New pricing effective June 11, 2018.

Prices are given in ranges because some texts require more time than others. I will work on a small portion of the text to determine the price for that particular job. (Note the discounts at the bottom of the page.)

Sometimes a document requires more extensive work than the writer realizes. Thus, I require that the writer send at least a portion of the text (depending upon its type and length) for me to determine the level of work needed. The fee for this analysis is $25.00. I will work with the sample long enough (usually an hour) to determine the appropriate level of editing. I will then return the portion edited, showing necessary and suggested changes (using Microsoft’s Track Changes feature), and will give my price for the job.

Important notes (do not skip over):

Fees for work sent one section (or chapter) at a time may be adjusted if the quality of the writing changes. Notice will be given before work continues.

Do not put off having your manuscript edited until the last minute. Do yourself a favor, and give your editor plenty of time. It will likely take more time than you think.

Proofreading

Proofreading is the final cleanup before a work is printed. It presupposes that copyediting has already been done. Proofreading covers such things as:

• Typos
• Spelling
• Punctuation
• Spacing
• Verb tense
• Singular or plural
• Minor grammatical problems

The writer can see the changes by using Microsoft Word’s Compare Documents feature to compare the original with the edited version. If along the way I discern that the text needs more grammatical and structural work than observed in the sample pages sent initially, I will notify the writer that the text needs a higher level of editing and the cost. The writer may decide whether to continue with proofreading, move to a deeper level of editing, or cease work on the text, in which case the writer will be charged only for the text already proofed.

Price: 1.5 cents per word

Basic Copyediting

Copyediting includes the elements of proofreading plus:

• Formatting*
• Word choice
• Basic sentence structure
• Consistency of word usage and tone
• General comments on the appropriateness of style given the intended audience

*The Chicago Manual of Style is my usual go-to style manual. As needed, I can switch to Turabian or to MLA. Universities often have their own style guides or supplements for theses and dissertations; it is the student’s responsibility to advise me which style guide is required and to obtain any university-provided supplements for me before work will commence.

*Another tool I use for specifically Christian literature is Robert Hudson’s The Christian Writer’s Manual of Style. Sometimes this manual and CMoS conflict, in which case I usually defer to CMoS.

The writer can see the changes I make by using Microsoft Word’s Compare Documents feature to compare the original with the edited version.

Price: 1.5 to 2.5 cents per word

Heavy Copyediting

Heavy copyediting is my designation for editing which combines basic copyediting and line editing. This is my most comprehensive level of editing and should be considered by all writers.

By line editing (sometimes called stylistic editing), I refer to a concern with making the text flow well and the ideas understandable. Sentences may be re-worded or paragraphs re-worked for clarity and flow. Thus, the focus is on readability and comprehensibility, with how well ideas and arguments are expressed. Whereas basic copyediting is mostly a matter of rules, stylistic editing is more a matter of judgment. I look for things such as:

• Awkward use of terminology
• Wordy or awkward sentences
• Unclear or confusing passages
• Paragraphs or short sections that should be rearranged to make an argument clear

Heavy copyediting is especially suitable especially for writers for whom English is not their first language. It is also good for academic writers who need to make difficult concepts clear, and for those who desire to write for a popular audience.

Important note: Because a thesis or dissertation must be the work of the student, changes beyond those generally made in copyediting will be made in the margins, not in the text. Thus, I may suggest one or more ways to re-word a sentence, re-organize a paragraph, or present a thought, and the writer is responsible to make the changes in the text. Or because the meaning of a sentence may not be clear, I will ask for clarification or may offer suggested wordings if I think I may know the intended meaning. This will be done in small sections (perhaps a chapter or two at a time) so I can proof the re-worked text as I go along. After the writer has reviewed each chapter, he or she should return it to me for final proofreading. This is done at no extra charge.

The writer can see the changes I make in the text by using Microsoft Word’s Compare Documents feature to compare the original with my edited version.

Price: 2 to 3 cents per word

Text Review

This level is for writers who want to find out in the early stages if they are on the right track with their writing. Is the writing clear and not stilted or awkward? Are the arguments clear? Academics who wish to write for a popular audience might also benefit from an early review. Is the writing such as can be grasped by readers who aren’t familiar with the language of academia? In both cases, some correction at the beginning can save a good bit of time (and expense) later on.

Price: $25.00 per hour

Website Editing for Non-Native Speakers

For Websites in English written by non-native English speakers. See the page “Editing for ESL Writers” for details.

Price: $30.00 per hour

Discounts

Word count                  Discounts         Student discounts
10,000 – 24,999             5%                  10%  
25,000 – 49,999           10%                  15%
50,000 – 99,999           15%                  20%
100,000 and up            20%                  25%  

Payment

The non-refundable document analysis fee ($25.00) will be paid in advance. If the writer decides to proceed, the text will be divided roughly into thirds (by chapters or natural sections in the text), and payments will be made after each section is comcpleted as follows:

If paying per word:

• First section: 30%
• Second section: 30%
• Third section: 40%

If paying per hour, the fee will be according to the time spent on each section.