Will your editing change my style/voice?

I edit, not rewrite. It's up to you to make the word choices and phrase your thoughts. My editing may include suggestions for wording, or only direction such as "stronger/more active word needed here." With fat pared from your writing and sound grammar and structure, your voice and style will be revealed.

Do you work on partial manuscripts?

No. Please do not send a sample for a free edit if your manuscript is not complete.

How do you charge?

Editing fees are based on the number of words in your manuscript and the quality of the manuscript. Multiply your word total by the base rate for the service you want as quoted in the Rates section. must follow professional formatting.

The base editing rate may be increased if your book is extremely complex or requires many corrections and intensive editing. I will provide a firm price, which will be locked in with a contract.

How can I pay?

With a money order, personal check, or  PayPal for payment with a major credit card.

Can I pay in installments?

I will consider up to four payments due between contract signing and completion of editing.

Do you accept manuscripts on disk or via email attachment?

Yes.

Do you edit on "hard" copy or onscreen (word processor files)?

I do the first edit onscreen, then print out the result (at no extra charge) and line edit the hard copy--it's too easy to miss punctuation gaffes on a monitor screen. If you use Microsoft Word, I use the tracking & comments features to record and show changes, deletions, comments, etc. With WordPerfect, I add comments.

Can you help me find an agent or publisher?

No, that's not my business. I suggest the Guide to Literary Agents or the Writer's Digest Writer's Market. Writer's Digest also publishes a market guide devoted to fiction.

Will my edited book be published?

Nobody can tell you that. I cannot guarantee that having your work edited will result in either representation by an agent or publication by a publisher. I can only assure you that it will be a much-improved, professional-caliber manuscript (if the editorial changes are implemented), but only an agent or publisher can make the call for marketability.

Can I email my fifteen-page sample for free evaluation?

Yes. Attach a document in .doc, .wpd, .txt, or .rtf format to your email. A Word .doc is best for me.  Please note that samples for an editing project MUST be from a COMPLETED mansucript for a full-length book.

Do you edit fiction or non-fiction?

I am interested in working with both fiction and non-fiction.

How long will it take to edit my manuscript?

Depending on book length and backlog, average time is two to four weeks. Manuscripts are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis and are scheduled when a signed contract is received.

Should I include a synopsis?

If you wish. A synopsis or outline helps me understand the plot or structure of your book.