The editing process can be confusing for new authors. These are some of the most common questions I get. If your question is not addressed here, please contact me. I’m happy to help.

Q. Do I need an editor?

A. Yes. Editors lend an objective eye to help authors see their blind spots. They specialize in making the manuscript more attractive to the reader while keeping publishers and saleability in mind. It’s important to put your absolute best foot forward with every piece of writing—mistakes can mean the difference between being taken seriously as a writer or not. Because publishers are in more demand now than ever, they are looking for well-written manuscripts and typically reject those with errors. With major competition these days, publishers are looking for the best. Why would they want to spend their limited marketing dollars editing your book? I want your work to be the absolute best it can be the first time they lay eyes on it.

Editors uncover the blind spots. They ask tough questions to clarify a confusing concept, tighten up repetitive or wordy sections, and address errors you consistently make, like shifting tenses, passive voice, or structure issues. We also have a knack for catching those stray, sneaky errors that you can’t believe you missed.

Also, if a book has been poorly edited, it interferes with the reading experience, meaning that the author has not done his or her job communicating effectively. Think of editing dollars as part of the cost of investment, similar to funds you would spend on cover design, illustrations, marketing, and other expenses. A well-edited piece is worth every penny.


Q. Will my manuscript retain my style and voice?
A. Yes. You decide what you want to say and how you want to say it. Unless you contract for an edit that includes rewriting, I will not rewrite anything. I may make suggestions, which you can choose to allow or not, but my job is to take your writing and perform the things you contracted me for.

Q. What's the difference between line/copyediting and content/developmental editing?

A. Simplified, line editing is polishing the words on the page. This can be correcting subject/verb agreement, eliminating repetition, fixing spelling and grammar errors, cleaning up awkward phrasing, and so forth. Copyeditors go a step further and make sure the book has everything it needs to be ready to publish – copyright page details, chapter titles matching up with the Table of Contents, and so forth.

Content editing addresses the “bigger picture” of the book. In nonfiction, content editing addresses the clarity, completeness, consistency, and organization of the information being presented. And yes, in my humble opinion, every author should have both content and line editing performed. Many times the client thinks they just want a line edit or proofread, but when I start pointing out the structural issues in the book, they agree that they need a higher level of editing.


Q. How do I know if you're the right editor for me?

A. I will be happy to show you samples of my work for other clients or give you a sample edit of a few pages of your manuscript. Then you can see the difference between what I offer, what another editor might offer, or what you can do yourself. A sample edit of 3-5 pages of your manuscript helps me assess your strengths and challenges to determine the type of editing your manuscript requires. This is the primary way I can estimate the number of hours for major editing projects and for you to feel good about what I’m adding to the project.

Q. If I wish to retain you as my editor, what's next?

A. I prefer to have a phone call to talk things over and determine the next steps. If you like what you see and agree with my hourly fee, then we can discuss what your book needs and how many hours I believe it will take. I’ll provide what I think is needed, you can choose to agree or disagree, then we’ll put together a cost estimate and editorial service agreement that makes both of us happy. A cost estimate takes into consideration the word count, timing, and condition of the manuscript. Once we both agree on the terms and we’ve both signed the editorial service agreement, I can begin working. I charge an hourly fee of $65 for everything I do. I bill every ten hours. Super simple; I like it that way.

Q. What are the methods of payment?

A. Payments can be made via personal check, Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal payable within 15 days/net.

Q. I want to self-publish. Will you help me?

A. Yes. I can help you get your manuscript ready for self-publishing. This includes print, ebooks, and audiobooks. I have numerous connections with other professionals who I work closely with through the process, guiding them and you to get the book you are happy with. Costs will vary, which we will need to discuss.

Q. Since I’m not self-publishing, my commercial publisher will do the editing—right?

A. That’s true to a certain extent. However, unless you already have a book contract, your manuscript will need to be as error-free as possible if you want to attract their attention. Agents and publishers receive thousands of manuscripts each year. If they receive two with equally compelling stories and one contains grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes while the other is error-free, which one do you think they’ll accept? Don’t risk it! And don’t cheat yourself by pinching pennies to bypass a professional edit. You are worth it, and so is your book.

Q. Okay, you’ve convinced me—I need an editor. Can I pay you after I start making money on my book? Will you agree to part of the royalties as payment?

A. Unfortunately, no. I have to eat and pay my bills too! You wouldn’t ask your doctor to wait until you start feeling better before you pay him or her, would you? If you want your work to be taken seriously, consider the cost of editing as an investment in your writing success, just like any business investment you would make. I offer a service that will help you make your book better.

Q. How should I send the manuscript?

A. Documents can be transferred using email, dropbox, or any other cloud-based file-sharing service.

Q. Can I see the editing changes or comments about my writing style?

A. Yes. I use Track Changes in MS Word or Google Drive. I can send you a document outlining the major comments and changes, writing tips, or needs for clarification. See Track Changes Helps in the Resources section.

Q. Can you guarantee that a publisher or an agent will accept my book?

A. Unfortunately, I can’t make any guarantees about the saleability or marketability of the edited manuscript. I will, however, give you my very best effort to help get your book taken seriously.

Q. Can you guarantee there will be absolutely no errors?

A. I will sure try, believe me. It might help to understand that a typical book in a publishing house goes through 4–5 editors. I am only one person, and you can bet that I will review your work numerous times before it is considered “final.” If in one of the phases you notice an error, please call it to my attention, or better yet, fix it. The more eyes we have on it, the better! We’re a team, remember? Partners! While I may miss an error, know that I will do my absolute best to produce a 100 percent error-free document, though I know of no editor who makes that promise. They’d be crazy!