Frequently Asked Questions
I’m comfortable editing a range of projects:
- annual reports
- articles
- promotional materials
- documents for stakeholders
- newsletters and publications
- website content
- training manuals
- grant proposals
My preferred genres include the following:
- how-to
- self-help
- parenting and family
- travel
- memoir
- cookbook
- educational guides
- religion and spirituality
- health and wellness
- crafts and hobbies
- history
I customize my quotes based on word count, type of work, complexity, and timeline needed.
My pricing reflects Editors Canada’s standards for rates and billing, and the Editorial Freelancers Association’s list of editorial rates. Click on the links to get an idea of what your project might cost.
Please contact me to learn more.
I accept e-transfers, cash, and credit card payments.
The editing process looks something like this:
1. Start by filling out my project submission form here so I can get a glimpse of your current needs.
2. Next, we’ll move the conversation to email where I’ll ask you a number of questions in order to understand your editing experience, your expectations of the process, your target audience, and your goals for your writing.
3. To accurately assess your editing needs and provide you with an estimate, I will need to see your manuscript, or a section of your manuscript.
4. For larger projects, I am happy to provide a free sample edit to determine if we are a good fit.
5. If we decide to work together, I will send you a letter of agreement detailing the scope, timeline, and price of the project. It’s important for me that expectations are clearly communicated.
6. Depending on the size of the project, an initial 50% may be due up front, with the remaining 50% due upon submission of the final version.
7. Throughout the edit, I will email you with any questions or clarifications I might need. I also like to keep my clients informed of my progress.
8. For a developmental edit, you will receive a full editorial report as well as in-line comments within the original manuscript. Heavier developmental edits will also include a new outline, walking you chapter-by-chapter through any needed additions or deletions to the content.
When possible, I tend to combine the line edit with the copyedit. Upon completion of this round of editing, you will receive two versions of your manuscript: one “clean” file (your edited manuscript with all of the changes accepted), and a second file showing all of the editorial suggestions.
You will also receive a style sheet listing all editorial decisions.
You can expect me to be in close communication with you throughout the project.
9. I am most comfortable using Track Changes in Word to edit your manuscript. This editing tool allows you to see both the original and the edited versions of your writing. Comments or queries will appear next to areas where I see strengths or where adjustments may be needed.
10. After receiving a completed edit, you will review the suggestions provided. Using the tools in Track Changes, you have the power to accept or reject any changes made to the document.
11. If additional levels of editing are needed, you will return the updated manuscript and I will continue with the next round of editing.
12. After the final round of edits, I am happy to review any small revisions. Larger changes or requests beyond the original agreed scope of the project will require additional payment.
13. All projects will be invoiced.
1. I find it’s easiest to start with a quick call so we can determine which editing package best suits your needs.
2. I’m able to edit in Google Docs, Adobe PDFs , Microsoft Word, Canva, and Word Press.
3. Short projects will be agreed upon over email.
4. For larger projects, once we have finalized your needs, I will send you a letter of agreement detailing the scope, timeline, and price of the project.
5. If you have selected the mid-level or advanced editing packages, you must approve the larger changes before I can begin the final copyedit.
6. Though I am happy to review any small revisions to the completed document, larger changes or requests beyond the original agreed scope of the project will require additional payment.
7. Final payment for the project will be due within 30 days of the completion of work. All payments will be invoiced.
People often confuse copyediting and proofreading.
Copyediting corrects any mechanical or grammar errors, flags any inconsistencies in the information, and works to remove anything that might be a distraction to your reader.
Proofreading examines a document in its final layout in order to catch any errors in the textual or visual elements. A final proofread should be completed before a document is ready for publishing.
I’m happy to offer my proofreading services, but if your manuscript has not gone through any other levels of editing, I will likely recommend you start with one of my editing packages.
Payment plans are available for larger projects such as book edits. If a payment plan is needed, we can customize one based on your word count and the type of editing needed.
A deposit will be required to begin work on your manuscript. Final payment is due prior to the delivery of the edited manuscript.
Yes!
For books or longer projects, I offer a free sample edit of 1,000 words.
I want you to feel comfortable choosing me as your editor. A sample edit allows you to see my editing style while giving me insight into your project’s needs. Sample edits can help determine if we are a good fit.
Though I may be a perfectionist, I am human.
No professional copyeditor or proofreader can guarantee that your text will be flawless. As studies have shown, even the most experienced professionals can correct only 95% of errors in a manuscript. Additionally, perfection is subjective. Some things you think are errors are actually choices, such as style preferences or consistency decision.
“Excellent work depends not only on the skill of the copyeditor but on the budget and schedule being adequate for the job.” (Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading)
