An experienced editor, I routinely contract with authors to review their nonfiction book manuscripts. My editing focuses on the following:

• Clarity
• Grammar
• Organization
• Punctuation
• Readability
• Redundancies
• Sentence structure
• Spelling
• Subject/verb agreement
• Stylistic consistency
• Tightening of writing
• Word choice

Rate: $3.50 to $6.50 per page.

Page rates are based on a standard manuscript page length of 275 words (roughly equivalent to a double-spaced page formatted in 12-point Times New Roman font with 1-inch margins all around). To figure your editing fee, the standard page count will be calculated by dividing the total number words in your manuscript by 275.

1.     Drop me an email (mary@boonewrites.com) and attach (as a Word document) the first 10 pages of

       your manuscript. Be sure to include:

          Your name

          Email address

          Phone number

          Address

          Manuscript title

          Document length (total word count)

          Editing deadline

2.     I will review your project and provide a price quote and approximate turnaround time based on the 

       level of editing required, the document’s length and the requested deadline. There is no fee or

       obligation associated with a quote. I reserve the right to refuse to edit any manuscript.

3.     If we agree to work together, I’ll send you two copies of my contract via U.S. Mail. You’ll need to

        review and sign the contracts (one is for your records, one is for mine) and send the following to

        me:

          Signed contract

          Hard copy of your manuscript (will not be returned to you)

          Down payment (see payment information, below)

4.     Send an email (mary@boonewrites.com) to let me know you’ve mailed the contract; attach an

        electronic version of your manuscript.

5.       I work only with electronic documents in Microsoft Word. I use Word’s Track Changes option

         (under the tools menu) so you’ll be able to see changes I make to the text and my comments or

         questions about your manuscript. You can choose to display or hide these editing marks; you

         also can decide to accept or reject indicated changes.

6.       Each manuscript goes through a three-step editing process:

          Step 1 – I do an initial, quick edit while reading the manuscript all the way through.

                      This allows me to get a feel for the writing.

          Step 2 – I perform a thorough edit while reading the manuscript a second time.

          Step 3 – Final editing occurs during a third review of the manuscript.

Payment

A 40 percent down-payment is required before editing can begin. The remainder of the fee will be

invoiced upon completion of the project and is due within 30 days of receipt of the invoice. I accept money orders and personal checks.

References

I’ve worked with authors who’ve written about topics ranging from cooking and parenting to marketing

and public relations. I strive to tighten and improve manuscripts without losing the author’s voice and style. I gladly will provide contact information for authors who can answer your questions about my services.