There are many levels to editing and writing services, which makes it difficult to determine pricing until I know more about your project. So let’s talk! My rates are reasonable for the high-level of editing and indexing I provide because I want you to be able to get the support you need. Keep reading if you would like to learn a little more about my services and how we might work together.
Indexing
I have received training in indexing non-fiction books but my emphasis and primary interest is cookbooks. In addition to food- and drink-related projects, I also have a love for and a lot of experience with music writing, memoir, travel writing, and general lifestyle (architecture and design, home and garden, crafts, DIY, parenting, aging), self-improvement, and business development and marketing. And I have a bachelor of science in chemistry, so I can handle a lot of scientific topics. I am open to any type of cookbook or drink-related book, but I have a personal interest in pasta and Italian cuisine, bread baking, and island cultures. I have a significant collection of cookbooks of Caribbean, and Hawaiian cuisines.
Indexing Rates
My rates depend upon the complexity of the work. The most important factors are the difficulty or density of the text. If the work needs to be rushed, that will increase the fee. My standard rate is $5 per indexable page. An “indexable page” is any page that needs to be indexed. Some books require that photographs, charts, or illustrations be indexed. Some don’t. For a 50-page book, for example, with 40 indexable pages, that would likely cost $200. If you’re not sure how the rates will work out, let’s just talk about it. I can be flexible, and I would prefer you to get a high quality service than to skip it or go with someone who won’t do as good of a job as I will.
Manuscript evaluation
A manuscript evaluation can come before a developmental edit. This is a high-level critique that is useful if you want to be sure you’re on the right track before you continue the work. I will perform one read-through, provide you with comments, and an editorial letter that explains my thoughts on the work and strengths and weaknesses. Some editors treat “manuscript evaluation” and “developmental edit” as two names for roughly the same service. My standard rate for this is $0.01 per word.
Developmental edit
A developmental edit is often the first stage of any sort of written work. This is the stage, where you work with an editor to determine what is working with your manuscript in its current form and what is not working. A developmental edit helps to identify areas where the arc is strong or where it’s not strong. If there are any holes, or if the information could better makes its case in a different order, this stage is when that conversation happens. Typically this involves reading through the entire manuscript (or whatever stage the project is at, even if it’s just a spreadsheet or an outline) and talking about what needs to be fixed. “Fixing” a manuscript is not about the author being wrong and the editor being right. It’s about doing what needs to be done to tell your story in the most effective way, to make the strongest case, to reach the most people. You might think that a developmental edit is about the editor giving you her “opinion.” While in some ways it is an opinion, and each editor will have their own view, it’s more than that. It’s an opinion built on experience. A developmental editor is someone helping you see your manuscript with fresh eyes, the way a future reader will see it for the first time. By the end of a developmental edit, you will have a clear picture of your manuscript’s strengths, a plan for addressing its weak points, and a path forward for the next stage of the work. A developmental edit is appropriate for cookbooks too! Read my blog post that talks about how a developmental editor can help with your cookbook project. What you’ll get: I will provide you with a chapter-by-chapter summary and graphical representations of things like pacing and character arc, plot holes, timeline consistency, and the overall arc. I’ll make recommendations (with page numbers) of sections to be deleted, expanded, or moved. This work is not done with track changes. It’s a guide for you to go back in and make the adjustments. If you want a manuscript evaluation and a developmental edit, I credit the fee for the evaluation since some of the work has already been done. My standard rate for this is $0.0125 per word.
line edit
A line edit is editing done at the sentence level. This is a polishing stage. I will use Track Changes to focus on individual word choices and ensure that the details are clear. This is where I look closely at how each sentence reads and how it moves the action forward. I’ll look at rhythm and flow, tone consistency, and clarity of meaning. I’ll suggest changes for repetition, overused words, clichés, imprecise verbs, etc. My focus is on clarity and accuracy, while keeping your voice intact. A line edit isn’t really looking at the structure of your manuscript, although if I notice something worth flagging along the way, I will let you know. Instead, a line edit is about precision, making sure every sentence is clear, well-written, and follows any style that needs to be part of the work. I am NOT a grammarian, so I won’t point out every grammar rule you’re breaking. I’m more concerned about whether you’re writing reads naturally and serves your voice. A line edit includes an editorial letter that explains my changes and recommendations. This does not include a second pass. My standard rate for this is $0.015 per word.
Copyedit
Copyediting is a closer, more technical pass than a line edit. This is where I check your manuscript against a style guide for consistency in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, hyphenation, and formatting. Chicago Manual of Style, is typical for books, but I also am very familiar with Associated Press style. I’ll fact-check names, dates, and details where possible, and flag anything that seems inconsistent or incorrect. Copyediting also includes checking for continuity errors, like a character’s eye color changing between chapters or a timeline that doesn’t add up. This is done using Track Changes, along with a style sheet that documents the choices made throughout your manuscript so that future editors, proofreaders, or you can stay consistent. My standard rate for a copyedit is $0.0125 per word.
