Ink Slinger Editorial Services

First Chapter Substantive Edit – $30/5k words (¢.007/word)

Return for a full edit and receive a $30 credit.

I’ve been getting a lot of requests to edit beginnings. It seems there are those that want to know where they are and how they can improve. I would be remiss if I didn’t say that a crit group/writing group is a great place for this kind of thing. And they’re free. I know it’s work to find the good critiquers and learn who to trust and how to know the difference between advice you should take and advice that might not be what you actually want to do. It’s worth it, though. Learning how to crit is also a huge help in learning to write better. I’ve been saying this to those that have contacted me but guess what? They still would prefer to pay for an edit. So for the author that would like good help right now, here it is.

Most problems that riddle an MS can be identified in the first 3 chapters. 5k words should provide more than enough information to improve the ms and prevent the author from spending more money than necessary to find their pitfalls. If you would like to go up to 10k, the price would be ¢.0075/word, the same as a substantive edit (credited should you return for a full edit). This is not going to be able to cover everything a full substantive edit will since I can’t tell you how the plot progresses or anything that would require a full read. But I can promise you that the majority of what will make a full substantive more effective for you will be noted for you to apply to the rest of the MS, allowing for a future substantive edit to focus less on common mechanical problems and more on the actual story.

Proofreading – .0045¢/word 

Check for missing words, typos, punctuation and other basic corrections. For projects I think might not be ready for proofing, I will continue to 5k words and mark where in the 5k words I would stop reading and why. I will then contact the author and ask if I should continue, switch to the new First Chapter Substantive Edit, or pull it. I will make general notes on my thoughts to use in the decision-making process whether to pull or continue. If pulled, I will not keep the 20% deposit. I will only charge for the 10k words and return the remaining balance. Should the same project be resubmitted, that charge will be applied to final cost.

Copy Editing – .0065¢/word

Sentence structure, clarity, continuity, repetitive words/phrases, identify basic style errors (passive, adverbs, redundancy, etc.),  POV, and wordiness/length of sentences/paragraphs. For projects I think might not be ready for CE, I will continue up to 5k words and mark where in the 5k words I would stop reading and why. I will then contact the author and ask if I should continue, switch to the new First Chapter Substantive Edit, or pull it. I will make notes a little more detailed than offered in proofing to use in the decision-making process to pull or continue. Follow ups to recommended changes are covered. If pulled, I will not keep the 20% deposit. I will only charge for the 10k words and return the remaining balance. Should the same project be resubmitted, that charge will be applied to final cost.

Substantive Editing – .0075¢/word

Copy editing plus an in-depth look at progression of plot, character development, narrative quality. If you’ve requested this, I will edit the entire project since this is not an edit for polishing up to publish. This is an edit that is far more in-depth, getting into mechanics and craft. I will also mark where I would stop reading. I will provide extensive notes, explanations and examples for corrections. You will receive a redlined MS with extensive comments. and an Editorial Analysis further detailing the redlines and recommendations, and includes a list of repetitive words and phrases in an easy to read report. Congratulations if you found this! I’m still working out the details on how to offer the Editorial Analysis.

MS Re-edit – contact me

Continuity Mapping – contact me

Mapping of characters and events for use in a series to maintain continuity from book 1 on.

Payment

20% non-refundable deposit.* 40% halfway and 40% upon completion.

For projects that are returned to the author for more work, the deposit will be applied to the future edit of the returned project.

I’m not unreasonable. Contact me if you can’t make a typical 20%, 40%, 40% arrangement. The worst thing that will happen is I say no. I promise not to be mean if I do, but I probably won’t say no.

Things to note: Getting a substantive edit doesn’t preclude you from needing a separate CE when finished. Ideally, what you’ll want to do is SE with one editor, CE with another editor and proofing with another. You don’t ever want to have the same eyes on your project. An SE will include CE but things will get missed. It happens no matter how you publish. After a SE, your CE edits will be significantly reduced but you will still have them. You lessen those misses when you have multiple eyes, each with their own specific purpose. This can be expensive but it’s well worth it no matter who you choose to edit. 

Testimonials

For a list of comparative prices from the Editorial Freelance Association, click here.

*As noted in the editing options, the deposit is refundable under the above-referenced limited conditions.