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Rates and Services

Rates

I base my rates off the Editorial Freelancers Association page here. The rates given on this site are considered standard for the industry. Take a minute to check them out, and you’ll see that I’ve kept my rates on the low end to remain competitive and fair. I also have a real soft spot for indie authors since I walk in those same shoes, and I know what it’s like to try to operate on a tight budget.

 

In most cases, I will require 50 percent of the project total as a down payment with the remaining balance due upon project completion. If you would like to get a feel for my work prior to making any financial commitments, please contact me and I will provide you with a sample edit of a chapter of your book. I want you to feel completely confident with your decision to use Reliance Editorial Services for your editing needs.

 

Payments can be made by check or credit card. If payments are made by check, editing will begin once the check has cleared.

 

Rates for the line edit and copyedit do include a final proofread once all suggested changes and edits have been implemented by the writer. I will check that no new errors were introduced during that process. So long as no major rewrites have taken place, this service is complementary.

 

*Proofreading is reserved for authors whose manuscript has already been copyedited (either by the author or by an editor).

 

 

  • Line Editing
  • $$0.013Per Word

    • Polish content line by line
    • Tighten paragraphs and dialogue
    • Reorganize/rewrite sentences and paragraphs (heavy)
    • Improve transitions
    • Correct tonal shifts and unnatural phrasing
    • Jazz up bland language and add precision
    • Improve pacing
    • Remove redundancies
    • Flag clichés
    • Fix inappropriate use of passive voice
    • Maintain author’s style

  • COPYEDITING
  • $$0.012Per Word

    • Ensure clear word choice and sentence structure
    • Check for internal logic
    • Maintain consistency in style (typeface, spelling, capitalization, hyphens, dashes, etc.)
    • Reorganize/rewrite sentences and paragraphs (light)
    • Ensure subject-verb agreement
    • Make suggestions to improve readability
    • Do light fact-checking
    • Create a style sheet for future use
    • Flag problems like lack of continuity, repetition, and vague or awkward phrasing
    • Adhere to the style guide of your choice

  • PROOFREADING
  • $$0.01Per Word

    • Correct misspellings
    • Fix typos
    • Check for correct word usage
    • Ensure proper capitalization
    • Ensure correct punctuation
    • Check formatting
    • Correct typographical errors
    • Adhere to the style guide of your choice

  • Alpha Reading
  • $$0.00125Per Word

    • Read manuscript in incomplete/draft form
    • Provide honest verbal feedback from the perspective of a reader
    • Give suggestions for improvement
    • Address point of view, voice, characterization, story structure, plot, setting, pacing, etc.

  • Beta Reading
  • $$0.0018Per Word

    • Read manuscript in completed/revised form (before formal editing)
    • Provide honest verbal feedback from the perspective of a reader
    • Give suggestions for improvement
    • Address point of view, voice, characterization, story structure, plot, setting, pacing, etc.

  • MANUSCRIPT REVIEW
  • $$0.005Per Word

    • Read completed and revised manuscript (typically prior to formal editing)
    • Provide multi-page written feedback from the perspective of an editor
    • Point out what’s been done well and what elements need more attention
    • Address any problems with point of view, voice, characterization, story arc, thematics, consistency, redundancy, story structure, plot, setting, pacing, etc.

Learn More About My Services
Services

You might ask, “Can’t I just do my own editing?” The short answer is yes, you can, but you’ll have more errors in your published book than you would otherwise have had if you’d used an editor. I’m an author myself, and while it’s true that I do a lot of my own editing, I still pay someone to look over my manuscript. In my opinion, it’s essential to have a second set of eyes checking for mistakes. As writers, we are simply too close to our work to be able to do our own editing with any kind of real success. 

 

Have you ever heard of typo blindness? Look it up—it’s a real thing! But here’s the gist: It is exceedingly difficult for writers to find errors in their own content. As they read over their work, what they see in front of them competes with the version they already have in their heads. This is why the most brilliant writer can completely miss the big mistakes (Susie’s brother’s name is Carl in chapter one and Bob in chapter seven) and the small mistakes (an error with there, their, they’re).

 

Every writer does need a good editor, but not all editing is the same. I provide three different types of editing: line editing, copyediting, and proofreading. Each of these services are separate and distinct steps in the editing process. I am skilled at all three. I also do manuscript reviews and paid alpha and beta reading.

 

Below, you’ll find a further breakdown of each of my services for your review. Whether you are in a position of needing only one of these services or a combination (discounts apply), I’m your girl. It may be that you’re not quite sure what type of edit your manuscript requires. Not to worry! I’ll help you get it all sorted out.

Line Editing

Line editing is sometimes confused with copyediting, but it really is distinctive and occurs at a very different time in the editing process. The line edit is done before the copyedit, but unlike the copyedit, its purpose isn’t to comb through your text for errors. Instead, the purpose of the line edit is to improve your communication on the whole, line by line and paragraph by paragraph. Of course, there is quite a lot of overlap between the three editing types I provide. Certainly, if I find obvious errors on a technical level during a line edit, I will correct those. I am a perfectionist, after all! Just know that the purpose of the line edit is not to correct grammar and spelling errors. That is the job of the copyedit.

Copyediting

The focus of copyediting is to address errors on a technical level, and it requires a deep understanding of the intricacies of English grammar and usage. The process of the copyedit involves looking at the text line by line in order to correct errors in spelling, grammar, usage, syntax, and punctuation. I provide light rewrites at this level to iron out any problematic wording or sentence structure. I will do a light fact check at this level as well. Additionally, I will create and provide clients with a style sheet to keep on hand for future writing. A style sheet is a list of the grammatical choices, characters, made-up words, unusual words, treatment of words, etc. that a writer uses and helps ensure consistency within a body of work.

