MY SERVICES-WHAT I DO

Publishing a book is not a simple—or easy—task. You pour your soul into each and every word, painstakingly revise, and then often face letters of rejection. A writer must have thick skin, incredible drive, and lots of persistence. But there is a way to increase the odds of sharing your story with the world. The eyes of an experienced editor can go a long way in not only making a good story a great story but in improving your chances of capturing that elusive publishing deal.

Whether your book needs just a little guidance or a complete overhaul, I can assist you in creating a tighter, more marketable manuscript that is ready for submission to an agent or publishing house—or for publishing on your own. Please note that the fees below are simply a guideline…the fee for your manuscript will be determined by the length and complexity of the project and will be agreed upon prior to my beginning work—the final cost will never be a surprise. Scroll down for more details.

DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING

NOVEL: $2000 & UP

NOVELLA: $1000 & UP

The developmental edit focuses on the big picture. It includes a manuscript evaluation/critique and an editorial letter detailing suggestions to clarify and tighten your story, strengthen your plot and pacing, develop characters and motivations, and ensure consistency of viewpoint and narrative.

In addition to the editorial letter, comments and suggestions are provided directly on the manuscript so that you can see exactly where (and how) elements may be improved. Margins are utilized to point out inconsistencies, repetitive elements, interrupted pacing, and to alert you to questions that may arise in a reader’s mind at particular places in the story. It is a very hands-on approach to the edit.

LINE EDITING

NOVEL: $1500 & UP

NOVELLA: $600 & UP 

The line edit is intended for stories that have already gone through a developmental edit and/or have a strong structure already in place. Rather than focusing on the big rocks of a developmental edit, the line edit features sentence-level changes to improve the flow of the narrative. Word choice, sentence structure, dialogue, common writing pitfalls, and tightening are the primary focus. In addition to the line edit, light copyediting will be done.

DOWN AND DIRTY: ONE-PASS EDIT

NOVEL : $1000 & UP

This edit is designed for self-publishers who want a read-through and simple line edit before publication. I will make note of any structural issues I find while doing a line edit and light copy edit. A manuscript submitted for this service should be self-edited and in near-ready publishing shape. Unlike my other services where I read your manuscript more than once and offer suggestions for improvement, the Down & Dirty edit involves only one pass of reading and is closer to a line edit/proofread than a developmental edit.

MANUSCRIPT EVALUATION

NOVEL: $800 & UP

The manuscript evaluation/critique involves a read of your manuscript and a detailed letter pointing out your story’s marketability, strengths and weaknesses, and ideas for how to improve it. It’s an affordable way to get feedback and guidance on an early draft or if your budget is not large enough for a developmental edit. You will receive an evaluation report, but the manuscript itself will not be edited. It’s your responsibility to take the information from the evaluation and apply it to your revisions.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

NOVEL : $6000 & UP

This service is designed for publishers and packagers and will take a project from its initial stage through various rounds of editing, with review of the copyediting and proofreading (hiring copyeditor and proofreader is the responsibility of the publisher or packager). An editorial schedule will be developed and followed to meet publication needs.

CUSTOM EDITORIAL PACKAGES

Every manuscript has different needs, and every writer has different strengths and expectations. Should you require a number of different services, such as multiple-pass edits, a series bible, query letter review, and/or marketing blurb development, packages can be tailored to your needs at a discounted rate. Contact me directly for further information. 

THE DETAILS

ESTIMATES/QUOTES

I am happy to provide an estimate on your editing needs. To do so, please email (karen@karengrove.com) your manuscript and tell me what services you’re looking for, and I will send you a personal quote for the project. Fees are based on the complexity of the editing services needed, the length of your manuscript, and how quickly you need it done.

PAYMENT

Payment is divided into halves, with the first half of the payment due when the contract is signed/accepted and the second half of the payment is due when the job has been completed and is ready to return to you. Editorial packages may be split into three or four payments. Payment may be made by credit card or check.

PREPARING YOUR MANUSCRIPT

Please submit your manuscript as a Word document, preferably in 12pt Times New Roman, double-spaced. Editorial work is done in Microsoft Word using Track Changes. If you’re not familiar with how Track Changes works, please let me know and I’ll provide you with that information.

TURN-AROUND TIME

In most cases, a manuscript can be turned around in approximately 2-4 weeks. I will give you a clear estimate of the schedule at the time your manuscript and first half of the payment is received. Please note that if your manuscript is sent to me later than agreed upon, it may require additional time so as not to adversely affect another manuscript on my schedule. Rush schedules may be accommodated at an additional charge.

DISCLAIMER

As a freelance editor, I can call on my thirty-plus years of experience to guide you in shaping your story, developing character, solidifying motivation and conflict, and improving pacing—while at the same time looking at how your story will fit its intended market. I can assist you with the cosmetics as well, providing basic line editing and cleaning up repetitive, overly wordy, or unclear text. I cannot, however, promise you that the work we do together will land you a contract with a publisher or hit a best-seller list. That is completely out of my hands.