What I Need to know Before We Start
The editing process is simple - and it starts with getting in touch.
1. What information do you need to give me?
What type of editing service do you need? What would you like me to do with the text? Am I checking it purely for spelling and grammar, or would you like me to edit the text?
Do You need one of my other services?
What's your manuscript word count?
This affects costs.
Do you need a payment plan? If so, which one would you prefer?
What genre would you say your book falls into?
I primarily work with fiction. I specialize in Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, and Children's Picture books.
How quickly would you like the work done? Do you have a deadline that you must meet?
I will need to know this in advance so I can plan accordingly.
Have you worked with an editor before?
When Do You Plan on Starting the Editing Process?
This is so I can save your spot on my calendar.
2. When and how should you send me your manuscript?
- Send me the manuscript as soon as you complete the developmental editing process.
- You can Email the document to me - preferably in Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
- Either send the entire text or a sample of it along with an indication of how many words make up the total.
3. Cost and Timescales
I will then come back to you with any queries and give you an idea of the cost and timescales involved.
4. The Editing Process
- In terms of the actual editing process, before I start, I will make sure to confirm with you exactly what you are expecting from an edit or proofread.
- I prefer to provide a (free of charge, no-obligation) sample edit of about 1,000 words (500 word sample edit if you manuscript falls under 2,000 words) taken from your manuscript. This helps me to work out the level of editing required and demonstrates to you exactly what I would be doing with your manuscript.
- I also ask all my new authors to sign a client contract and NDA. This helps to clarify expectations and makes sure that everyone knows what to expect right from the beginning.
- Once I start editing your manuscript, I work through it in one go; at the end of each week, I send you an update email detailing my progress and raising any points for clarification.
- These emails are often necessarily brief as they are really just to reassure you that I'm still working on your book and haven't run off to a desert island somewhere.
- At the end of the editing process, I will return the file to you with the suggested edited changes shown in the track changes.
- Once You approve those edits, I will do a Final Editing Check. See My Editing Process for details on that.
5. Microsoft Word
- Unless we discuss otherwise, your manuscript text will be edited in Microsoft Word using Track Changes.
- Track Changes is very intuitive to use.
- Another option would be Google Docs.
6. Do I need a deposit?
- Once we have agreed on a timescale and a budget, I ask for a booking fee.
- For projects with a total value in excess of $500, I ask for a booking fee of $450.
- This secures your slot in my calendar and is non-refundable but is deducted from the final fee.