FAQ

Serving writers, literary agents, and publishers since 1976

FAQ

What are your submission procedures?

Follow the instructions at: http://www.manuscriptediting.com/submission.htm. Remember, a synopsis/summary is required along with your submission.

Do you edit both fiction and nonfiction?

I have extensive experience with both.

Do you accept all submissions?

It would be unethical to accept material that I feel cannot be improved with my input. I will always pass on the submission if I feel that I am not the best match for the material (or cannot meet your deadline). I may ask if you’d like a direct referral to a writing coach/mentor who could help you rewrite the material as you learn the craft, or I may ask your permission to forward your material to an editor(s) who might be a better match for your topic or time frame. Also, I don’t edit sexually explicit, demonic, hateful, gay/lesbian, or anti-God material.

Is my submission confidential?

Definitely.

How long does it take to hear back from you?

I answer e-mail between 9 am and 9 pm weekdays (Central Time), and sporadically on weekends. On weekdays, I often answer within 10 minutes.

If I send you a chapter, will you provide a sample edit?

Only if I intend to consider your manuscript. If I turn down your manuscript, I will offer to put you in touch with editors who might be a better match for your material or time frame. The editors who accept your submission will provide a sample edit and price quote. When I do believe I’m the best editor for your project, I will perform a sample edit and provide a price quote usually within 24 hours (in other words, I’ll jump on it!).

Who are the other editors you might recommend?

I don't employ other editors, but I do network with about 50 other publishing professionals who offer similar or adjunct services. For instance, I’m more likely to consider sci-fi or historical fiction projects. If you send me a Western or a romance, I may ask your permission to send your sample to a few editors who specialize in those genres. My intent is to match the writer with the best publishing professional for the job, and sometimes that editor is *not* me.

These are fellow freelancers, therefore your agreement/arrangement is with that editor/writer, not with me. The copy editors with whom I network have all passed my editing tests. I will usually send your sample to three editors so you can compare styles. The choice of editor is yours. Of course, you can decline my help and keep shopping the Internet.

I coordinate several specialized editing and writing networks:

http://www.book-editing.com lists both copy editors and developmental editors.
http://www.writingnetwork.com focuses on business, medical, scientific, and technical communications.
I also coordinate other freelance networks that specialize in academic editing and thesis/dissertation consulting (http://www.editing-writing.com). If you want to reach any of these other editors, just follow the submission procedures on each site.

If you accept my submission do you personally perform the editing or do you farm out the work to other editors?

If I accept your submission I am your ONLY editor.

Can you work on my material right away?

Probably not. Professional editors with long track records and good reputations will have steady workloads. There are times, however, when a client reschedules and leaves a vacant spot on my calendar. My waiting list varies from 2 weeks to 2 years. Check with me and I’ll let you know my next opening.

Do you use an editing agreement / contract?

Yes. I use a simple, standard agreement that spells out the scope of the project, the cost, and schedule.

How do I get on your calendar?

I set appointments on a first-come, first-served basis. If we agree to work together, you must return the editing agreement and pay a deposit to secure your spot. You would then have your pick of available openings.

What is the turnaround time once you start?

I budget for about 25,000 words per week. A manuscript with 100k words will take about a month to complete. Editing is a slow, meticulous process.

How much will it cost?

I only charge by the word because too many factors can affect page count, such as font size, spacing, and margins. The average price range is 3 to 8 cents per word. The rate depends on the level of editing required, the complexity of the material, and the turnaround time (rush projects will be quoted the higher rate). My price is all-inclusive, meaning you will get a copy edit and critique/analysis for the same price. I cannot provide a price quote without seeing a sample.

All work is prepaid either in full or in installments. I will gladly work out payment arrangements so there is no financial hardship (details on request).

What are my payment options?

I will provide you with an authorization form that provides me with your credit card (or debit card) number (it is signed and faxed back to me). I will process your card using my office terminal. Other options are money orders or wire transfers (e.g., www.westernunion.com or www.moneygram.com). I do not take checks.

