Editing Defined

Our fees are typically 25-50% less than industry average prices.

We are authors too, so we understand cost is a factor and want to show you how to save money without sacrificing quality at every opportunity.

We help you determine what your manuscript needs, eliminate unnecessary editing costs, and offer pricing based on the unique condition of your document rather than outdated, high priced, industry averages. Sometimes there is a light need in more than one level of editing, so for example, we can complete copy editing while addressing structural or substantive needs, reducing the cost of two readings down to one (AKA Line Editing). Or if the needs in copy editing and proofreading areas are both on the light side, we can combine those two last readings into one reading. You’ll receive a free assessment of your document’s condition and a sample of workmanship with a proposed editing plan and timeline within three business days of receiving your manuscript Word document and about the book information.

Critique Service

This service typically looks at 2-3 chapters or 30-50 pages to point out strengths and weaknesses the author can use to improve the rest of the manuscript during self-editing. Author defines the specific area of the manuscript to be critiqued or can request a recommendation. Very similar to Developmental Editing but intended to provide guidance for self-editing to help authors avoid the cost of Developmental Editing. A very experienced development editor will provide margin notes for the following focus areas:

Grammatical, usage, and typographical errors. Will point out and correct a few examples with line edits.
Clichés, vague imagery, pacing/storytelling issues (over explaining, under explaining, repetition, skipping over things), etc.
Plot holes, inconsistent character behavior, unrealistic coincidences to propel the plot, etc.
Opportunities to make the writing and dialog snappier. May rewrite some sentences/paragraphs to illustrate how to sharpen your voice (if needed).

Critique is development editing abridged to a portion of the word count because you intend to apply what you learn over the whole on your own. It’s for authors who want to do more self-editing and are experienced/skilled enough to do it successfully.

Developmental/Project Editing

Coordinates and edits a project from proposal or rough manuscript to a complete first draft. Ensures these 4 main elements are incorporated/present:

Problem or Conflict: usually introduced early on; can be external or internal is evident and relatable
Plot or Text Structure: the rise and fall of action is the right pace and makes the reader feel and see what’s happening
Solution or Resolution: how the problem or conflict is solved makes sense and is believable
Theme: More than the topic of the story, the “message” the author is trying to send through the use of the story is evident and believable and relatable

Margin notes will address the following focus areas:

Grammatical, usage, and typographical errors. Will point out and correct a few examples with line edits.
Clichés, vague imagery, pacing/storytelling issues (over explaining/info-dumping, under explaining, repetition, skipping over things), etc.
Plot holes, inconsistent character behavior, unrealistic coincidences to propel the plot, etc.
Opportunities to make the writing and dialog snappier. May rewrite some example sentences/paragraphs to illustrate how to sharpen your voice (if needed).

Manuscript report will address the following focus areas:

Summary of the manuscript’s current iteration.
Strengths in the existing manuscript.
Weaknesses in the existing manuscript.
Suggestions for how to proceed/final thoughts.

Substantive/Structural Editing

Clarifies or reorganizes a manuscript for content and structure. Applies to manuscripts with an overall well-written state that may require more clarifying or structural specific work than is covered in copy editing.

Considers a document’s concept and intended use, content, organization, design, and style.
Makes the document functional for its readers, not just correct and consistent.
Fine tunes the 4 elements outlined under Developmental Editing. (see end of proposal for all term definitions)

Deals with the overall structure of the publication and should answer these questions:

Does it all fit together into a coherent whole?
Is the order of presentation logical (from the target audience’s point of view)?
Is all the necessary information included and unnecessary information deleted?
Are the retrieval aids (table of contents, internal headings, index) useful? Do they contain terms that are useful to the target audience?
Characters: Are main characters and supporting characters well developed?
Setting: Is when and where the story took place clear?
Point of View: Is there head-hopping, or if so, is it indicated with proper breaks for changes and internal dialogue indicated with italics?

Substantive/structural editing is about fine tuning the details that drive comprehension of plot, theme, story, character, problem, solution, and etcetera for an already complete manuscript.

Line Editing

A combination of light Substantive/Structural Editing and light Copy Editing for works that don’t need a lot of either.

Line editing simply means the editor will be cleaning up copy editing type flaws while watching for any tone, consistency, or style issues remaining when substantive/structural needs are not excessive or were addressed on the previous round and just need finalizing. Manuscript should be complete and above average condition in the substantive/structural editing focus areas. Poorer condition may result in the need for additional line editing.

Copy Editing

Editing for grammar, word choice, sentence structure, paragraphing, and other mechanics of style; checking for consistency of mechanics and internal consistency of facts. Strict adherence to Client’s style guide of choice guaranteed.

Think of copy editing as checking for technical accuracy at the paragraph, sentence, and word level. Some of the consideration is about pacing and reading rhythm (specific to technical changes of sentence structure and wording choices), so there is some subjectivity in this editing type though most of it is rule based.

Proofreading

Checking proofs (digital Word documents) of formatted, edited material for spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and mechanical errors in copy. It’s strictly rule based, though some rules can be determined by the author. Adherence to Client’s style guide of choice guaranteed. “Proofreading” is often loosely used to include copy editing and other tasks. It is not so used here but is specific to checking final digital documents for spelling, punctuation, and mechanical errors at the word and keystroke level as a last look before publishing.

Track Changes Training

Editor provides a How to Guide and email/phone support (up to client) to teach author how to effectively and efficiently use this feature. Included free with any editing/proofreading service.

Initial training with free sample and recap training when editing work sent back the first time is free (up to 1.5 hours total) with any paid editing or proofreading service.

Publishing

Editing is just the beginning of the publishing process. Self-publishing can be very confusing and time consuming. Our mother company, Indie Author Publishing Services (IAPS), and your managing editor will support you through the process:

Listen to your goals and offer suggestions to simplify the sheer volume of choices you’ll have to make. (Free 1 hour consultation for all new clients.)
Teach you how to self-publish like a pro.
Complete tasks on your behalf.

Our team of published authors wants to help you realize your dream, and we know everyone’s needs are different and unique to their situation.

The Pro Book Editor is a division of Indie Author Publishing Services. For information about services customized to implement the rest of your publishing plan, please visit IAPS.rocks.