How much will it cost? That depends. Every job is different. The rates given below are guidelines. Please contact me for a project-specific quote.
If your text is in great shape and needs a quick final proofread for typos and grammatical errors I am likely to be able to read more than 3000 words in an hour. For material which needs more intensive work I might read less than 1000 words per hour. Other tasks, such as checking a bibliography, are time intensive and the number of words is not the only factor when estimating the time it will take to complete the job.
You might need work done urgently and be willing to pay for me to work outside my normal hours. You might be booking my time several months ahead so that I block that time specifically for you.
All these variables mean I don't have a fixed price per word. What I will do is look at a sample of your text (e.g. book extract or journal article) so that I can judge how much work is necessary and how long it will take.
Standard service
Turnaround time: 30 days from receiving your manuscript
Cost: $80/hour
My standard development editing service is particularly useful if you are on a limited budget or if you are an experienced writer.
You will receive a report providing:
• an overall summary of my findings and recommendations.
• a description of what is working well.
• a detailed discussion of areas that are not working so well and why, with suggestions for improvement.
Premium service
Turnaround time: 30–40 days from receiving your manuscript
Cost: $80/hour
In addition to the report detailed in the standard service, you will also receive an edited copy of your manuscript.
This will follow the recommendations in the report and all changes will be tracked.
Turnaround time: 2 weeks from receiving your draft proposal
Cost: $950/proposal
Your book proposal, whether academic or trade, should argue the business case for why your book should exist and persuade a publisher to invest in you. I can assist with all aspects of book proposal preparation.
You will receive:
• a report based on my initial readthrough.
• a 30-minute follow-up consultation (over Zoom).
• a developmental edit of the proposal following any changes you make as a result of the consultation.
Turnaround time: depends on manuscript length – around a week for a journal article and a month for a book
Cost: $15–20/500 words
I will ensure there is a consistent, accurate presentation throughout and that the text flows. Errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation will be corrected. I can also check references, and ensure that figures and images are in the right place, and that hyperlinks work.
You will receive:
• an edited copy of your manuscript, with all changes tracked.
• a style sheet containing information about any spelling, grammatical, and formatting choices relevant to your manuscript.
• an additional 30 minutes of my time for any follow-up questions you have.
Turnaround time: depends on manuscript length – around a week for a journal article and a month for a book
Cost: $13–18/500 words
Proofreading is a final check on your document before it is published. This service picks up any last typographical errors and formatting issues. My proofreading service does not include reference checking or cross-checking, though I will ensure they are formatted consistently and in accordance with the style guide.
You will receive:
• a proofread copy of your manuscript, with all changes tracked.
• a style sheet containing information about any spelling, grammatical, and formatting choices relevant to your manuscript.
My rates align with the recommended minimum rates available from the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) and the Editorial Freelancers Association (EfA).
For more information or a quote, please contact me.
