Manuscript editing is a complex task that requires retaining in one's memory the features and details of an entire story or novel while finding the best way to say what the writer wants to say.
My copy-editing service includes a thorough editing of a writer's completed, typed book-length manuscript (fiction or nonfiction) with emphasis on correcting problems (or recommending remedies if the writer wishes to make his own corrections) so that there is correctness and consistency in style, form, voice, content, plot, storyline, grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Unless you request another style guide, I use the MLA Style Guide as a guide for grammatical and structural needs in the manuscript.
I copy-edit books, magazine articles, short stories, and essays. I work with Microsoft Word files or with hard copy. Manuscripts should be formatted as follows: 12-point Helvetica, Arial, or Times New Roman typeface, upper and lower-case letters; black ink; double spaced; with one-inch margins on top, bottom and both sides. If you submit hard copy, please use white paper and black ink.
I offer three options for editing a manuscript:
-- Using the Track Changes tool in Microsoft Word, I can make changes directly to the document file of the manuscript and then return the modified/corrected file to the writer.
-- Working with the document file, I use the Track Changes tool in Microsoft Word to highlight errors and corrections, and then return the highlighted file to the writer so he or she can accept or reject the changes as the Track Changes tool designates. Be advised that this method can create problems if one change is accepted and a change that follows it is not.
-- I can mark changes and corrections directly on a hard-copy printout of the manuscript and return the hard copy to the writer so that he or she can make changes as desired.
If there are questions about information in a writer's manuscript while I am working on it, I ask the writer for clarification or assistance regarding content or make a note in the marked-up manuscript that information needs to be clarified. I do not independently research outside materials for content. On request, at the rate of $50 per hour, I do research outside materials for verification of source. I may also research outside materials if I suspect that a portion of the work may be plagiarized. If a work is determined to be plagiarized in part or in all, I advise the writer that the author(s) of the plagiarized sections must be documented in writing in the text and in a bibliography, or the passage must be changed substantially so that it represents a credited interpretation of the original author's work. If the writer does not wish to make text changes, my work on the manuscript will cease and the uncompleted manuscript will be returned to the writer. No refunds will be made on work that is not completed due to plagiarism.
Effective June 25, 2010, the rate for editing is 2 cents ($.02 USD) per word based on the total word count in a completed manuscript at the time it is submitted for editing. The manuscript will be read twice. You may determine the cost of editing your manuscript by multiplying the number of words in your manuscript by the rate of 2 cents per word. (Example: 75,000-word manuscript x .02/word = $1,500 for copy editing; 50,000-word manuscript x .02 = $1,000.) Each additional reading of the manuscript (in the event of reading following a revision) will be done at the rate of 1 cent per word based on the total word count of the manuscript.
Payment terms include 50% down at the time project is started, with the remaining balance due before the completed manuscript will be returned. No credit will be extended to any client.
Manuscript editing services must be scheduled. Please inquire about scheduling, rates, and availability before sending your manuscript. E-mail and telephone inquiries about manuscript editing services are welcome. When you make an inquiry, be sure to provide your complete name, mailing address, and telephone number. Please provide the following information about your manuscript:
+ Word count
+ Fiction or nonfiction
+ One-sentence description of the subject or topic of the manuscript
+ Age/audience level for whom manuscript is intended
+ Date completed manuscript is needed, if applicable
Now you can pay online for manuscript editing services using Paypal.
You can pay for manuscript editing services easily and conveniently with a credit card using Paypal. To schedule your manscript editing service, contact Susan by email to arrange a schedule. Once you have completed that, you can submit your 50% down payment using Paypal.
To determine the amount of your 50% down payment, first determine the total number of words in your manuscript. This number is your total word count. Divide the total word count of your manuscript by 2 to determine the 50% word count. Then divide the 50% word count by 1,000 (this is the word count on which the per-unit editing rate is established on Paypal) to determine the Quantity -- the number that you will need to enter in the Quantity box on the Paypal order form.
Here's an example: If the total word count of your manuscript is 72,000 words, then divide 72,000 by 2 to arrive at a 50% word count of 36,000 (70,000/2=36,000). The next step is to divide your word count by 1,000. The result is 36. This is the Quantity you will enter in the Quantity box on the Paypal order form. You will then click on "Update Totals" so that Paypal can calculate the amount you owe.
To check out, use the pulldown bar at next to the gold Paypal "Buy Now" button the bottom of this page to specify the status of your editing service (initial or followup). Then click on the Paypal button. A Paypal order form will appear in your browser window. Enter the result of your Quantity determination in the Quantity box and click the Update Totals box. A calculation will occur, resulting in a Total Amount Due. This is the 50% down payment amount. Then log in to Paypal to complete the transaction by credit card.
After you have completed payment, you may send your manuscript as a Microsoft Word file to Susan at sue.ferguson.editor@gmail.com. You will receive email confirmation of receipt of your manuscript and payment. You will be notified when half of the manuscript editing has been completed so that you can submit the remaining balance due. To calculate the balance due, use the same process that you used to determine the 50% down payment.
If you prefer, you can mail a check made payable to Susan Ferguson, c/o Ferguson Editorial & Design, 365 Northview Road, Sedona AZ 86336. Be sure to include your email address so that you can receive a confirmation of payment.
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