Editing: From substantive edits of 200,000-word novels to everything in between, I’ve edited newsletters, press releases, short fiction by newbies, novellas by professionals, and even legal documents. Very competitive rates and longer projects are negotiable. Read below, or visit my editing website.

Q: What is substantive editing?
A:  In short, it’s an in-depth critique with suggested structural and thematic editing that must be done before a manuscript is submitted to a publisher. It’s a deep reading with the editor and writer working as a team to improve the manuscript.

Q: What is copyediting?
A:  Copyediting is a little less drastic than substantive editing, and a little more bookish.  It’s making sure there’s consistency in the text, line by line; it’s fact-checking, error-eliminating work.

Q: What is manuscript evaluation?
A:  This is what it seems to be: a read through with comments, suggestions, a summing up of the work and how the writer has arrived there (or hasn’t yet arrived there).

Design: I have extensive experience with book design (layout, typography, covers) and finding suitable publishing venues for self-publishing projects (or a list of appropriate publishers for more traditional publishing approaches).

Experience

I was editor of NB Ink, the newsletter of the Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick, for over ten years. I am editor of the literary journal Galleon and have worked with dozens of authors on individual projects, both fiction and non fiction (and a few poetry manuscripts). References are available upon request.

Rates

Costs vary based on the amount of work (hours) a manuscript may need.  Generally,  but not always, a first edit of a 70,000-90,000 word novel will fall between $1300 – $1800. I do a sample section, estimate the time required, and give a quote. Manuscript evaluation, on the other hand, will be $400-$500 for a similar-sized project. On shorter projects I charge $50 per hour.  For non-profits, I do offer a special rate.

I suggest you head to my editing website, but feel free to contact me below as well.