Will you edit my manuscript in exchange for a percent of profits?

No. The term for that is “on spec” (speculation). I don’t know of any editor who will work on spec. It is basically asking the editor to work for free. There’s no guarantee that a book will see a profit (or even be published).

Can I contact writers who have previously worked with you?

Sure! Some of my feedback is posted on this site. I will arrange for e-mail or phone contact, if requested.

What’s the difference between developmental/substantive editing and copyediting?
Copy editors work with the writer to make sure that the material is clear, easy to read, and error-free. As a copy editor, I start from the small picture. I begin by analyzing words, sentences, and paragraphs as I work up to the big picture. During the “first read” I deal mainly with English issues such as typos, grammatical errors, misspelled words, awkward sentence structure, and abrupt changes in point of view. The “second read” is more content-based. I watch for problems with the big picture such as plot, pacing, consistency, lack of clarity, and characterization. Because I’m now familiar with the material from start to finish, I can focus on the work’s form and purpose. In other words, the developmental edit is part of the second read.

Developmental/substantive editors go about things in the opposite order. They begin by reading the manuscript for the big picture (e.g., plot and character development). Most manuscripts are in need of major revision, so there’s no point in copyediting huge chunks of the manuscript that will be either deleted or altered. Their overall suggestions are made usually in a written report to the author rather than within the author’s copy, and the writer must figure out how to implement the suggestions. Some developmental editors will work with the author to rewrite parts or all of the manuscript.

What do I get back?

I perform all edits to the file with tracking, and my embedded comments and queries are placed at the exact spot where a problem is noted. You will receive a tracked file that shows my edits. You will also receive a clean file with all edits incorporated. Remember: these are my suggestions. You may accept or override any/some/all of my edits. The final product is yours.

What are some steps an author can take to choose an editor?

An excellent article appeared on Ciao.co.uk (a consumer review site) under the category of "Literary Editors." I have posted it on this site without alteration (and with the writer's permission). Click Here.

What other information do you need to know?

Do you have a publisher or agent in mind for your project?
Do you plan to self-publish?
Are you working toward a deadline or is your time frame flexible?
Do you have previous writing experience? Have you studied writing or joined writing/critique groups?
What help do you think you need with your project?
Finally, I want to know if I have your permission to send your manuscript to editors who might be a better match for your manuscript.

What do you expect from the authors you work with?

Be open to suggestions. The final product is yours, but don’t waste your money on editing if you’re too attached to your draft and will override all edits.
Don’t disappear on me. Let me know how I can reach you during the time I’m editing your manuscript.
Let me work. Don’t call or e-mail each day to check on progress. It’s impossible to have an overall impression until the entire manuscript is read twice.
Send your work to me on time. If you know you won’t be ready by your appointment date, let me know ASAP (at least 45 days before your appointment date) so I can reschedule you. I won’t reschedule you if you back out at the last minute.
Remember that this is a professional arrangement. Pay the correct amounts on the dates specified in the editing agreement. Don’t delay payment dates or alter payment amounts.

Do you have a policy regarding use of your name in the acknowledgments / preface?

If you have accepted all my edits and the published book is the same as the file I sent you, then you may list me as editor. But please don’t use my name if you added material that I have not seen or edited.

Will you work with authors who have self-publishing in mind?

I will work with writers who intend to self-publish but only if they have writing talent and if the book interests me. I urge writers with talent and interesting material to consider the "traditional" route only.

Can you help with the submission process?

I network with publishing professionals who provide book setup services, review galley proofs, and help with agent/publisher selection and book marketing. I provide my clients with direct referrals to these specialists, if requested. I believe that each part of the process should be performed by the best person for the job. My talent/gift is copyediting, so I network with experts who pick up where I leave off.

Can you guarantee that my edited manuscript will be accepted by an agent or publisher?

Though I will assist you in making the manuscript presentable and error-free, I cannot guarantee representation or publication (no editor can, or should, make such a promise).