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!
Black Dust Mambo
To start off, I have not read any other of the Phoenix books. I picked up the book based on the title, the premise, and what I read in the description at Amazon. As anyone knows who has read my reviews, all you have to do is mention Louisiana and it's people, culture, and belief and I am right there, trying it out.This book is not the best I have ever read on the subject, but it is very, very far from the worst. I have great hopes for this as an ongoing series, it shows great promise. It does, indeed, take place in one 24-hour period. Some people didn't like that, I found it a great take on a beginning. But then, I liked the series "24" also. Fast action is my forte. What is more interesting to me is world-building and character development. Phoenix does the one in a fast, solid, believable manner, which I find quite encouraging. Hers is a realistic subculture, which could very much be set within our own world. The character development is short, but concise, and will give us the opportunity to learn the characters over time. I like that.
As for the comment from one reviewer that the Voudon was not well realized, one must realize that not everyone is a Voudon practitioner, just as not everyone is Catholic. Those are some strange rites there, too, but I don't have to know how to do them, or necessarily want to. And besides, if I want a lecture on Voudon, all I have to do is go to my bookcase. But be that as it may, she may not have gotten it 'right' in some expectations, but this is, after all, a novel. Right?
As for the 'romance' I really liked that it was, in some people's estimation, "slow." Hey, this WAS set in a 24-hour period, right? Shouldn't it take a bit of time to develop a 'love interest'? So many books of this type today are thinly veiled erotica with very little story line, it is refreshing to see a female lead not jumping right into bed in the first chapter with the character you hope to see as the 'love interest'. I am hoping Ms. Phoenix allows the relationship to grow over time. MUCH more interesting in the long run! (Of course, I wouldn't have kicked Gabe out of bed either - a shame he had to get killed off in the first 2 pages! lol)
I didn't really care for the language that much - I despise the word "ain't" and cringed every time it came up. But, having lived in the South for thirty years, I understand what the author is saying - I just don't have to like it! But, then again, it wouldn't be realistic without it, so, be that as it may.
All in all, I have already downloaded "Black Dust Loa" and am looking forward to seeing if she meets the promise of the first book. I am also checking out her other books, and will find it interesting to see if Ms. Phoenix lands on my "must read" list.