Book Editing
You have poured your heart and time into your writing. Now you might be too close to it or simply know that a professional editor will help your writing evolve to be the best it can be. My most common manuscript genres are: mind/body/spirit (think health & wellness, spiritual & religious, self-development & self-empowerment), business and marketing, and life story/memoirs.
I offer 4 types of manuscript editing, with each type being one editing layer and level of focus, from macro to micro:
MACRO EDITING
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Manuscript Assessment (a.k.a. Non-fiction Manuscript Appraisal or Critique)
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Substantive Editing (a.k.a. Content and Structure)
MICRO EDITING
The relationship between editor and author is creative and relies on our mutual respect and honest feedback. I will offer all feedback thoughtfully and respectfully. You the author will need to be open to critique and revision, particularly in macro-editing. Good communication between us both is a must. You should feel some relief knowing you don't bear alone the burden of the creation, development and refinement of your manuscript. You have someone on your team!
If you've just beginning to write your non-fiction book, or are part-way through and have hit a 'road block' , or have issues arising with your voice, message, flow and so on, book in for a 1-on-1 Brainstorm with me. Two heads are better than one!
All editing services consider: the author's voice, style and message; target readership; and purpose of publication. US or Australian or UK standards are applied as requested. Approximate costs are provided below but each project will receive an individual quote after the submission is received. All prices are in Australian dollars and GST free.
line editing
Copyediting
Manuscript Assessment
(Non-fiction only)
Also called an appraisal, a Manuscript Assessment provides valuable feedback and guidance on your manuscript, taking a big-picture view of your writing. It assesses the strengths and weaknesses of your writing through a comprehensive evaluation of your manuscript.
An assessment report addresses the key considerations of a manuscript in the context of the subject matter, core message, author goals and intended audience. No hands-on editing is performed except as examples or as minimal comments on the manuscript. Manuscript/document strengths and weaknesses will be reported, and suggestions for improvement made.
A Wendy & Words Manuscript Assessment may not advise on the marketability of your manuscript to publishers or literary agents.
The manuscript should be an early draft though not necessarily the first. The report may suggest rewriting, filling major content gaps or reorganising content before the manuscript can be submitted for hands-on editing.
You editor will read through the manuscript several times while preparing the assessment.
You are required to submit the manuscript, or chapter, plus a synopsis and fill out a W&W Author Questionnaire.
Areas addressed
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overall structure, flow, logical development
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clarity, consistency and repetition
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gaps in content
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word count
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book title and subtitle
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chapter headings and sub-headings
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appropriateness to target readership
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language, style, tone and voice
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recommendations for improvement
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alignment of content with author goals and intent
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use of research
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accuracy, authenticity and credibility
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editing requirements
You will receive
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a report of several pages long
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your manuscript returned with minimal comments
Cost Guide
Up to 10,000 words $285 AUS
Up to 20,000 words $550 AUS
40,000 to 60,000 words $755 AUS
60,000 to 80,000 words $850 AUS
"Wendy's feedback on my manuscript assessment was amazing! She gave me great direction and constructive advice. I feel empowered to rewrite and create a book I can gift the world."
- Julie Capri, Author 'Awakening'
Substantive Editing
(Non-fiction only)
Sometimes called structural or content editing, substantive editing aims to ensure that the structure, content, language, style and presentation of the document are suitable for its intended purpose and readership.
This is a hands-on, thorough and in-depth macro edit (including some re-working and re-shaping where necessary) of your whole manuscript, finding opportunities to improve and shape your manuscript. It looks at content clarity, tone, logic, flow, cohesiveness, organisation, consistency, design/presentation, style and structure to ensure it is functional for the intended medium, purpose and target reader. It's best performed on an early draft of your manuscript, before microediting.
One of the most complex and time-consuming edits. A second run allows a review of suggested re-writes.
Your editor, Wendy, will run through the manuscript twice during the editing process. before sending the first round of edits back.
Areas addressed
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gaps in content, missing parts
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superfluous, redundant or irrelevant text – noted but not corrected
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pacing, ‘bogged down’ or too light
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message: mixed? appropriately weighted? information and arguments presented clearly and relevant?
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factual errors and inconsistencies
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tweaking or re-writing of content for clarity and tightening
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text presentation e.g. tables, bullet points, illustrations, activities, summary or other reader aids to improve message delivery.
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structure, sequence, flow and logical progression of ideas – sections, chapters and paragraphs
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relevancy of book chapters titles, subheadings and chapter length
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alignment of book content and style with author’s goals
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consistency and appropriateness of author’s voice, style and tone
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general copyright or referencing issues
You will receive
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In some cases, a mini-editorial report
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Your manuscript with detailed trackchanged revisions and comments for improvement. Paragraphs and sentences may be moved, adjusted or re-written to help communicate suggested changes.
