The Write Word offers two levels of editing: a line edit and a proofread.
My strengths lie in scrutinizing the details. If I notice problems with one chapter flowing smoothly into the next, or characters not interacting in believable ways, or other plot issues, I will comment as a courtesy, but I don’t do developmental editing. I prefer to edit fiction, but I will edit nonfiction, depending on the job. I don’t edit technical writing.
Edits are executed via e-mail with attached Microsoft Word document, using its track changes feature. Both services include a pre-edit assessment and a reasonable amount of post-edit communication, should the edit generate questions.
What I do & what I charge…
Line Edit
For a line edit, I mark the usual proofreading errors, and I do a document search for common usage errors (as vs like, lie vs lay, alter vs altar, alright vs all right, etc.). I also mark POV errors, flag word overuse, and watch for weak and awkward phrasing, stilted dialogue, excessive or unnecessary exposition, and plausibility / believability. The line edit doesn’t address story issues, such as plot, but as I mentioned in the editing services, if I notice some obvious plot issues, I will comment.
To sum up, this edit is similar to a detailed ‘line-by-line’ critique that skilled writers do for each other, except you get a thorough proofread, also.
My fee for line editing is $2.50 per page (250 words).*
That’s 1 cent per word or $10.00 for every 1000 words.
(Ex: 50k = $500.00)
Note: If you make significant changes to your manuscript after receiving a line edit (especially if you struggle with grammar issues), it would be wise to get another proofread.*
Proofread
For a proofread, I make a thorough pass through the document and mark grammar, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation errors. Next, I do a document search and double-check for common usage errors, to catch any I might have missed.
A proofread is a final polish. It assumes you know your craft and have already subjected your manuscript to test-reads and / or critiques.
Note: For ethical reasons, if I start a proofread and discover that your manuscript has excessive basic craft errors, I will stop and notify you. You will have a choice at that point to: 1. repair and resubmit 2. switch to a line edit at an increased fee, 3. back out of the agreement and receive an 80% refund of fees already paid, or 4. advise me to proceed with the originally quoted price.
Numbers 1 and 2 may result in a delay. I don’t recommend number 4.
My fee for proofreading is $1.50 per page (250 words).*
That’s a little more than half a cent per word or $6.00 for every 1000 words.
(Ex: 50k = $300.00)
*Repeat clients who write well enough not to need heavy editing or who are seeking a follow-up proof after a line edit may receive a discount at the editor’s discretion.
Are you still undecided?
You can sample my services with a test edit.
As a courtesy, I offer a one-time, once- per-author test edit of 10 to 30 pages at a discount (minimum10 pages / 2500 words). Prices are as follows:
Test Proofread: $1 dollar per page ($10 - $30)
Test Line Edit: $2 per page ($20 - $60)
If after doing a test edit, you decide to hire me to edit the full manuscript, the amount you paid will be deducted from the total fee.
Payment
After you determine which type of edit you want and tell me the word count of your document, I’ll give you a quote and an estimated time frame for finishing the project. If you decide to hire me, you will be invoiced by The Write Word for half the total fee. Editing will begin once you sign the contract, send me your document, and pay the first half of the fee.
When editing is complete, your document, with marks, will be returned to you, and you will be invoiced for the second half of the fee. Payment will be due upon receipt.
FAQ’s
What kinds of manuscripts do you edit?
My experience has been writing short stories and critiquing fiction (romance, novellas, and short stories), but I will edit full-length novels. I prefer to edit Christian fiction and nonfiction and inspirational and human interest stories. I don’t edit certain kinds of fiction (erotic, stories laced with vulgar language, or X-rated fiction). I don’t feel qualified to edit paranormal fiction because my background is not in science. I’ll consider editing nonfiction, too, depending on the document. I don’t edit technical documents.
If I don’t feel qualified to do the job you’re asking of me, I’ll tell you so.
What about back cover blurbs, queries, and synopses?
I can proofread those. I can also offer line editing advice and general tips, but my expertise ends there.
How long will it take to do my edit?
That depends on such things as document length, edit type and intensity, (amount of errors), and my current workload. Contact me, and I will let you know if I am accepting submissions. If I am, I will give you an approximate timeframe for completing the job.
Feel free to check my availability calendar.
What about confidentiality? How do you keep m manuscript safe and confidential?
First, people will know you hired me only if you choose to tell them. Second, I live alone and have a password protected computer, and I will keep your manuscript private, just as I do my own. In the event I need to print a portion of it (which is unlikely), I will shred it once I’m finished with it.
If you edit my manuscript, will my story be totally free of errors?
One can dream! But no editor can promise you that.
I have great confidence in my editing skills, but when I go back through a manuscript after editing it, I swear little errors reincarnate just to taunt me. As careful as I am, there is always a chance a few errors will escape my scrutiny. I always make a quick manuscript run-through after my final edit just to catch any errant mistake. I can promise you that when I am finished with your manuscript, you will not be criticized for sloppy editing. You will most likely be praised. Remember, my editing reputation is on the line.
