I charge according to the type of editorial service you need for your
manuscript. Do you need a complete manuscript evaluation or a simple
line edit? Are you submitting your work for professional publication or
simply trying to sell it to your friends? If the former, then a complete
evaluation might be the most productive and help you sell your book by
presenting it in its best possible light.
A complete manuscript evaluation includes things such as pointing out
plot holes, logic gaps, structural problems, weak characterization,
pacing problems, failing to meet genre expectations (not meeting the
target audience's expectations), etc. These problems are not addressed
in a simple line edit, where an editor proofreads only for typos and
corrects grammar and misspellings, etc. While a "clean" manuscript is
good, if the basic structure of the story is weak it can be easily
rejected by publishers and agents. And a poorly structured book can be
easily ridiculed by critics and readers if you self-publish. (If you
truly believe in your work, you won't want to rush it out there
ill-prepared, which is why having a publisher/agent on your side is
always to your advantage.)
I charge by the standard 250 word per page, 12 point font, one inch
margins, double space. For example, a 40,000 word manuscript comes in at 160 standard
pages. I can do a partial edit (such as the first chapter or first
50 standard pages) for a flat rate. Depending on how much work needs to
be done, I usually charge between $2 - $5 a standard page.
Online Special--I will do a "short in-depth critique" of the first 25 pages of your manuscript for a flat rate of $50. Contact me for details.
Publishing is a tough business. You can't afford to waste an editor's or
agent's valuable time. Get your book in shape! Contact me today at
cynthianna@hotmail.com with the words "Editorial Services" in the subject line.
