Frequently
Asked Questions
What do editors do?
There are three basic functions
—We can prune out unnecessary material
—We can suggest that you add new material to improve the clarity and force of argument
—We can suggest that you change material to make it stronger and more effective.
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How do you charge for editing services?
I charge on an hourly basis. The rate depends on the level of services.
Why don’t you charge an overall flat fee, or a per/word or per/page fee?
Manuscripts come in greatly varying degrees of need. Some authors’ pages, for example, may need very little proofreading or line editing, while other manuscripts may require a great deal of micro-level work. Because the rate is hourly, you don’t need to make any major financial commitment in advance. You pay only for the work I actually do, and we’ll work together only as long as you’re pleased with the results.
Is personal taste a factor in editorial advice?
Undoubtedly. No editor is completely objective. But while an agent or publishing house editor will use their taste to judge whether or not they want to publish your book, my objective is simply to help you improve your manuscript.
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How will I know you’re the right editor for me?
I suggest hiring me for a sample chapter or two so you can get a clear picture of the benefits of working with me.
How should I submit my manuscript to you?
I prefer to work with documents in Microsoft Word. (If your manuscript is not in that format, it’s usually easy to translate it into Word.) Please submit material in a basic 12-point font, with at least one-inch margins on each page.
How will I know what editing you’ve done?
I will return your work in two formats: a version with Tracked Changes, so you can see every edit I’ve made, plus a clean version that just shows the final result.