What are your qualifications?
I have a Masters in English and thirty-four years’ experience teaching English and writing in high school and college. For twenty of those years, I taught students how to write documented research papers. In those thirty-four years, I edited thousands of compositions and stories, which is the source of my confidence in my editing skills. The last few years I have also done freelance editing jobs for hire.
While I was still teaching, I attended an intensive process-writing seminar for English teachers. Every student had to produce a piece of writing for publication as the final assignment. My manuscript was published in English in Texas magazine. As one assignment, the instructor gave us a long sentence with no punctuation whatsoever and allowed us ten minutes to punctuate it as many ways as we could. Out of the forty students, thirty-nine punctuated it no more than six ways. I punctuated it eleven ways, all correct.
Besides my manuscript that was published in English in Texas, I wrote study guides for both teachers and students to accompany novels written by a friend of mine. One set of guides is titled The Gatehaven Study Guide for Teachers (and another for students) by Jeanette Pierce, based on Gatehaven, a novel by Molly Noble Bull. The latest set is When the Cowboy Rides Away Guide for Teachers (and one for students) by Jeanette Pierce, based on When the Cowboy Rides Away, another novel by Molly Noble Bull. All of them can be found on Amazon.com and also on my website at www.jeanettepierceauthor.weebly.com/books.
Finally, I just finished a true story about an incident from my childhood and submitted it to a contest. I will know in August if I am a winner. The top ten winners’ stories will be published in an anthology of personal stories.
As a result of all my writing, teaching, and editing student papers, I consider myself qualified to edit fiction.
How do I pay you?
Fees are invoiced by The Write Word and paid via Paypal. You don’t have to have a Paypal account; you may pay by credit card.
Do I list you or The Write Word in the acknowledgements when I publish?
No. But if you like my work, tell your writer friends about me.
Why do you give only an 80% refund if a writer backs out of a proofread because of craft issues?
Even though the client is under no obligation until the contract is signed, quite a bit of work goes into the pre-edit assessment. Also, some work would have been done to determine that the manuscript needs more than a proof. A third reason for keeping 20% of the fee is that I very likely turned down other jobs when the writer hired me.
Can clients back out of an edit for other reasons?
Of course, I would rather they didn’t back out, but sometimes it becomes unavoidable. Sometimes people have valid reasons. I will handle each case individually, reserving the right to enforce the contract.
I trust that this information has helped you make a decision about choosing an editor for your manuscript. If you have questions or you’re interested in hiring The Write Word, contact me.
Jeanette, Owner and Editor
My strengths lie in scrutinizing the details. If I notice problems with one chapter flowing smoothly into the next, or characters not interacting in believable ways, or other plot issues, I will comment as a courtesy, but I don’t do developmental editing. I prefer to edit fiction, but I will edit nonfiction, depending on the job. I don’t edit technical writing.
Edits are executed via e-mail with attached Microsoft Word document, using its track changes feature. Both services include a pre-edit assessment and a reasonable amount of post-edit communication, should the edit generate questions.
What I do & what I charge…
Line Edit
For a line edit, I mark the usual proofreading errors, and I do a document search for common usage errors (as vs like, lie vs lay, alter vs altar, alright vs all right, etc.). I also mark POV errors, flag word overuse, and watch for weak and awkward phrasing, stilted dialogue, excessive or unnecessary exposition, and plausibility / believability. The line edit doesn’t address story issues, such as plot, but as I mentioned in the editing services, if I notice some obvious plot issues, I will comment.
To sum up, this edit is similar to a detailed ‘line-by-line’ critique that skilled writers do for each other, except you get a thorough proofread, also.
My fee for line editing is $2.50 per page (250 words).*
That’s 1 cent per word or $10.00 for every 1000 words.
(Ex: 50k = $500.00)
Note: If you make significant changes to your manuscript after receiving a line edit (especially if you struggle with grammar issues), it would be wise to get another proofread.*
Proofread
For a proofread, I make a thorough pass through the document and mark grammar, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation errors. Next, I do a document search and double-check for common usage errors, to catch any I might have missed.
A proofread is a final polish. It assumes you know your craft and have already subjected your manuscript to test-reads and / or critiques.
Note: For ethical reasons, if I start a proofread and discover that your manuscript has excessive basic craft errors, I will stop and notify you. You will have a choice at that point to: 1. repair and resubmit 2. switch to a line edit at an increased fee, 3. back out of the agreement and receive an 80% refund of fees already paid, or 4. advise me to proceed with the originally quoted price.
Numbers 1 and 2 may result in a delay. I don’t recommend number 4.
My fee for proofreading is $1.50 per page (250 words).*
That’s a little more than half a cent per word or $6.00 for every 1000 words.
(Ex: 50k = $300.00)
*Repeat clients who write well enough not to need heavy editing or who are seeking a follow-up proof after a line edit may receive a discount at the editor’s discretion.
Are you still undecided?
You can sample my services with a test edit.
