Every project is unique
Susan works with the author or publisher to establish the goals at the beginning of the project. This (along with the short sample edit) is an important step in the process to ensure both the author or publisher and Susan are comfortable to begin the project.
Key principles that Susan applies with every editing project is to try to honor the author’s voice and help the author to ensure the text is clean as well as marketable.
Below are Susan’s published rates, but there may be a variance to those based on the nature of a specific project.
Developmental Editing $50/hour ($.03-$.039/word)
Developmental editing, sometimes called substantive editing, takes a look at the “big picture” of the work. The effort can range from helping to distill a cohesive vision of the book to a chapter by chapter analysis to ensure the author’s vision is executed to its potential. This type of editorial work may suggest reorganization of passages, cutting scenes, or writing new scenes to fill in gaps.
Copyediting $40/hour ($.02-$.029/word)
Copyediting is a process to ensure the text is polished and consistent. It aims at resolving any detailed sequencing or choreography issues, will often restructure sentences for flow, ensures grammar and word usage is appropriate, and in fantasy will often keep track of world-specific topics (names, places, etc.). This focuses on ensuring proper language mechanics and consistency in the author’s voice.
The preferred resources for this service are the most current version of the Chicago Manual of Style and Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Other guides may be applied per the author’s wishes.
Manuscript Critique, Beta Read, Sensitivity Read ($.01-$.019/word)
These services are specific to judging how a manuscript may be perceived by readers.
A Manuscript Critique will offer suggestions in the way of devices used in the novel (overall plot, point of view, dialog vs. prose, showing vs. telling, etc.).
A Beta Read will show you a sense for how a reader will interpret the story and provide insight into any gaps that need filling within the novel. This is a “second set of eyes” service.
A Sensitivity Read is geared at pointing out anywhere in the text that the language might be offensive to a reader. This service would be based on a guide such as: The Diversity Style Guide by Rachele Kanigel, published by Wiley in conjunction with the website: https://www.diversitystyleguide.com/
Rates effective 01/01/2021