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Editor will check any new re-writes by client in a second run and then will return 1 x clean copy of manuscript
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1 x 30 minute-phone or Skype follow-up
Cost Guide
4c (AUS) / word (min. $150)
depending on document length and complexity and whether combined with another service
Minimum fee for editorial services is $150. Bundled rates available on request.
line editing
Copyediting
Line Editing
A line edit addresses the creative content, writing style and language use at the sentence and paragraph level. It focuses on how you use language to communicate to your readers, not to comb your manuscript for errors but to bring order, flow, smoothness and consistency to your language. It is a 'language face-lift'. May include re-writing examples.
This edit will not only improve the manuscript but also your writing skills for future projects.
It asks such questions as:
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Is your language clear, fluid and pleasurable to read, or is it awkward and clunky?
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Do you have run-on sentences, danglers, redundant phrasing, or anything that might be ambiguous to the reader?
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Does it convey a sense of atmosphere, emotion and tone?
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Do your words convey a precise meaning or are you using broad generalisations and cliches?
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Are your cliches and metaphors appropriate?
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Do you use too many words, with redundancies, and are your sentences too long?
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Are you repeating yourself?
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Can paragraphs be tightened?
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How is the pacing?
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Is the content confusing? Do you digress?
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Are you characters consistent?
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Do you use the best words and phrases to communicate your meaning?
Your editor, Wendy, will run through the manuscript 2 times before sending the first round of edits back.
You will receive
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Your manuscript with detailed trackchanged revisions and comments for improvement.
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Editor will check any new re-writes by client in a second run and then will return 1 x clean copy of manuscript
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1 x 30 minute-phone or Skype follow-up
Cost Guide
3.5c / word AUS. (min. $150)
depending on document length and complexity and whether combined with another service
Pricing will also depend on the quality and complexity of the original manuscript. Minimum fee for editorial services is $150. Bundled rates available on request.
Copy Editing
Copy editing is a word-by-word micro edit that combs your manuscript for errors, to ensure readability, consistency, accuracy and completeness. Applied once a document is sound in content and structure and possibly after line editing.
It addresses:
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correct use of grammar, spelling and punctuation (including exclamation and question marks, dialogue marks, hyphenation)
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repetition, irrelevance, wordiness
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typographical errors
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basic sentence structure and phrasing
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basic format consistency including bullets, italics, capitalisation
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headings & subheadings
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referencing
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word, line and paragraph spacing
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numerals
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hyperlinks
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contents list
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word choice and terminology, inappropriate cliches and idioms
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basic consistency, cohesiveness and completeness
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check for potential legal liability e.g. copyright or referencing issues
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logic
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appropriate use of technical and specialised terminology, including discipline-specific terms, abbreviations and units of measurement
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consistency in the presentation of illustrations, diagrams and other display items.
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last flag of ambiguous or incorrect facts and internal inconsistencies
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referencing
Can be bundled with line editing.
Your editor, Wendy, will run through the manuscript 2 times during the editing process. before sending the first round of edits back.
You will receive
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Your manuscript with detailed trackchanged revisions and comments for improvement.
-
Editor will check any new re-writes by the client in a second run and then will return 1 x clean copy of manuscript
-
1 x 30 minute-phone or Skype follow-up
Cost Guide
3.5c / word AUS
depending on document length and complexity and whether combined with another service
Pricing will also depend on the quality and complexity of the original manuscript. Minimum fee for editorial services is $150. Bundled rates available on request.
Proofreading
Proofreading is a precise and detailed micro-edit of a PDF proof or eBook proof (non-fiction or fiction) to catch typos and ensure consistency and accuracy in grammar, spelling, punctuation, formatting and design before print.
A last chance for quality control to ensure your final manuscript or PDFs will go to print in the best shape possible.
It addresses:
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spelling and typos
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punctuation including exclamation and question marks, dialogue marks, hyphenation
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basic grammar
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repetition
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typographical errors
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basic format consistency
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bullet points
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headings & subheadings
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referencing
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capitalisation
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voice and tone only in terms of consistency
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numerals
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hyperlinks
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contents list
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headers & footers
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page numbers
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drop caps
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paragraph spacing and formatting
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line and word spacing
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capitalisation
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illustration and picture placement
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copyright and publishing details
You will receive
1 run only
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1 x copy of manuscript showing detailed trackchanged revisions and comments for improvement at the word and sentence level
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1 x copy of manuscript with no trackchanges
Cost Guide
2.5c / word
depending on document length and complexity and whether combined with another service
Use these prices as a guide only, not a formal quote. Pricing will also depend on the quality and complexity of the original manuscript. Minimum fee for editorial services is $150. Bundled rates available on request.
Bundled Rates
Comprehensive Edit Bundle: Line Edit + Copyedit 3 runs = 5.5 c / word
Comprehensive Edit + PDF Proof: Line Edit + Copyedit + PDF proof = 6.5 c word