As a courtesy, I offer a one-time, once- per-author test edit of 10 to 30 pages at a discount (minimum10 pages / 2500 words). Prices are as follows:
Test Proofread: $1 dollar per page ($10 - $30)
Test Line Edit: $2 per page ($20 - $60)
If after doing a test edit, you decide to hire me to edit the full manuscript, the amount you paid will be deducted from the total fee.
Payment
After you determine which type of edit you want and tell me the word count of your document, I’ll give you a quote and an estimated time frame for finishing the project. If you decide to hire me, you will be invoiced by The Write Word for half the total fee. Editing will begin once you sign the contract, send me your document, and pay the first half of the fee.
When editing is complete, your document, with marks, will be returned to you, and you will be invoiced for the second half of the fee. Payment will be due upon receipt.
FAQ’s
What kinds of manuscripts do you edit?
My experience has been writing short stories and critiquing fiction (romance, novellas, and short stories), but I will edit full-length novels. I prefer to edit Christian fiction and nonfiction and inspirational and human interest stories. I don’t edit certain kinds of fiction (erotic, stories laced with vulgar language, or X-rated fiction). I don’t feel qualified to edit paranormal fiction because my background is not in science. I’ll consider editing nonfiction, too, depending on the document. I don’t edit technical documents.
If I don’t feel qualified to do the job you’re asking of me, I’ll tell you so.
What about back cover blurbs, queries, and synopses?
I can proofread those. I can also offer line editing advice and general tips, but my expertise ends there.
How long will it take to do my edit?
That depends on such things as document length, edit type and intensity, (amount of errors), and my current workload. Contact me, and I will let you know if I am accepting submissions. If I am, I will give you an approximate timeframe for completing the job.
Feel free to check my availability calendar.
What about confidentiality? How do you keep m manuscript safe and confidential?
First, people will know you hired me only if you choose to tell them. Second, I live alone and have a password protected computer, and I will keep your manuscript private, just as I do my own. In the event I need to print a portion of it (which is unlikely), I will shred it once I’m finished with it.
If you edit my manuscript, will my story be totally free of errors?
One can dream! But no editor can promise you that.
I have great confidence in my editing skills, but when I go back through a manuscript after editing it, I swear little errors reincarnate just to taunt me. As careful as I am, there is always a chance a few errors will escape my scrutiny. I always make a quick manuscript run-through after my final edit just to catch any errant mistake. I can promise you that when I am finished with your manuscript, you will not be criticized for sloppy editing. You will most likely be praised. Remember, my editing reputation is on the line.
What are your qualifications?
I have a Masters in English and thirty-four years’ experience teaching English and writing in high school and college. For twenty of those years, I taught students how to write documented research papers. In those thirty-four years, I edited thousands of compositions and stories, which is the source of my confidence in my editing skills. The last few years I have also done freelance editing jobs for hire.
While I was still teaching, I attended an intensive process-writing seminar for English teachers. Every student had to produce a piece of writing for publication as the final assignment. My manuscript was published in English in Texas magazine. As one assignment, the instructor gave us a long sentence with no punctuation whatsoever and allowed us ten minutes to punctuate it as many ways as we could. Out of the forty students, thirty-nine punctuated it no more than six ways. I punctuated it eleven ways, all correct.
Besides my manuscript that was published in English in Texas, I wrote study guides for both teachers and students to accompany novels written by a friend of mine. One set of guides is titled The Gatehaven Study Guide for Teachers (and another for students) by Jeanette Pierce, based on Gatehaven, a novel by Molly Noble Bull. The latest set is When the Cowboy Rides Away Guide for Teachers (and one for students) by Jeanette Pierce, based on When the Cowboy Rides Away, another novel by Molly Noble Bull. All of them can be found on Amazon.com and also on my website at www.jeanettepierceauthor.weebly.com/books.
Finally, I just finished a true story about an incident from my childhood and submitted it to a contest. I will know in August if I am a winner. The top ten winners’ stories will be published in an anthology of personal stories.
As a result of all my writing, teaching, and editing student papers, I consider myself qualified to edit fiction.
How do I pay you?
Fees are invoiced by The Write Word and paid via Paypal. You don’t have to have a Paypal account; you may pay by credit card.
Do I list you or The Write Word in the acknowledgements when I publish?
No. But if you like my work, tell your writer friends about me.
Why do you give only an 80% refund if a writer backs out of a proofread because of craft issues?
Even though the client is under no obligation until the contract is signed, quite a bit of work goes into the pre-edit assessment. Also, some work would have been done to determine that the manuscript needs more than a proof. A third reason for keeping 20% of the fee is that I very likely turned down other jobs when the writer hired me.
Can clients back out of an edit for other reasons?
Of course, I would rather they didn’t back out, but sometimes it becomes unavoidable. Sometimes people have valid reasons. I will handle each case individually, reserving the right to enforce the contract.
I trust that this information has helped you make a decision about choosing an editor for your manuscript. If you have questions or you’re interested in hiring The Write Word, contact me.
Jeanette, Owner and Editor