For both fiction and nonfiction, I will edit the first three pages, making notes on the manuscript. This will give you an idea of my editing style and whether the teaching notes I provide will be helpful to you. At this point I will recommend one of two types of edit.
For fiction:
1. An initial big-picture edit that focuses heavily on structure. [This is also called a developmental edit.] A first task will be to identify the genre and the applicable genre conventions.
Margin comments and an editorial letter cover structure at three levels: the entire novel, the chapter, and the scene. Why and how to use narrative summary, basics of character development, setting, and point of view will be covered. With a strong definitive structure, we aim for clarity and entertainment value.
2.4 – 3.0 cents per word
2. A comprehensive edit that assumes a basic strong structure and includes a line edit, margin comments and editorial letter, which cover structure, story shape, enhancing characterization and setting, escalation of conflict, pacing, dialog, subtext, powerful narrative summary, transitions, and power-up techniques at the sentence level.
2.4-3.4 cents per word
3. A hard deadline, unusually complex writing issues, the need to cover everything in one or two revisions, or other unusual circumstances necessitate that I preview the manuscript and write a customized proposal for the project.
4. A blurb for the back of the book or other sales material can be edited if we’ve read the book within a month. The edit fee is $125.
For nonfiction:
1. An initial big-picture edit that focuses heavily on structure, completeness and clarity; Margin comments and an editorial letter cover thoroughness of research, idea development, most effective ways of developing and delivering ideas. Expect to see questions in the margin—a way to provide reader feedback to the author during the revision process. Sometimes phone meetings are needed during the editing process to accurately convey the author’s intended meaning.
2.4-3.6 cents per word
2. A comprehensive edit that includes everything outlined number 1 above— We focus on capturing the author’s voice and making it as engaging as possible. The line edit, margin comments and editorial letter cover adding shape and tension section by section, powerful narrative, and power-up techniques at the sentence level.
2.4-3.8 cents per word
3. A hard deadline, unusually complex writing issues, the need to cover everything in one revision, or other unusual circumstances necessitate that the editors preview the manuscript and write a customized proposal for the project.
A picture book edit is comprehensive fiction or nonfiction. Up to 1000 words, the editorial fee is $95. For unusual circumstances, the editor will write a custom proposal.
A query letter edit is one-page of text, and the editing fee is $95.
Technical manuals, business documents, Keynote and PowerPoint Presentations, speeches, nonfiction book proposals and ghostwriting are available. Specific-to-the-project proposals will be submitted. Please email or phone to schedule an initial interview for this type of project. Contact Teresa at teresa@authorspark.org
One-on-One Mentoring
Teresa also works one-on-one with authors, who want to write a book [fiction or non-fiction] and want help throughout the process. Many small business owners find that publishing in their fields of expertise demonstrates their credibility and leads to more speaking engagements and more business.
For fiction and nonfiction editing, I’ll use an MS Word [or Google Docs, as preferred] tool: Track Changes, which will allow you to see my suggestions and accept or decline them. So nothing I do will be permanent; all decisions remain yours, as they should be. If you don’t know how to use Track Changes, there are video instructions available on Word and YouTube to help you get started.
After you’ve received the initial free three-page edit and had time to review it, please email me and we’ll schedule a phone meeting, so I can answer any questions and we can talk about the project. Contact me at teresa@authorspark.org.
