Manuscript Evaluation:
Is your manuscript still lacking that “something” that will make it come alive? Have you revised so many times that you’re starting to lose perspective on your own work? My manuscript evaluations go beyond a beta read to explore the strengths and weaknesses of your manuscript and help you craft a marketable book. I’ll provide actionable feedback and concrete examples that will help you develop as a writer and put your book on track for publication.
What You’ll Receive:
*Detailed in-line comments on your manuscript using Track Changes in Word
*A 7–15 page report with my feedback on plot, pacing, worldbuilding, characters, dialogue, style, grammar, and market and genre considerations. I’ll also include some specific examples of line editing to explain my feedback. In addition, you’ll receive suggestions for recommended resources that will help you to broaden your understanding of specific topics.
Price: $50 per 10k words, $100 minimum.
I can also evaluate the first several chapters of your manuscript to help you find direction in your writing. Partial evaluations have a 10k-word minimum. The length of your feedback will reflect the length of your sample.
Copyediting and Proofreading: What’s the Difference?
Both proofreaders and copyeditors are looking for errors in consistency, grammar, and punctuation, but from that point, the roles diverge.
Proofreading is the final stage of checking a manuscript. A proofreader goes over a manuscript with a fine-tooth comb to check grammar and punctuation, address any formatting issues, catch any remaining typos and misspellings from the editing process, and check facts. A proofreader will typically not comment on issues of style, and will focus on helping the manuscript reach a polished form.
Copyeditors work with the grammar and structure of sentences, with an eye to the work as a whole: they tighten up language, remove filler words, and correct grammar and spelling. A copyeditor will strive to perform these tasks with a light touch unless an author requests more substantial edits. Heavier copyediting can involve, for example, making suggestions about word choice, identifying repetitive phrases, and helping an author to strengthen dialogue.
I currently offer both proofreading and copyediting services. I will work on a sample of 1,000 words of your writing that will help familiarize you with my working style; this can also help us both identify whether you are at the proofreading stage or if you require copyediting services. Below are examples of base rates that may fluctuate depending on the maturity and complexity of your manuscript.
Current Copyediting and Proofreading Rates
Copyediting:
- Spelling
- Grammar
- Punctuation
- Consistency (e.g. character appearance, dates, timelines)
- Style and sentence structure
- Flow
Rate: 0.015 per word
ex: 80,000 word manuscript
– 1,000 word sample edit
79,000 words x 0.015 = $1,185 USD
Proofreading:
- Spelling
- Grammar
- Punctuation
- Fact-checking and consistency
Rate: 0.008 per word
ex: 80,000 word manuscript
– 1,000 word sample edit
79,000 words x 0.008 = $632 USD
*Manuscripts over 120K will include a $250 surcharge
Comprehensive Beta Reading:
I offer beta reading for authors who are looking for honest appraisal and in-depth feedback on their manuscripts. In addition to adding detailed comments to your work using Track Changes in Word, I will send you a feedback report giving an overview of my thoughts on style, plot, characters, and grammar. This service is ideal for authors looking for an in-depth assessment who would like preliminary editing feedback as they work on later drafts.
$20 per 10k words, $100 minimum.
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