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 Three Doors
I will admit that this book took a lot longer to get through than my usual “swallow in one gulp” reading style. When I was first asked to read the book for review I expected something quite different. I was surprised, interested and sometimes disappointed, sometimes deeply engrossed.It is important that I be clear that I am not a “Christian” as many people are. In my mind, any creature capable of creating the absolute wonder of universes without end is so far beyond our comprehension as to be totally incomprehensible to a mere human. Hence, I rarely pay attention to Christian metaphors and belief systems. Too much cruelty and hatred for my sensibilities. However, one cannot grow up in the world we have without being subjected to the trials and tribulations of the Christian/Jewish/Hebrew/Muslim mindsets and belief systems. Especially those concepts regarding “good” and “evil”. Everyone is so sure they are right, they are willing to commit the most horrendous acts to prove their own ‘holiness.’
Mr. Holland is well versed in the horrors of the twisted in religion and uses his knowledge to great effect in “The Three Doors.” This book is definitely a morality play. The lines between good and evil are sharply drawn within the construct of “God” and “Lucifer” using characters you either love or hate. The scene is set in a “small-town America” that anyone could recognize and identify with, thus adding to the creepy feeling engendered by the book. There is definitely horror laced throughout the book which will be deeply satisfying for any horror aficionado. But what I really liked about it is the “creepy” factor that kept me reading when I would have otherwise stopped to do things like eat and sleep.
Overall, the book as much to recommend it. The writing is good, the characters are solidly written and in their way believable. This definitely isn’t a book for children, as it is both frightening and bloody as well as containing some really twisted sex scenes. For a horror novel, Mr. Holland truly makes you feel the horror. It is scary, suspenseful and often creepy. I applaud Mr. Holland for a well written, gripping tale!
Blood, gore, sex scenes and deep evil enclosed. If you love a good horror novel, this is a must read.
About my star ratings:
5 stars I was totally engrossed with the book. The characters and world building was immaculate, the story held together and kept me interested at all times. I groaned when I finished it because now I have to wait for another by this author! Goes immediately to my “must buy” list and the book goes onto my “pull out to read when I want to read something really good” shelf.
4 stars: Still engrossing, these books still need to fully develop, but they are awesome in their own right. I will definitely be checking out the authors next book, and she/he went on my list of “watch for this author.” The book isn’t quite ‘there’ yet, or I am expecting to see something kick-butt coming with the next book and don’t want to give out that 5 star rating quite yet, even if I am thrilled with what the author has accomplished so far.
3 stars: These are the books I am on the fence about for some reason. They are good. Usually well written or have good character development and world-building. Some reasons for 3 stars are less than exceptional editing, rough patches in the writing style, problems with characters or storyline, or that the book just simply isn’t to my particular tastes. It isn’t a bad book, in a lot of cases it just doesn’t ring my particular bell.
2 stars: OK, things are getting ugly. Poor writing, sloppy editing and lack of care in development will drop off stars every time. Two star ratings are for those books that disappoint me, especially when I expected so much more from the writer. A writer who has developed a good character in a previous novel and then blows it will get themselves a two if I have been encouraged to expect more from them. The book leaves a bad taste in my mouth, and takes the author out of contention for any more book sales to me.
1 star: I save this one for special cases. I have never given this rating to a new author, I wouldn’t be that cruel. Simply putting out the effort and placing your soul out there for others to see deserves more respect. What I save the one stars for are authors who should know better and still make me throw a book across the room and scream. These are the books that totally tear apart the worlds they have so carefully built and spit on their characters. Not only do these books make me sick, they send me on a rampage of snarked off that can last for days