Q - Why do we need a sample edit?
A - We both benefit from taking time to assess the situation (manuscript, personality, communication style, expectations, etc.) before deciding if we will make a good team.
Not every technically proficient editor is a good match for your personality, sensitivity, writing style, or genre. Likewise, not every story is a good match for my tastes and expertise. (See Preferred Genres) The sample also affords me the chance to assess the stage your manuscript is in, which I need for fee and scheduling calculations.
So a sample helps us both decide if we are a good fit.
Not every technically proficient editor is a good match for your personality, sensitivity, writing style, or genre. Likewise, not every story is a good match for my tastes and expertise. (See Preferred Genres) The sample also affords me the chance to assess the stage your manuscript is in, which I need for fee and scheduling calculations.
So a sample helps us both decide if we are a good fit.
Q - Would this sample edit be free?
A - While some editors offer a free sample edit (I used to as well), I now charge $50.
Editing is a business, and I spend time on a sample edit and the manuscript in general, providing helpful feedback and suggestions while getting to know it. Believe me, I give value for money!
If a writer decides to hire me, I will apply the $50 toward the cost of the editing service.
Editing is a business, and I spend time on a sample edit and the manuscript in general, providing helpful feedback and suggestions while getting to know it. Believe me, I give value for money!
If a writer decides to hire me, I will apply the $50 toward the cost of the editing service.
Q - How do we get started?
A - If you want me to do a sample edit, please fill out the Contact form here on my website. Sharing information about yourself and your writing right off the bat saves us both a lot of time and back-and-forth emails.
Q - Then what?
A - If I think I can help, I will invoice you and ask that you send your manuscript in a formatted Word document (or a minimum of your first, last, and middle chapters). I will look it over, getting a sense for what your story needs. Then I'll offer edits and suggestions.
Q - What will the sample edit and assessment look like?
A - Using MS Word's Track Changes, I look over the sample and offer commentary or correction for about 1,000 words, both inline (right in the text) and in comments (in the margins). It will not be a comprehensive edit, nor will it be “perfect” (which, frankly, is not possible). This is a sampling to illustrate my style and the types of feedback I can and will provide.
Along with this single-pass edit sampling, I will offer:
Along with this single-pass edit sampling, I will offer:
- my assessment of the editing stage your writing is in
- my decision of whether I can help
- an estimate of how much time I think it will take
- an estimate of when I could fit the project into my schedule
- an estimate of how much it will cost
Q - Then . . .?
A - You can look all this over (dialogue is welcome) and decide:
- if my feedback is helpful (would you prefer more or less explanation?)
- if my style of critique works with your personality (while sometimes blunt, I am never unkind)
- if you agree on the type and stage of recommended editing service (communicate your thoughts on this - perhaps we can work something out)
- if the proposed project fee works with your budget (while my rates won't change, I am happy to point out ways you can save money by doing more yourself before sending me the manuscript)
- if the scheduling works with your timeline (I'm often booked months out for bigger projects)
If everything clicks, I will issue an invoice for $100 nonrefundable deposit to hold that spot on my schedule (if it is a month or more out).
And I may ask you to fill out a New Client Questionnaire, which is designed to give me more insight into your project and you. (If you've filled out a Contact form from my website, some of these questions may be redundant, but it helps to have the information all in one place.) The better I know you, the more helpful my comments and suggestions will be.
I hope to hear from you!
And I may ask you to fill out a New Client Questionnaire, which is designed to give me more insight into your project and you. (If you've filled out a Contact form from my website, some of these questions may be redundant, but it helps to have the information all in one place.) The better I know you, the more helpful my comments and suggestions will be.
I hope to hear from you!
“Kate has been editing for me for almost a year now and she is a sweetie who I totally recommend to get your manuscript polished with no fuss. If you’re looking for someone who is organized and precise, then Kate is the editor for you.”
-Cheryl Phipps / C.A. Phipps, USA Today Bestselling Author
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