Editing Procedure

This page should give you a clear idea of what to expect from editing services with Communicate Clearly.

The Price Quotation Process:

• After you submit the request services form, I will email you requesting a short synopsis or outline of your project.
• I will do a free sample edit (roughly five pages of a book-length manuscript) to make certain I understand the type of editing you want and to ensure that you are satisfied with the style and degree of the edits. (The sample should be a good representative of the entire manuscript. This means that if you have polished the first chapter but done only a first draft on later chapters, I need to see a sample from a later chapter.)
• You will receive two files:
  1. A marked copy using Word’s Track Changes with changes shown.
  2. A clean copy with all the changes ‘accepted’ so you can read the finished product without being distracted by the markups.
• If you are pleased with the sample, I will give you a quote on the cost and time to complete the project (based on the time required for the sample edit and the length of the complete manuscript).

The Editing Process:

• Every project goes through at least three rounds of editing:
  1. Copy/line/mechanical edit (correct grammar, punctuation, mechanics; verify facts and ensure consistency; clarify meaning and improve readability).
  2. Content/structural/substantive edit (revise/move text for better flow; recommend the addition or deletion of material; re-organize and re-structure content for flow and clarity).
  3. Proofreading (final review of entire manuscript after all changes have been made, including those made by other readers, if applicable).
• I will create a draft of each chapter (or other reasonable breakdown of the manuscript) to send it to you in increments for approval. As with the sample edit, you will receive both a marked-up copy and a clean copy.
• You can respond to the draft by marking changes on the document itself (the clean copy, preferably using Word’s Track Changes), sending me notes in an e- mail, or discussing by phone.
• I revise the draft and return to you; we repeat this as many times as needed to get the project to your satisfaction.

Payment:

• My hourly rate is based on the industry standard, and varies depending on the kind and size of the project. Small projects require a two-hour minimum. For large projects, we may negotiate a flat fee for the entire job.
• You will receive a bill for each increment as I send work for your approval; if we have negotiated a project fee, we will also negotiate a billing schedule.
• Payment can be made by check or PayPal.

Additional Information:

• Strict confidentiality of your information and your writing is guaranteed.
• I may ask another editor to read through the final draft, because a fresh set of eyes is always beneficial. Be assured, however, that I will be personally responsible for the final result and you will not incur any additional charges.
• I am usually in my office during business hours (Central time) and respond promptly to e-mails and phone calls.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Trisha