Services

Editing should be, especially in the case of old writers, a counselling rather than a collaborating task. The tendency of the writer-editor to collaborate is natural, but he should say to himself, "How can I help this writer to say it better in his own style?" and avoid "How can I show him how I would write it, if it were my piece?" —James Thurber

Seattle Editing Offers a Full Range of  Services 

Seattle Editing's services are designed to fit every budget and almost every writing task.  As your editor, I'll work with you to elevate your writing to the highest point. See more about my editing approach here.

Coaching

 My coaching services, offered at a reasonable cost, provide invaluable support for writers who need help planning and developing their first draft. When you sign up for coaching, I'll craft a plan tailored to your specific needs, ensuring it aligns with your goals.

Cost: $20 per 1/2 hour

Manuscript Assessment for Fiction and Nonfiction

The manuscript assessment is a comprehensive process designed to give clients a clear understanding of their manuscript's potential. To receive yours, send me the first 20,000 words of your manuscript. I'll read the manuscript twice, taking notes as I go. After going over my notes, I'll write a critique letter that assesses the manuscript's strengths and weaknesses and specific suggestions (aincluding examples) for improvement. 

When I assess fiction, the criteria include theme, genre, readers, plot structure, subplots, pacing, settings, character development, dialogue, narrative style, voice, point of view, diction, and style.  

The criteria for nonfiction include thesis, genre/readers, development, organization, logical flow, clarity, voice, style, diction, and pacing. 

  Cost: $400 

Developmental Editing 

Developmental editing assesses the entire manuscript and includes two hours of coaching, plus a longer, more detailed critique letter.  The critique letter for a developmental edit is much longer and more in-depth than the one for the manuscript assessment. 

Cost: For an 80,000-word manuscript: $1,200 (Add $200 for each additional 10,000 words.)

The following services are done in track changes, so clients can decide which edits to accept and which to reject.

Copyediting 

Copyediting usually requires a couple of passes. Heavy editing addresses organization, development, and clarity. It may involve fact-checking as well.

Typically, copyediting will identify any of the following:

• • • redundancies & inconsistencies
    • inaccuracies (such as wrong dates)
    • weak sentence style 
    • inappropriate or inconsistent tone
    • lack of transitions and signposts 
    • problematic word choice
    • confusing tense shifts or wrong use of tense
    • grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation errors

Cost: .02–.04 per word

Line Editing

Line editing focuses on the sound and style of your writing, aiming to enhance overall consistency. While I also identify errors, my primary objective is to elevate the quality of your work. I do this by pinpointing areas where the writing may be unclear, wordy, or lacking in transitions or signposts. This process ensures that your edited document meets the desired standard.

Cost: .03 per word

Proofreading

Even after the manuscript has been edited and revised, it may need a final pass to eliminate any remaining errors. Proofreading also checks for proper sequencing, accurate cross-references and documentation, and consistency in spelling, punctuation, fonts, and capitalization. 

Cost: .025 per word