We handle the stages of the usual editorial process—writing,
substantive editing/manuscript evaluation, copyediting, proofreading, indexing,
and publication design.
For most jobs, we will gladly provide an estimate. Also,
all rates are negotiable, depending on the condition of your document.
Writing: With your background information, research,
and notes, we assemble a professionally written document. $55.00 per hour.
Substantive Editing: As needed, we rearrange and
rewrite your document, developing content that is accurate, logical, and
complete, and presenting it appropriately for the intended audience. $45.00
per hour.
Manuscript Evaluation: Rather than substantive
editing, you may wish only an evaluation or critique of your document. We
do critiques either through the comment panes in Microsoft Word™ or by means of
sheets and Post-it™ slips attached to hard copy. $35.00 per hour.
Copyediting: We check for errors in spelling,
grammar, punctuation, and usage, and, by means of a complete style sheet,
ensure consistency of style and content throughout the document. Depending on
the kind of document, the style sheet consists of some or all of the following:
1) a vocabulary list containing foreign words not found in Webster’s
Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition, 2nd spellings in
Webster’s 11th, any corrections in usage—such as correct
compounds for incorrect ones, 2) a list of proper nouns (names of
persons and places), 3) a list of trademarks, 4) a page or more
devoted to style “rules” concerning corrections our copyeditor makes in the
document.
Besides Webster’s 11th, we use The
Chicago Manual of Style, 15th Edition (or any other manual you
prefer—for APA or MLA style, for example), Words into Type, 3rd
Edition, as well as your company’s or publisher’s style sheet. We also clear up
any confusing or awkward writing. In addition, we query you concerning unclear
passages and make suggestions for changes. Copyediting should be done before
the document is laid out. In most cases, copyediting should be followed by
proofreading. $25.00 per hour.
Proofreading: We take an already-copyedited document
and look it over one final time, checking for any remaining errors or
inconsistencies. Proofreading is best done after the document is laid
out—either by us or by a designer of your choice. In this case, we work with
copy sent to us by fax or by e-mail in PDF format. (The PDF copy can also be
mailed to us through the Postal Service.) $20 per hour.
Publication Design: For printed or electronic
newsletters and brochures, we create an effective and attractive design. For
your other print or electronic documents, we can outsource your design needs to
reputable online designers. (See under Helpful Links for a recommended Web site
designer, for example.) Quoted per job.
NOTE: In Substantive Editing and Copyediting, 1) we
can edit using the “Track Changes” function and comment panes of Microsoft
Word™, or 2) we can edit on hard
copy, using written interlinear corrections, marginal comments, and Post-it™
slips for queries. For designing newsletters and brochures, we use the latest
version of Microsoft Publisher™.