Technical Writing will be edited only for errors as stated below, but not for content or accuracy of the subject matter.  The author is entirely responsible for any research, outcomes or statistics as written.  All other genres are welcome.

All Editorial Styles must meet the needs of different jobs for various clients.  To help determine the type of editorial serves you want or need, I offer the following definitions:

Copy editing/Copy Proofing; “Hard” Editing, or Requests to Improve or Re-Work Manuscript; Developmental Editing/Consulting/Ghostwriting. 

Manuscripts may be submitted either electronically or on hard copy, as you prefer. Before editing commences, an Agreement between Author and Editor will be signed and exchanged manually or electronically, stating the nature of the editng services the fee required, and an estimated completion date. 

For Electronic Editing:  Send me your manuscript via email attachment, in MS Word or RTF format, single-spaced and page-numbered, with your name and title of your manuscript at the top of each page.  Other formatting consists of paragraph indents, chapter headings, etc., in Times New Roman or Courier 12-point font.  Please, no “fancy” script or colors. 

You will receive an acknowledgment of receipt within 24 hours. 

I will use the “red-line” method of editing, with comments/insertions noted in parenthesis in blue.  If you are unfamiliar with this process, it will be explained to you. A separate summary of edits will also be sent to explain the reasons for such edits, and suggestions on how the work may be improved. 

For Hard Copy Editing:  Send your manuscript via postal mail of your choice (USPS, FedEx, United Parcel Service, etc) but please do not send via Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, Registered Mail, or any other means where my signature is requested upon receipt.  If your manuscript is returned to the Post Office, etc. for lack of my signature (because I may have been away from my office upon delivery), retrieving it from such delivery services actually delays beginning the editing process.  Regular mail is more cost effective than other means, and this will be my mode of choice for returning your work. 

I will edit with a red pen, making comments/insertions in the margins.   A separate summary of edits will also be sent to explain the reasons for such edits, and suggestions on how the work may be improved. 

For either means of submission, and for all levels of editing, I will copyedit for sentence construction, grammar, syntax and the general use of language. 

For all levels of editing, I will check for the following:

·        Punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and grammar

·        Subject-verb agreement

·        Errors in word usage

·        Consistency in spelling, hyphenation, and numerals

·        Repetition of words in the same paragraph

·        Consistency and adherence to established format and style standards.

·        Other errors not stipulated. 

·        Setting

·        Dialogue

·        Characterization

·        Plot and Plot Advancement

·        Opening and Closing Impact

·        Copyright Infringement (Lyrics to songs, even Bible verses must have copyright permission noted.)

At the same time, I will not interfere with the author’s “voice” or style; thus, your work remains distinctly your work. . 

TYPES OF EDITING AVAILABLE:

Copy editing/Proofreading

Copy editing considers sentence construction, grammar, syntax and the general use of language.  This basic level of editing is primarily objective and applies basic, accepted rules of grammar and stipulated style.  At this level, the editor does not deal with the content’s ability to communicate, but rather with the manner in which that content is presented.  In addition to correcting indisputable errors, copy editing at one half  (1/2) cent per word includes everything covered in Copy Proofing and also addresses the following:

·        Punctuation, capitalization, spelling and grammar

·        Subject-verb agreement

·        Parallel construction

·        Errors in word usage (such as the use of imminent for eminent or nauseous for nauseated)

·        Consistency in spelling, hyphenation and numerals

·        Proper sequencing in lists

·        Consistency and adherence to established format and style standards

·        Other errors not stipulated. 

·        Setting

·        Dialogue

·        Characterization

·        Plot and Plot Advancement

·        Opening and Closing Impact

·        Copyright Infringement (Lyrics to songs, even Bible verses must have copyright permission noted.

“Hard” Editing, or Requests to Improve or Re-Work Manuscript

At your request, and with a fee to be negotiated (generally beginning at $10.00 per hour or two cents per word, depending on the complexity of the revisions), with the fee to be negotiated before beginning the project, I will first scan your manuscript for content, and then read carefully for cohesiveness, clarity, continuity and comprehension of the entire work.  Such changes, deletions, insertions, etc. may involve one or more of the following:

Suggestions to combine or eliminate certain threads in the book; to add more text in some areas and delete others; to restructure entire blocks of text to add the reader’s comprehension of the story line; to add or eliminate prologues, epilogues, or other devices to advance the plot; to further develop major characters and/or eliminate minor characters and/or sub-plots to ensure an unbroken narrative; and other major editing as necessary.

