Editing Services

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Getting your Novel Ready for Publication

So you’ve written a complete manuscript. Congratulations! Assuming you’ve already had at least one Beta reader give you feedback, and you’ve gone through a couple rounds of edits yourself, it’s probably time to hire a freelance editor.

But where do you start? What kind of editing services do you need? When should you get them done? Here’s a breakdown of the services I offer:

If you are an amateur author who’s looking to be published for the first time, you will likely want to start with the manuscript critique. If you already have an agent or publisher, make sure to get the go-ahead from them before hiring a freelance editor. They might want copyediting or proofreading assistance.

Editing Exceptions

Because I become fully immersed in stories, I will not edit certain scenes or genres I want no experience in. Do not send me erotica or horror novels. Please no erotic or rape scenes* in any genre. No explicit descriptions of crimes against children. Please no racist, sexist, or sociopathic protagonists—I really don’t want to live in their heads. Lewd humor is not for me. For graphic novels, please note if any content is NSFW.

*A reference to an act is different than giving a full play-by-play. If it happens “off-screen,’ it’s probably fine.

Regardless of the genre or content of your complete MS, I will critique queries or synopses without discrimination. For query or synopsis edits, please email querylara[at]icloud[.]com or enter my query workshop.

Established Authors

If you’ve already traditionally published one or more novels, a substantive edit from me would likely cost significantly less than average. Please refer to my average rates for copyediting and proofreading.

Manuscript Critique (The Diagnosis)

What it is: A broad look at the entire novel as a whole, including a summary of repeated errors or areas needing improvements

What you get: 

  • One page overviewing the beginning, middle, and ending of the novel
  • One page detailing setting, character development, structure, and theme
  • A bulleted list of common errors, mistakes, and room for improvement

Does not include: 

  • A list of spelling, grammar, syntax errors
  • An exhaustive list of specific changes
  • Suggestions to improve writing style

When to get it: As soon as you complete the first few rounds of edits on your complete manuscript

OPTIONAL ADD-ON: THE BEAT SHEET (not available without Manuscript Critique)
What it is: An outline of the novel, reducing each scene or section into one sentence
When to get it: After you complete your first draft or before you write a synopsis

How much will it cost? See my average prices here, or use the form below to receive a custom quote.

Substantive Edit (The Treatment Plan)

What it is: Sentence-by-sentence coaching to improve the mechanics, style, and form of your writing (also known as a line edit)

What you get: 

  • A personal coach to answer your questions about writing and editing
  • Your digital manuscript emailed back to you, formatted in standard industry format
  • Objective changes made for you using the Track Changes feature
  • Explanations for recurring objective changes
  • Subjective or stylistic errors marked and explained
  • Suggestions for improving style while retaining your unique voice
  • A bulleted list of common errors, mistakes, and room for improvement

Does not include: 

  • Typing services or transfer of a hard copy or audio file to digital media (Document must be received as .doc, .docx, .pages, .rtf, or Google Drive file)
  • Research or fact-checking
  • Ghostwriting
  • Advice on other writing projects

When to get it: Whenever you want to improve your writing at the sentence level AND/OR after your complete manuscript has been critiqued

SPECIALS
Substantive Edits are available for your entire manuscript, but they are especially recommended for the beginning of your novel, your query letter, and your synopsis. See my special rates here.

How much will it cost? See my average prices here, or use the form below to receive a custom quote.

Copyediting (The Well-Visit Check)

What it is: A check for mechanics (spelling, grammar, syntax) and consistency issues (tense, case, POV) per page of manuscript text

What you get: 

  • Your digital manuscript emailed back to you, formatted in standard industry format
  • Objective changes made for you using the Track Changes feature
  • Subjective or stylistic errors highlighted (but not corrected)
  • A bulleted list of common errors, mistakes, and room for improvement

Does not include: 

  • Typing services or transfer of a hard copy or audio file to digital media (Document must be received as .doc, .docx, .pages, .rtf, or Google Drive file)
  • Explanations of objective changes—these are necessary changes made in accordance to industry standard, Chicago Style, or Webster’s dictionary
  • Research or fact-checking
  • Suggestions to improve writing style
  • Rewriting or ghostwriting

When to get it: After your complete manuscript has been critiqued or edited by someone, and you have revised accordingly

How much will it cost? See my average prices here, or use the form below to receive a custom quote.

Design and Layout (The Makeover)

This is done at the discretion of your publisher. If you’re self-publishing and looking for a designer, I might be able to help you out. Contact me for more information and to see my portfolio.

Proofreading (The Spot Check)

What it is: One final check for punctuation, layout, or typographical errors

What you get: 

Objective changes EITHER:

  1. made for you using the Track Changes feature OR
  2. marked up on a hard copy proof

Does not include: 

  • Transfer of a hard copy or audio file to digital media
  • Explanations of objective changes—these are changes made in accordance to industry standard, Chicago Style, or Webster’s dictionary
  • Research or fact-checking
  • Suggestions to improve writing
  • Rewriting or ghostwriting

When to get it: After your novel is ready for publication (i.e. it has undergone several rounds of edits already), before it goes to press

How much will it cost? See my average prices here, or use the form below to receive a custom quote.

Get a quote

To receive a custom price quote, include which editing service you desire, your first 1,000 words of your manuscript pasted into the box below (no attachments), and the total word count for your manuscript. I will email you back within three business days.

If you’re a traditionally published author, choose “copyediting” and include a link to your published novels at the beginning of your 1,000-word sample.

To receive a query or synopsis edit for $35, copy or paste in the body of  an email with the subject line “$35 edit” to querylara[at]icloud[.]com