FAQ

What genres do you edit?

I am a go-to editor for journalism, persuasive writing, general nonfiction, and not-too-technical academic prose. (I don’t edit math or any of the hard sciences. I don’t edit philosophy—or any other discipline that uses specialized terms in very precise ways. I do edit history, sociology, and, sometimes, psychology.)

As for fiction, I’m a generalist. I’m a big lover of the nineteenth-century novel; my personal writing style is probably closer to a mid-twentieth-century sensibility. I am not your best choice for genre fiction.

Why should I pay you when my publisher will send my manuscript to a copyeditor for me?

If you have a reputable publisher and confidence in its editors, you shouldn’t. However, please keep in mind that even the major publishing houses use freelancers these days, and not every freelancer is as good as the next. For example, I recently read two books by the same distinguished New Yorker author, put out by the same prestigious publisher (some years apart). Both were beautifully written and fascinating. One was nearly error-free; the other was plagued by tense and agreement errors, dangling modifiers, and even a few run-on sentences. It was distracting and dispiriting to me as a reader.

If you don’t have a publisher and want one, getting your manuscript in shape is essential.

 Why should I choose you over other editors?

You should choose me if and only if you like my style and think you’d like to work with me. Please note that I am a stickler for grammar and logic. I enjoy interacting with authors, and I prefer to chat, by phone or video, when we first start working together. (The actual editing, no matter how many rounds, tends to work best by email.)

Do you check facts?

I do not offer a fact-checking service alone. If I am editing your writing, you may be sure that I will confirm spelling, verify your math (within reason), make sure that you don’t say “east” when you mean “west,” and the like. This is not a substitute for the kind of rigorous process a published nonfiction piece should undergo. I will not make calls to confirm quotes, and I will not visit people or places to confirm descriptions.

If I am in the middle of a manuscript and find that I’m seeing more than the usual number of small factual errors, I will let you know immediately.

How do you determine your rates?

I base my rates on my expertise as well as the amount of time and effort needed for the various types of editing I do. (Rush jobs will trigger higher rates.) For most jobs, the author provides a sample, I provide a sample edit and an estimate, and we agree on a flat fee for the project. (There are some situations, such as those when no sample is possible, when it makes sense to charge by the hour.)

What program(s) do you use?

I prefer to use Word, with changes tracked unless you request otherwise.

Will you refer me to a literary agent or publisher?

I do not have the breadth of connections to make such referrals. There are other freelancers—often not text editors—who specialize in helping writers get published, and I can give you the name of one of them.

Will you guarantee perfection?

No. But I will guarantee you’ll be amazed at how close you’ll come.