Although a “hard edit” involves more ego-crushing criticism, it is often more beneficial to the author, since any complete reading and re-work of the entire manuscript can be accomplished in one process, and while more costly than a simple edit, is more cost effective in the long run than deciding after the initial edit that you would like a major improvement in your manuscript.

No major revisions of your work will be undertaken without a consultation at each step, which is included in the fee.  The consultation will be either via email or telephone or both, whichever the author and editor agree upon. 

Developmental Editing/Consulting/Ghostwriting

This type of editing involves close collaboration between author and editor, during which time an incomplete manuscript, outline or idea for a book, article or screenplay becomes a completed, ready-to-submit-to-a-publisher document.  On very rare instances, I will consider this type of project, with fees to be determined before commencing, based upon estimated time involved and degree of difficulty in development.  Fees will begin at $10.00 per hour.  Both parties should be aware of the time involved and be willing to cooperate at each stage of writing to completion. 

Depending on the complexity of the project, ghostwriting or co-authoring, while the author will retain the by-line, the editor will appreciate mention in the Acknowledgements section of the final product. 

STANDARD FEES:

Deposit Required

A minimum fee of $50.00 is required for all services, no matter what the length of the project. The same care and attention to detail will be observed for any project, whatever its size.  

Midway through the editing project, the Editor will invoice the author along with the pages edited thus far, requesting full fee paid before work continues on the second half of the manuscript.  I am sorry to be forcced to do this, but several clients have not paid the amount due at the end of the project.  I will hold a manuscript hostage. "No payment, no edits." The $50.00 deposit will be deducted from the total amount due at the end of the services.  If either party cancels the project at any time, the $50.00 fee will be retained by the editor. 

Fee Quotes and Estimates:

Quotes for editing reflect comparable rates.  Quotes are by the word or by the project, listing the project requirements and the editorial service provided. 

Besides the minimum charge of $50.00 due for any type or size of the project, my standard fee for proofreading/copy editing is one half cent (1/2 cent) per word. 

“Hard” Editing, or Requests to Improve or Re-Work Manuscript: Fee to be negotiated before editing begins; generally beginning at two cents per word, or $10.00 per hour, depending on the complexity of the revisions.

Hard-editing/ghostwriting projects will be negotiable from a minimum of $20.00 per hour to completion of the project.  Any exception to these standards will be discussed with the author before commencing the project. 

E-mail requests for “ballpark” estimates are always welcome, but no firm quotes will be provided for unexamined projects. 

“Start of Service” Defined: 

Each project is handled in the order in which it is received.  For purposes of defining a “start” of the project, an email will be sent to the author stating the editing has begun, along with an estimated length of time to complete.  This will in no way be binding, but is merely an estimate. 

Scheduling of projects is flexible but reasonable.  Fast turn-arounds are standard and “emergency service” will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

CONTRACTS/AGREEMENTS:  (Provided Under Separate Document)            

For the satisfaction and peace of mind of the client and editor, a written Agreement/Contract will be offered detailing

·        the service(s) to be provided

• the schedule and estimated completion date
• the rate

INVOICES:

Upon completion of half the project, an invoice for services rendered shall be emailed or sent via USPS to the author, detailing

• type of editing performed
• word count
• beginning and end date
• deposit paid subtracted from amount due
• total amount due

If payment has already been received, the amount previously paid will be noted on the invoice, showing a “zero” balance. 

FEES FOR PRESENTATIONS/ LECTURES:

(Contract Provided Under Separate Document)

Note:  Expectations of my presentation/workshop/lecture to organization should be precise and stated in writing as to

• subject matter
• length of presentation

Any changes in subject matter, format, etc., requiring an adjustment of spoken or written material by the speaker/presenter should be made immediately in an email at least 24 hours before my departure for the event; if not received, there will be an extra $150.00 charge for revising the material. 

The fee for the above begins at $150.00 for speaking/lecture/ per event.  No billings should be sent to my address.  Travel, meals and lodging should be arranged by the organization well within the time limits necessary to plan my schedule.  Written documentation and confirmation shall be updated and emailed up to the day of departure for the event. 

Payment should be presented upon my departure from the event. 

FEES FOR WORKSHOPS:

In the event where I am the sole facilitator of the workshop, the fee shall be as above, as well as other stipulations. 

If I am a panel member, and not the sole facilitator, my fee will be adjusted accordingly, in agreement with the sponsor of the event.  Travel arrangements, meals, etc. will remain as stated above.