Literary editing can consist of many things including, but not limited to, line editing, developmental editing, copy editing, and proofreading.
What level of editing do you need?
Let’s figure that out together. We’ll begin the conversation with your editing goals and any existing concerns you may have. Then, I will ask to review a sample of the project—about 1,500 to 3,000 words—to get a sense of its strengths and areas of improvement; this sample edit will also help you decide if my editing style is right for you.
“She worked quickly but thoroughly—and did so much more than I expected! Hailey helped focus the story, pointed out unnecessary scenes, helped rework a few confusing paragraphs, corrected several continuity issues, caught a couple of factual errors I had neglected to double-check, and tightened up the whole thing. I will definitely work with her again!” – Sue Bohme, Author
How much will it cost?
A quote will be provided for the project following the sample edit. This quote is calculated from the current word count and the estimated pages per hour at a given hourly wage; the hourly rate will vary depending on the level of work required. More extensive work, like developmental editing, will generally command a higher rate than less extensive work, like proofreading. Any miscellaneous expenses, such as materials or postage, will be discussed and approved before being added to the final invoice. (Such charges are not common.) If you are a current NaNoWriMo member, please ask about discounted rates.
The project may consist of multiple passes. These are included in the project quote. Only when you, the author, are satisfied with the story will I be satisfied with the work I’ve done. If you would like additional information about the different types of editing, I recommend this concise article from Archway Publishing available here.
What is the preferred format for a manuscript?
If possible, I prefer to edit in Microsoft Word using the Track Changes feature. This allows authors to easily view and accept edits within the manuscript.
If I feel that I cannot meet the goals you are aiming for, I will do my best to direct you to another professional resource. En Garde Editing is unable to offer assistance in the following: formatting, indexing, web editing, soliciting permissions, and guaranteeing publication.
What’s a style guide and how do you use it?
Most publishers, self or traditional, adhere to a style guide, which is a compiled reference of grammatical preferences for that group. For instance, newspapers generally adhere to the AP Style Guide, while most literary fiction tends to follow the guidance of the Chicago Manual of Style. I edit according to the latter. If you have particular preferences for certain grammatical matters, please let me know at the start of the project. Similarly, I use the Merriam-Webster dictionary for spelling preferences when multiple forms are available.
“Write. Rewrite. When not writing or rewriting, read. I know of no shortcuts.” – Larry L. King
What about genre?
I have worked on fantasy, romance, science fiction, military thrillers, horror, memoir … While I reserve the right to decline a project because of the nature of the material or theme, we have a broad field in which to play. If you have any concerns about the material within your story, let’s discuss it first.
Contract and Invoice
Prior to the start of the project, a contract is drafted and signed by both parties. Upon completion of the project, an invoice will be submitted.
Payment
Payment can be made via check, PayPal, or Venmo. Payment is typically requested within 30 days of completion of the project, but payment plans can be negotiated.