I offer editing services for novels, creative non-fiction manuscripts, and short stories, including flash fiction, to fit with the budgets and needs of my clients. Right now, I am keeping the options small, but that is to better provide the attention to the work of my clients that they deserve. If you need help deciding which option is best for you, or there is a service I do not have listed, please contact me: alwaysalysemg@gmail.com
Line Edit Option
Cost: $3 per 1,000 words
This focuses on grammar, word
choices, flow, and sentence structure. I focus on the artistic side, to help
you create a steady and strong voice.
This includes many notes and
tracked changes within the piece. It will help your piece to become more
concise, by looking for issues such as adverb usage, overused words, purple
prose (words or phrases that are too flowery and thus unnecessary), point of
view changes, confusing sentences, fragments, describing problems (too much or
too little), unnatural or awkward dialogue, cliché phrases, etc.
Sometimes developmental and
line editing can overlap in the way that they are done, but for this option I
do not look at or point out the issues that pertain to characterization,
scenes, or plot. This is a good option for those that are confident with their
story on a whole, but struggle with their prose and structure.
Development and Line Edit
Option
Cost: $5 per 1,000 words
This option allows you to
receive both developmental and line editing done at the same time. If you have
not received an edit or critique like this before, be prepared. I try to be as
detailed as possible, and do not sugar coat. Be ready to get many notes. Don't
fear though, even if there is plenty that needs fixing, I strive to find
positives as well. Don't let the feedback get you down.
Developmental editing is more
about the content of the story, than the structure. It is about the set up of
the scenes, the characterization, and the plot. It is the substance that makes
the story a story.
I will provide both chapter
by chapter breakdowns when it comes to the novels and nonfiction manuscripts.
All pieces will receive overall comments.
For the chapter breakdowns, I
will list primary issues for each one. I will treat each chapter as if it is
its own story, by paying close attention. Does the chapter have sufficient
conflict that is necessary to the piece? Does it push the plot forward? Does it
provide information not already there, that is essential? Is it free of plot
holes? Inconsistencies? Character issues?
Overall comments look at the
entire story, and what they provide to it. Characterization, plot, and settings
are all looked at closely. I will point out inconsistencies: "rules"
of the story that are often in SciFi and Fantasy genres that make not work or change,
timeline issues (if the order of events makes sense), parts that may be
missing, continuity problems, plot holes, confusing elements, point of view,
clichés, etc.
Other factors that I will
look at are: how to improve the story's flow, how strengthen the characters
(both their personalities, use, and journeys), notes on the tension and
emotions, notes on where to shorten or lengthen word counts, and sometimes,
opinions that are to help you figure out how to improve both the content and
marketability of the piece.
Professional Package Option
Cost: $10 per 1,000 words
This option grants you three
separate rounds of editing, where after each time, I will send the manuscript
back to allow for changes to be made: two developmental and line edits and one
line edit. This is to help the writer to work out any bumps and problems within
the piece and get it to a highly polished level. This package will take the
longest, but is worth the wait and effort. This is along the lines of the sort
of process that most publishing houses would require if you were to go through
them.
Bonus: if needed, after the
last edit, I will comb through the manuscript a fourth time, free of charge.
Trial Edit Option
This trial run option is for
pieces that are longer than 10,000 words. Send me the first 2,000 words of your
manuscript, and I will do a trial line edit for $2 or a trial developmental and
line edit for $4. If you decide to hire me to edit your full piece, I will
deduct this amount from your bill. This does not opt for comments on plot or a
complete writing report, since it is only a sliver of your work.
Turnaround Time
The time it takes to edit a
piece depends on a few factors. The length of the piece. How much work it
requires. The package chosen. And how many clients are booked ahead of you.
Before you pay, I will discuss with you the pricing/payment method, an
approximate start date, and an estimated delivery time. Short story edits have
a quicker turnaround than novels and nonfiction manuscripts. I schedule first come,
first serve. If you choose me to edit for you, I will put you on a list stating
the order in which I've been contacted, what sort of piece you have, and if you
need a rush. I will state that I give my clients' work the attention it
deserves, and believe in quality over quantity.
NOTES
If your piece is less than 1,000 words, I will still take it (ex: flash
fiction). And for pieces that don't equal out to the straight thousand markers
(such as 80,725 words for instance), that is fine. I will figure out the
pricing according to the way option chosen.
Pricing per word break down per option:
Line Edit Option: $0.003 per word
Developmental and Line Edit Option: $0.005 per word
Professional Package Option: $0.010 per word
If you are in need of
services and these pricings do not work for you, contact me, and we will
discuss other methods of payment. If you are a small pub wishing to hire my
services for multiple pieces, contact me, and we will discuss the option of a
flat rate. Negotiations are possible.
Time to pay? If you are doing
the trial option or your piece is less than 1,000 words, I require payment in
full before the editing process can begin. Otherwise, I require half of the
payment at the start before I begin to edit, and the rest of the payment at the
end. AKA, half up front, the rest upon delivery. If this does not work for you,
as I've previously stated, contact me and we will talk.
I cannot start the editing
process until I acquire the payment method agreed upon. If we agree to a
pricing and I do have at least part of the payment, I will have to put your
piece on hold and move forward with another's work, and return to yours once I
do have said payment.
I ask that the piece be
legible. Do not use any fancy fonts that may make it difficult to read. Also,
if possible, please save the file as a .doc (Microsoft Word) and double space.
This will make it easier for me to open the file as well as make commenting
easier. If you cannot, it is understandable. I will work with you to make sure
that the file will open properly.
To Book My Services
To hire me as your editor,
send an email to alwaysalysemg@gmail.com with the following:
-Your name.
-Pen name, if you have one.
(Some writers will email using their legal names and their documents will have
their pen name, which can cause some confusion for both parties.)
-Title and genre of your
piece.
-The type of piece (novel, creative
non-fiction manuscript, short stories, flash fiction).
-The word count of your piece.
-Which editing option you would like.
-When you would like the piece's edit carried out
(such as if you need a rush or not).
-Your PayPal email (If you do not have an account
with PayPal, I also accept mailed checks and money orders).
-Any questions, expectations,
concerns, or comments.
Speaking of questions,
comments, concerns...if you have any, please contact me.
Contact:
alwaysalysemg@gmail.com
