So, I Read This Book Today . . .
Editing Fees and Guidelines
As my editing jobs have become more numerous, I have updated my Editing Fees and Guidelines. My editing and proofreading includes checking for grammar, sentence structure, misspellings, and pointing out plot inconsistencies, etc. At this time, my base charge is $0.008/word, with a minimum of $50, payable via PayPal. Editing jobs I am currently working on, received before May 1, 2014, will continue to be edited at the old rate.
If your manuscript is less than 5,000 words please let me know and we can work out pricing. I prefer to set up appointments for your manuscript, but please, send your manuscripts to me as early as possible. I can often work them in sooner than they are scheduled, but advance notice is much easier.
I use Microsoft Word 2013. I use the Track Changes application while I edit and leave the decision as to whether or not to accept those changes to you. I also tend to leave extensive notes outlining the reason for specific changes, noting uneven or awkward sentence or paragraph flow, or even if I noticed something that just doesn’t feel right.
Full editing is completed in one of two ways. The first choice is that I completely edit the book and provide you with a corrected copy, highlighting changes and corrections and making when appropriate extensive notes. Your second choice is full editing. I take the book in hand, do all corrections and changes and provide you with print ready copy. The charge for print ready copy is $0.010/word.
Please note: Books from authors who speak English as a second language, hence requiring a great deal more correction for grammar, or books with extensive re-write may be significantly more. You may send me your book for pricing if you feel there may be extensive work needed on the book. Pricing available upon request.
After I have edited a manuscript, I will send it back to you. Once you have made changes, you can always send it back to me for a second pass at no charge. Please note: If second-pass changes are truly extensive, I will reserve the right to bill a second payment for the second pass. I want to be fair to you, but I also want to be fair to myself. Just as writing is difficult, though rewarding, editing a book in a manner that will make you proud of your final product is a lot of work.
For available books on which I have worked, please see my “i-edited” shelf on Goodreads. You may contact any of the authors with whom I’ve worked for a reference. I am also very willing to provide you a sample of my work to see if we are a comfortable fit. I can be easily contacted through Goodreads or by e-mail at soireadthisbooktoday@centurylink.net
I look forward to working with you!
The Shining
The Shining. Originally published in 1977, The Shining is truly a shining example of vintage Stephen King. We all remember, of course, (or, I would think you would remember) the amazing Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance, father of Danny, husband of Wendy. (Heeeerrrrrees Johnny!) If you haven’t watched it, check it out on Amazon. If you like truly well done horror movies, this is a true joy to watch. And of course, The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park does an incredible job in it’s role as The Overlook Hotel, that most viciously haunted of Colorado Hotels, and the setting for the story. Click the link above for the real “haunted history” of the Stanley Hotel on their website! The Stanley may not be as haunted as the Overlook, but it still has its stories . . .There are reviews upon reviews of the book, of course, so I won’t say a lot about the story of the actions within the Overlook Hotel. However, having read it several times over the years I have to say this ‘listen’ drew my attention to something quite different. What truly caused Jack?
Yes, there are the monsters that live in the hotel, that is a given. But really, what caused them to be so easily able to control a “mild mannered professor” like Jack Torrance. Well . . . maybe the fact that he wasn’t really so “mild mannered” after all?
Jack Torrance is a monster, this is true. But, what made him that way? The history of Jack – but also of Wendy, is something I never really groked to (Heinlein, Stranger In A Strange Land) when I originally read the book (all the times I originally read the book, that is).
Generations. Generations of the history of the hotel. Generations of families, sick and twisted families, passing down their sickness to their own children. Passing on pain and brutality, alcoholism and drug use, obsessions and hatreds. Easy-peasy, massively skeezy. It certainly made me think even more than it ever has. King has a tight grasp on the horrors of child abuse, and how it flows, crushing and destroying the lives of each generation.
The horror of King shines – but even more deeply, the ‘real life’ horror is devastating, drawing me in even more deeply to the story than with any previous reading. Isn’t that odd? I have read it at least a half dozen times over the years. . . but for some reason, it just struck me this time. And I am glad it did.