A freelance book editor is a professional who provides editing services to authors and publishers on a contract or freelance basis. Their main responsibility is to ensure that a manuscript meets the highest standards of quality, readability, and clarity before it is published. A freelance book editor can work in various genres, including fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and academic writing.

Role and Responsibilities

The role of a freelance book editor goes beyond simply correcting grammar and punctuation errors. They play a crucial role in shaping the overall structure, flow, and coherence of a manuscript. Some of the key responsibilities of a freelance book editor include, but are not limited to:

1. Structural Editing

A freelance book editor often begins by evaluating the manuscript's structure and organization. They analyze the plot, character development, pacing, and overall clarity of the content. Structural editing involves making suggestions and offering solutions to enhance the narrative structure, ensuring a captivating and engaging reading experience.

2. Copyediting

Copyediting involves scrutinizing the manuscript's language, syntax, grammar, and spelling. The freelance book editor ensures consistency, clarity, and coherence in the text. They make necessary corrections and offer suggestions to improve sentence structure, eliminate redundant phrases, and enhance overall readability.

3. Style and Formatting

Freelance book editors must be proficient in different style guides, such as the Chicago Manual of Style, the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook, or specific publisher guidelines. They adhere to these standards to ensure consistency in formatting, referencing, citations, and adhering to industry best practices.

4. Fact-Checking

In non-fiction manuscripts, freelance book editors conduct fact-checking to ensure the accuracy and authenticity of the information presented. They verify references, sources, dates, names, and statistical data, ensuring that the information is reliable and credible.

5. Communication and Collaboration

Freelance book editors often work closely with authors, publishers, and literary agents. Effective communication is crucial in order to understand the author's vision, address concerns, and provide feedback. They collaborate to meet deadlines, discuss revisions, and maintain a productive working relationship.

A freelance book editor is an essential partner for authors and publishers. They bring expertise, clarity, and polish to manuscripts, elevating them to publishable standards. By understanding the author's intent and improving the structure, language, and overall quality of the text, freelance book editors play a crucial role in shaping literary works that captivate readers and leave a lasting impact.

Authors and publishers find several benefits in hiring a freelance editor, including:

Professional Expertise: Freelance editors are industry professionals with extensive experience in editing and a keen eye for detail. They bring objectivity and fresh perspectives to manuscripts, helping authors improve their work.

Enhancing Quality: Through their editing skills, freelance editors elevate manuscripts to a professional standard. They identify and correct errors, refine language, and improve the overall structure, ensuring the highest quality of the final product.

Saving Time and Effort: Hiring a freelance editor allows authors to focus on their writing process, leaving the intricacies of editing in capable hands. This can save time, energy, and the frustration of self-editing or relying solely on friends and family for feedback.

Increasing Marketability: Professional editing enhances the marketability of a book. Well-edited manuscripts have a higher chance of attracting literary agents or publishers. This, in turn, can lead to a broader readership and increased sales potential.

I offer a range of book editing services, including developmental editing, line editing, and editorial assessments. Consulting sessions are also available upon request. Each service focuses on different aspects of your manuscript's improvement, ensuring a polished final product. For more details on each service, please visit my Services page.

Developmental editing focuses on the “big picture” such as the overall structure, plot, character development, pacing, and flow of your manuscript.

Copyediting includes grammar, syntax, spelling, and punctuation corrections, ensuring consistency throughout your book.

Line editing delves deeper into the prose, enhancing sentence structure, style, and clarity.

Proofreading is the final step, focusing on minor errors and inconsistencies before publication.

You can reach me by visiting my website and filling out the contact form. I strive to respond to all inquiries within 24-48 hours.

I’m open to receiving projects within a wide range of genres, including literary fiction, mystery, thriller/horror, romance, memoir, science fiction, fantasy, and more. Non-fiction projects are also welcome, such as biographies.

I’d be happy to! Just contact me with your project details and I’ll get back to you with more information and pricing.

Yes, if you’d like a sample edit please contact me about your project and note that you’d like a sample in your summary. Once I’ve responded to your query via email, you’re welcome to then provide a sample of your project, no more than 5 pages in length.

I limit only 1 sample edit per client.

Once you contact me, and if not already provided, I will request a sample of your manuscript to analyze and provide you with a comprehensive quote and timeline. Once an agreement is signed, I will begin the desired services upon receipt of your full manuscript, maintaining regular communication to address any concerns and provide progress updates.

Upon completion of an editorial collaboration, you’ll will receive my feedback digitally. With editorial assessments, you will receive a PDF document outlining a summary of the manuscript, general thoughts, strengths/weaknesses, and next steps. Projects receiving developmental or line edits receive the full manuscript as a deliverable with edits via Tracked Changes and marginal comments.

I use Microsoft Word primarily, but also accept Pages and Google Docs as well. Google Docs are welcome for those who would like to see my edits in real-time!

The editing timeline varies depending on the complexity of your manuscript and the type of editing service required. I will provide you with an estimate after reviewing your sample and brief summary of your project and project needs. Generally, the process takes between two to six weeks.

Your agreement will detail instructions on how to send your manuscript files to me - typically, this will be via email, unless we agree otherwise.

My rates are competitive and tailored to the specific needs of each author and their manuscript. Factors such as word count, level of editing required, and the manuscript's overall condition contribute to the final cost. For a quick estimate of costs, please visit my Services page for more details.

Please contact me to receive a personalized quote for your project.

Not at this time, but hopefully in the future. Please inquire about any current promotions during our initial conversation.

I understand that, depending on a project’s word count, the cost for certain services can be difficult to pay in only one installment. Therefore, I do like to offer my authors the option of creating customized payment plans, allowing for multiple, lesser installments over the course of a few weeks to a few months depending on your needs. Please inquire about this during our initial discussions, and I will build in a payment plan that works for both of us.

Upon completion of our collaboration, I will send you an invoice via Stripe and they will walk you through the transaction from there!

Should you have purchased a service that is over USD $600, a 10% deposit will be expected and invoiced at the start of the collaboration. For more details on payments, please be sure to read my Terms of Service.

While I strive to eliminate as many errors as possible as I see them, it is essential to understand that no editing process can guarantee a completely error-free manuscript. However, my expertise in the craft will work to significantly enhance the quality of your work.

Once your manuscript has been edited to your satisfaction, you can proceed with additional steps, such as obtaining beta reader feedback, finalizing your book cover design, and formatting your manuscript according to industry or agent standards. I am happy to provide guidance during this process, and will always include items addressing such steps in my Editorial Assessments if I find your manuscript is ready for querying or self-publication (depending on your preference).

Alternatively, if I find your manuscript is in need of further revision, it is your responsibility to complete those revisions if desired. You’re more than welcome to return to me for any subsequent revisions, but please note that such inquiries will be treated as separate, chargeable projects.

Although I do not provide publishing services directly, I can offer guidance and recommendations to assist you in finding reputable publishing options. I have extensive knowledge of the publishing industry and can help steer you in the right direction.

Of course! When we agree to work together, I’ll send you an agreement that outlines my standard terms and conditions. A client’s work will always be treated confidentially and respectfully at all times. Your ideas and documents will not be shared with any third parties or used in any other way other than within the terms we’ve agreed for the collaboration.