Proofread
Proofreading is the final check before your manuscript goes to print or publication. By this stage, your manuscript should already be edited, formatted, and close to final. I will read through carefully to catch typos, spelling errors, missing words, punctuation mistakes, and formatting inconsistencies that may have been introduced or missed during earlier revisions. Proofreading is only meant to make sure the version that reaches readers is clean and polished. My standard rate for this is $0.01 per word.
To put it in dollars: An 80,000-word manuscript would come to $800 (manuscript evaluation), $1,000 (developmental edit), $1,000 (copyedit), $1,200 (line edit), and $800 (proofreading). But, I’ll start with an assessment.
Other questions you might have
Will I use AI in my editing? No. I will not use AI in my editing. Why not? Because I have enough experience and skill that I don’t need to. And also, because a lot of the time, the advice that AI gives is really bad.
Will I do a sample edit? Yes. I will do a sample edit. For a flat fee of $75, I will edit up to 5 pages of your manuscript so you can see my approach and decide if we’re a good fit before committing to a full project. If you move forward with another stage of editing, I’ll credit that $75 toward your project fee. But first! I will ask you what kind of editing you are looking for. That will help me to be sure if what you are asking for is actually what your project needs. I’ll also need to know if there’s a deadline. While I am very flexible with work, I do need to be able to plan around other work I might have going on. I will also want to have a look at your writing sample before committing to the sample edit.
Will I create a contract? Yes. I will create a contract specific to your project. I consider myself to be on the same side as my client, but I will cover the bases of what work I am committing to do and what I will deliver to you as well as what you will do to help support the work.
What file formats do I work with? Microsoft Word is the editorial standard. I use Google Docs all the time. I’ve also edited in Canva.
How long will my project take? Turnaround time depends on the length and complexity of your project, as well as what else I have on my plate at the time. As a general guide, a manuscript evaluation typically takes 1 to 2 weeks, a developmental edit typically takes 3 to 5 weeks, a line edit or copyedit typically takes 2 to 4 weeks, and a proofread typically takes 1 to 2 weeks. Shorter manuscripts will take less time, and longer or more complex ones may take more. I’ll always give you a specific timeline once I’ve had a chance to look at your project, and I’ll let you know as early as possible if anything changes.
Do I require a deposit? Yes. I require 50% of the project fee before I begin work, with the remaining 50% due upon completion. Once your final payment is received, I’ll release the edited files. This structure protects both of us because you have assurance I’m committed to the project before paying in full, and I have assurance I’ll be compensated for the work once it’s done.
How many rounds of revision/feedback are included? Each service includes one round. I complete the work and return it to you. If you’d like an additional round, for example, a second look after you’ve made revisions, that can be arranged for an additional fee.
What if I have questions after I get my edits back? I’m happy to answer follow-up questions after you’ve received your edits. A few emails back and forth are included, and I’m also open to a 30-minute follow-up call if that would be more helpful than typing everything out. If your questions go beyond that, we can talk about what makes sense, whether that’s a longer call or a bit of additional time built into the fee.
Do you work with authors outside the US? I’m happy to work with authors no matter where you’re located. But my only language is English and I can only accept payment in US dollars. I’m learning Italian but I’m not that good yet!
What genres or subjects won’t I take on? I’m open to pretty much anything. My particular interests are cookbooks and food- and beverage-related books, memoir (material that deals with trauma or grief is OK), and general nonfiction across lifestyle, business, and self-improvement topics. If you’re not sure whether your project is a fit, reach out and I’ll let you know.
Do you sign NDAs or keep manuscripts confidential? Yes. I will sign an NDA and keep a manuscript confidential if your project requires that.
What happens if we’re not a good fit partway through? This is rare, but if it happens, either of us can end the working relationship with written notice. The deposit is non-refundable, since it reflects the time I’ve already committed to your project, and you’ll be responsible for payment for any additional work completed up to that point. I’ll always try to talk through any concerns first, since I’d rather find a way to make the relationship work than end it.
How do we get started?
1. Reach out and tell me a bit about your project and what kind of editing you think you need.
2. I’ll ask a few questions to make sure we’re matching the right service to your project, and whether you have a deadline I should know about. 3. If it’s helpful, we can start with a sample edit so you can see my approach before committing to the full project.
4. Once we’re ready to move forward, I’ll put together a contract specific to your project.
5. You’ll pay a 50% deposit to begin work, with the remaining 50% due upon completion.