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!
First Grave on the Right
I am totally enamored with Charley - and with every other character in Jones' hysterical take on what it means to be the Grim Reaper - whether you asked for it or not.There are many women who write well, some humorous, some serious, but Jones puts forth a brilliant first effort in the Charley Davidson series that has me alternately admiring her writing skills, and rolling on the floor laughing at her humour. You really LIKE Charley, Cookie, and the gang, and want to see them succeed in their lives - - because even if you are the Reaper, you don't 'have' to be "Grim." I listened to First Grave on the Right, like I do so many other books, from the Audible.com site. Read by the wonderfully talented Loreli King, whose voice carries every character she ever does with aplomb, I gulped down the first installment in a day, then immediately grabbed Second Grave on the Left, and tonight, in the middle of the book, my battery on my Zune went down - OH, the Humanity!!!! Guess I will just have to sleep tonight instead of sitting up all night listening again. I have a fresh bag of coffee beans and a whole Sunday to enjoy the rest of this new obsession of mine.
While I have made mention of the humour in Jones' series, the pathos of the story of Reyas and his life is a crushing reminder of just how vicious and uncaring fate can actually be. It doesn't matter if you are the six-year-old with leukemia, or a Son of Satan, (who is SO unlike his father) come to Earth to live as a 'real boy' only to have his dream turn into a nightmare. Life can be a series of horrors the likes of which even Poe or Dostoyevsky could not do justice to - Jones does a moving rendition of the pain that humans can cause in another persons life with a depth of caring that is both well considered and well written.
Bravo, Ms. Jones. I see that Third Grave Dead Ahead is scheduled for publication January, 2012. I have already set it on my calendar to grab it as soon as it arrives - I can hardly wait!