Why do I need an editor?

Perhaps you’ve never hired an editor before, and you’re wondering if it’s even necessary. Consider what an editor brings to the table.

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You used the spell-check in your program, but the computer didn’t pick up a homophone (pronounced the same way but a different spelling). A different set of eyes will see common mistakes that are difficult to see if you’ve looked at the same words a million times. Perhaps you used the same adjective five times in one paragraph. An editor can make suggestions by offering synonyms that add variety and perhaps a little more punch. You don’t want errors and repetitiveness to turn off a reader. You want the reader to be excited to read your book, to be interested in what else you have to say.

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Did you mention a new term but never explain it? Did you fully cover a topic that is an integral piece of your work? An editor will point these out, indicating where there are inconsistencies or revealing a need for strengthening a section.

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What if a reader is interested in learning more about a source you quoted within the text and can’t find it in the reference list? The reader will question your credibility. If you missed this reference, the reader will wonder how many more are missing. Perhaps you reference a graphic or a table, but it was removed in a previous version. Readers will put down your book and move on if they are confused or discouraged.

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What does the editing process involve?

As I begin editing your manuscript, I may encounter issues that involve widespread edits. In general, I will make a list of questions and then submit those to you. That way, we’re not talking daily but on a routine schedule.

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Once I present you with an edited manuscript, be prepared to review the edits and answer questions. This phase may include several times of going back and forth before everything is finalized.

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What do I need to know about submitting my manuscript to you?

I edit in Microsoft Word, so you’ll need to submit a Word doc. I will also be working with track changes (the editing feature in Word). If you’re not familiar with track changes, I will be available to help navigate you through the program.

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What do you charge?

Not all projects are created equal. Every project is different—different word counts, various levels of complexity, tight or comfortable deadlines, and the type and level of editing requested. I may need to review a sample of your manuscript to get an idea of the scope of editing needed. We’ll also talk about this to make sure we’re in agreement.

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I require a deposit before beginning a project (usually a percentage), which secures your place in my schedule. The final payment is due upon completion of your project. If the project is a long one, we’ll discuss the payment schedule.

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How do we get started?

Once we determine we’re a good fit to work together, I will develop a proposal for your review. The proposal will outline the services I will provide, the cost, and the timeline for your project. After the proposal is settled, it will become the statement of work within our contract. 

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To make things easy and to expedite the process, I send my contracts through Adobe Sign for an electronic signature. I accept online payments through PayPal, Square, and Venmo. Or you can always send your payment through the mail if you prefer.