Copyediting

The focus of copyediting is to address errors on a technical level, and it requires a deep understanding of the intricacies of English grammar and usage. The process of the copyedit involves looking at the text line by line in order to correct errors in spelling, grammar, usage, syntax, and punctuation. I provide light rewrites at this level to iron out any problematic wording or sentence structure. I will do a light fact check at this level as well. Additionally, I will create and provide clients with a style sheet to keep on hand for future writing. A style sheet is a list of the grammatical choices, characters, made-up words, unusual words, treatment of words, etc. that a writer uses and helps ensure consistency within a body of work.

Proofreading

This is the most basic level of editing.  It should be reserved only for when a document has already been through a round of copyediting and the writer wants one last set of eyes to review the content before publishing. I will read your content backwards and forwards to catch any stray typographical errors, leftover formatting issues, or mistakes in grammar, spelling, usage, and punctuation.

 

Because a copyeditor is more focused on grammar and style, “little” mistakes like extra spaces, missing punctuation, font inconsistencies, and even usage errors can be missed. That’s where a proofreader comes in handy. A proofreader is reading to spot the smallest of errors or inconsistencies and is so important to making sure that no embarrassing mistakes remain in your published work.

Proofreading

This is the most basic level of editing.  It should be reserved only for when a document has already been through a round of copyediting and the writer wants one last set of eyes to review the content before publishing. I will read your content backwards and forwards to catch any stray typographical errors, leftover formatting issues, or mistakes in grammar, spelling, usage, and punctuation.

 

Because a copyeditor is more focused on grammar and style, “little” mistakes like extra spaces, missing punctuation, font inconsistencies, and even usage errors can be missed. That’s where a proofreader comes in handy. A proofreader is reading to spot the smallest of errors or inconsistencies and is so important to making sure that no embarrassing mistakes remain in your published work.

Alpha/Beta Reading

Alpha reading is a first draft read-through of your manuscript by another set of eyes, even if it’s not yet completed. This service is provided before you’ve done any revising, so your story will be in its “roughest” form. You might request an alpha read if you’re feeling stuck or uncertain about any elements of your story, and you’re not sure you can trust family or friends to give you honest feedback. This can be a nice service before you start revising and working on your second draft.

 

Beta reading is done once your revisions are completed and your story is as good as you can make it on your own, although this service does occur prior to any professional editing. Typically (and ideally), beta readers can be found without having to pay for the service. But sometimes, especially for brand new authors, betas can be difficult to find. Family members can work in a pinch, but often family and friends don’t make the best beta readers because they love you and don’t want to be critical of you or your work.

 

Sometimes authors who write in the same genre will exchange beta reading services with one another, and that’s a good way to get some great feedback. If you’re an established author, this service is most likely unnecessary for you, but if you’re just starting out and haven’t made many connections in the author world, you may just find it to be invaluable.

 

Alpha/Beta readings do not come with written feedback. Rather, once I finish your manuscript, we would schedule a phone date to chat about your book. (Let’s do coffee!) 

graphic for beta read
graphic for beta read

Alpha/Beta Reading

Alpha reading is a first draft read-through of your manuscript by another set of eyes, even if it’s not yet completed. This service is provided before you’ve done any revising, so your story will be in its “roughest” form. You might request an alpha read if you’re feeling stuck or uncertain about any elements of your story, and you’re not sure you can trust family or friends to give you honest feedback. This can be a nice service before you start revising and working on your second draft.

 

Beta reading is done once your revisions are completed and your story is as good as you can make it on your own, although this service does occur prior to any professional editing. Typically (and ideally), beta readers can be found without having to pay for the service. But sometimes, especially for brand new authors, betas can be difficult to find. Family members can work in a pinch, but often family and friends don’t make the best beta readers because they love you and don’t want to be critical of you or your work.

 

Sometimes authors who write in the same genre will exchange beta reading services with one another, and that’s a good way to get some great feedback. If you’re an established author, this service is most likely unnecessary for you, but if you’re just starting out and haven’t made many connections in the author world, you may just find it to be invaluable.

 

Alpha/Beta readings do not come with written feedback. Rather, once I finish your manuscript, we would schedule a phone date to chat about your book. (Let’s do coffee!) 

Graphic for Manuscript Review

Manuscript Review

This service falls somewhere between a beta read and a developmental edit. When conducting a beta read, I’m reading your manuscript the way I would any other book, whereas with the manuscript review, I’m wearing both my reader hat and my editor hat as I go through it. I’m actively looking for problems and taking notes as I read, and I’m also noting which sections and patches of dialogue work really well and why.

 

Since developmental edits are so expensive, they are often out of the price range for indie authors. The manuscript review is a nice compromise. You’ll receive multiple pages of written feedback addressing your story’s strengths and weaknesses. I’ll give you my opinion of what works and what can be improved. Keep in mind that although the manuscript review is very detailed and specific, it is NOT an edit, so the Track Changes and Comments features will not be used within the pages of your manuscript.

Let's Work Together!
Graphic for Manuscript Review

Manuscript Review

This service falls somewhere between a beta read and a developmental edit. When conducting a beta read, I’m reading your manuscript the way I would any other book, whereas with the manuscript review, I’m wearing both my reader hat and my editor hat as I go through it. I’m actively looking for problems and taking notes as I read, and I’m also noting which sections and patches of dialogue work really well and why.

 

Since developmental edits are so expensive, they are often out of the price range for indie authors. The manuscript review is a nice compromise. You’ll receive multiple pages of written feedback addressing your story’s strengths and weaknesses. I’ll give you my opinion of what works and what can be improved. Keep in mind that although the manuscript review is very detailed and specific, it is NOT an edit, so the Track Changes and Comments features will not be used within the pages of your manuscript.

Let's Work Together!