I am a freelance copy and content editor who is currently available for new projects as of January 2024. If you are interested in working with me, please fill out my contact form and I will get back to you as soon as possible with my availability. My recent clients have included both self-published authors and authors with HarperCollins, Fortress Press, Titan Publishing, Sourcebooks, and Lee & Low.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS: I request that all new clients provide their manuscript for review before I make any final judgments on pricing and turnaround time. Base rates and times are given as a guide, only — I reserve the right to increase rates based on my assessment of your project and goals. Sample edits with Track Changes enabled are available to clients with book-length projects for a flat rate of $50/hour.
For book-length projects, base pricing is determined by word count, although rates may also increase depending on complexity and my current workload. For articles, essays, advertising copy, and other pieces under 10,000 words, I reserve the right to charge an hourly rate based on the specifics of the project. Expedited projects are accepted on a case-by-case basis and incur a 20% rush fee.
Payment. Payment is expected in full upfront through Paypal unless the total is $300 or more, at which point a 50% deposit is acceptable with the balance required upon completion and before delivery. Additional payment options may be made available on a case-by-case basis.
Refunds. If the requested service is not completed within the agreed-upon time frame, the client will be offered either a partial or full refund based on progress at the time of the determination, or a minimum of a 10% discount if I am asked to proceed with editing. If the former, the edited file will still be delivered. If the project is delivered on time, however, refunds will not be issued once the client receives the final edited manuscript except in cases of file corruption or incompatibility issues where my software or hardware are at fault. If these issues are discovered after delivery and it can be definitively proven that my hardware/software were the cause, I will work with the client to either correct the issue free of charge or issue a partial or full refund. (Rest assured: this has never happened to date!)
By hiring me, you are acknowledging that professional editing services cannot guarantee sales or positive reception of the content of a published piece and you will not use either outcome to judge my performance in public forums.
Content restrictions. I have very few hard limits when it comes to the types of content I am willing to edit, but I require a content warning if your work contains any of the following: gore/mutilation, sexual or domestic violence, child abuse, dubious/non-consensual sex (statutory rape, incest, severe power imbalances, etc.), or explicit bigotry against marginalized groups. I will not reject a project simply because it contains any of these elements, but I will be able to serve you better (and safeguard my own well-being!) if I know what to expect. Please note, however, that I reserve the right to refuse any project (or issue a full refund on a previously accepted project), that I find objectionable for any reason.
Copy Editing
Using Microsoft Word (or Google Docs upon request), I will edit your manuscript and correct any passages that are unclear or inaccurate. Turnaround time depends on word count and my current workload, but book-length projects (~50,000-90,000 words) are generally completed within 10 business days (two weeks). A copy edit entails the following:
- Removal of typos; missing or incorrect punctuation, words, or phrases; and spell checking. At this most basic level, I will make sure that your manuscript is comprehensible and cohesive on a technical level and that no reader will be drawn out of the narrative because something doesn’t “sound/look right.”
- Flow. Typos are one thing, but do sentences flow easily into the next? Are there run-on sentences or fragments that make the reader stumble? In this step, I focus on feedback that will make the writing clear and concise. If you’ve used a word three times in one sentence, I’ll suggest a synonym. If a paragraph is too long, I’ll help divide it into more reasonable chunks.
- Rewrites. If I notice any minor issues with flow, grammar, or comprehension, I may change the sentence accordingly. Note that this is only on a sentence level, meaning I will not introduce any new information, just tweak what’s already there.
These are always suggestions, of course. If my rewrite would require anything more than tweaking the order or the wording, then I will put my suggested edits in the comments section rather than change the manuscript itself. - Basic fact-checking. Any statistics or descriptions of real-life information will be verified through reputable online channels. If you mention a specific street or neighborhood in Los Angeles, for example, I will look up those places to make sure, a) that the names are spelled correctly, and b) that you describe their appearance/position accurately. Do you describe a drive from Los Angeles to San Diego taking place in less than an hour, even though it should take 3–4? I’ll let you know.
- Consistency. I make sure that the spelling of words and the usage of industry-specific jargon are consistent throughout.
- Formatting. In this step, I make sure paragraphs are properly indented and new chapters or sections are properly labeled. This includes consistency of font style and size and use of italics, bold, and underlining.
- Style. Chicago Manual of Style is the standard for most books, so I make sure that all said projects I work on adhere to its guidelines, along with Merriam Webster’s New World College Dictionary spellings, unless the client explicitly requests otherwise. Associated Press style is the standard for most other industries excluding academia.
Base rate: $0.008/word
Content Editing
Although I also use Track Changes to perform content edits and may correct any glaring typos I see as I go along, I will focus on the big picture, not surface-level grammar or spelling mistakes. If you are equally interested in both content and copy editing, please make this clear in your inquiry, as the rate may increase accordingly. Turnaround time is about one month for a book-length project.
For a content edit, I will give impressions on your craft (plot, characters, voice, etc.) as I read. If there are any areas you think I should pay special attention to, I will make sure to give more detailed commentary on those. Some additional questions I like to answer: How does this content fit within the parameters of its industry and genre? Will it meet a reader’s expectations? Are there any passages that may be construed as offensive?
As an editor, I believe that any content that is harmful to marginalized people is also harmful to a writer’s craft and the quality of a piece of work; therefore, if I encounter something that I feel may be culturally insensitive, I will bring attention to it and advise that you seek out feedback from an expert. Please note, however, that it is ultimately the author’s responsibility to justify their choices, and a content edit is not the same as a sensitivity read. That said, I do offer cultural consultation on a case-by-case basis related to the following areas:
- Black American identity and culture, particularly in the Midwest
- Bisexuality/pansexuality/queerness/woman-loving-woman
- Non-binary/genderqueer identity (AFAB)
- Mental illness, especially bipolar disorder, anxiety, major depression, suicidal ideation, and self-harm
- Chronic illness
- Fatness
After I finish reading the manuscript, I’ll compose an edit letter where I’ll go further in-depth regarding my comments and suggestions and offer additional resources to help guide you during revisions. After you receive the letter and edited document, I’m available by email to answer questions and clarify for up to two weeks.
Base rate: $0.03/word
Other Services
Editing for Content Under 10,000 Words. Due to the high variability of this category, I am unable to provide a base rate; please contact me for a quote.
Proofreading. Proofreading projects are accepted on a case-by-case basis as my schedule allows; however, I have for the most part terminated my primary proofreading services for private clients.
Developmental editing. Do you have an amazing idea for a book but feel you would benefit from editorial consultation during the process of writing it? I offer limited developmental edits as my schedule permits.
