)
An already-edited document is examined one final time, checking for any remaining errors and inconsistencies and standard proofreading symbols are used on a hard copy.
Technical Copywriting:
Involves the editing, revision of product users’ guides, internet content, employee manuals, software manuals, brochures, novels, short stories, legal presentations, and white papers.
For fiction, it involves the careful reading and analyzing of your fiction manuscript to discern its strengths and weaknesses. A lengthy report is produced, with suggestions for improvement in areas such as your plot, characterization, setting, use of conflicts, climax, point of view, spelling, punctuation and grammar weaknesses, your format, etc.
For a non-fiction book, or any type of business document, it involves any necessary research of subject material. The writing may expand and expound upon the rough draft of the original writer, in order to establish the tone and style required.
For ghostwritten articles published under the name of the client, see the copywriting section.