Services & Rates
I charge by the word for editing, based on the unedited version you send me, so that you will always know in advance what you are going to pay. Here are my services and general rates in 2021:
COPYEDITING
2.9¢ per word ($43.50 per 1500 words)
Copyediting focuses on grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, syntactic clarity, and basic continuity, and includes my proofreading service. This rate includes a reasonable back-and-forth process so that you can revise your work based on my editing and I can make final edits on your revisions.
CONTENT EDITING
4.2¢ per word ($63.00 per 1500 words)
Content editing focuses on bigger-picture aspects, including style, substance, direction, thematic content, structural clarity, and large-scale continuity.
BOTH TOGETHER
5.9¢ per word ($88.50 per 1500 words)
Hire me for the works and save over a penny on every word!
CONSULTANCY / READING
$40 per hour
If you need help bringing a concept together, getting a book off the ground, or otherwise organizing a writing project, my consulting services can supply you with the feedback and structural planning you need. If you need me to read large amounts of your work, my reading rate is the same as my consultation rate.
Discounts & Credits
5% Single Parent Discount:
I am happy to offer a 5% discount to single parents.
5% Student Discount:
I am also happy to offer a 5% discount to financially independent college students.
(Those two discounts stack, so it's 10% if you are both!)
Large Project Discount:
I offer a discount for large projects worth at least $1,000. Ask for details!
Reading Charge Credit:
If I charge you my reading rate for reading a large amount of your work—let's say, a novel—and you go on to contract me as your editor for that same material, I will credit that amount to your editing bill.
Loyalty Rates:
I revise my rates each year to reflect inflation and market value. For longtime clients who have invested a lot in my services, I often grandfather the old rates, or increase rates more slowly. This is effectively a loyalty discount, a way for me to show my appreciation for a client's business.
Charges & Fees
3% PayPal Surcharge:
I take virtually all client payments through PayPal. PayPal currently charges 2.90% on each transaction, plus 30¢. The recouping percentage for that (excluding the 30¢) is 2.99%, so with the 30¢ I round it up to 3%.
New Client Down Payment:
I reserve the right to ask new clients for a down payment, typically either 50% of the first invoice or the first $50 of work. This one-time, up-front payment protects me against people who have no intention of paying.
$5 Check / Money Order Handling Fee:
If you prefer not to use PayPal, I charge a $5 handling fee for checks or money orders.
Rush Fee:
When you need an urgent project completed without prior notice, in a way that is physically possible for me but would disrupt my work schedule or otherwise be significantly difficult, I am able to offer my availability by charging my rush fee, which can range from 5% to 300% depending on the situation. I will always let you know in advance whether a rush fee will apply (usually there is none), and how much it will be, so that you can decide whether it's worth it.
$39 Retainer Fee:
Sometimes my work schedule fills up completely. Paying the optional monthly retainer fee (currently $39/month) guarantees that I will always be available to edit for you during that month. (Urgent work not previously scheduled is still subject to a rush fee.)
Late Fee:
Invoices that are not paid within 30 days of being sent will be subject to a 1.5% late fee.
Paper Fee:
I do virtually all of my editing electronically, on Microsoft Word or open source software. (I can work with virtually all common file formats.) However, for an additional fee I will edit on paper instead. Ask for details.
Free Consultation & Editing Sample
I provide all prospective clients with a free consultation (up to an hour's worth) to help determine whether I am right for the job. This includes some complimentary reading (up to 1,000 words or thereabouts). Get in touch with me and we'll talk about your project, goals, and deadlines; I will answer any questions you have.
If you're considering contracting for my services, and have a project worth at least $50, I also offer a free sample copyedit of your work, up to 300 words. Get in touch!
