Explaining the Editorial Process
Are you considering working together but would still like to know more about what to expect before you commit? I completely understand! I have a short timeline listed on my Services page, but I would love to provide a little more information here.
Deciding to Work Together
The first step is filling out the Contact Me form on my website and attaching a sample of your work. If your work is a novel please send me a chapter or two so I can get a feel for your story and style of writing. If your work is a shorter piece you may send the whole thing and I will use a piece of it as a sample.
Once I receive your contact information and sample I will email you my Intake Questionnaire. This questionnaire will dive a little deeper into your wishes and needs for our work together and give me all the information I need to determine if I am a good fit for you and your project. Expect questions about your preferred method of contact, your specific goals and concerns about the project, and more.
After that we will schedule time to have a Project Discussion together. You can decide if you would like to have a phone or video discussion. This will give us the opportunity to “meet” each other and talk more in depth about the project. I will have completed a sample edit on the material you provided. I will share my thoughts on your sample and together we will decide on a time frame, talk about the level of editing needed/desired for the project, and have the time to talk more personally about the project together.
Our discussion will provide me with the information I need to send you a proposal and quote. Once you have decided on the services you want I will send you a contract which we will both sign before proceeding. Finally, before I begin work it is my policy that 50% of the bill is due up front. Then we will begin our work together!
The Editing Process
The editing process itself is more time consuming. Now that we have decided to work together you will need to send me the full manuscript. I will then begin my first pass. I will utilize Microsoft Word’s Track Changes and Comments features (see more about this in the blog How to Use Track Changes). Once I have finished my editing pass I will return your manuscript to you along with a style sheet and an editorial letter outlining the changes I have made and any suggestions I have.
Next, we will schedule time together for a Collaborative Consultation. This meeting will be scheduled so that you have enough time to first review my changes and suggestions. During this meeting we will discuss together the items I have brought up in my editorial letter and both of our thoughts at this point in the process. This is a time for us to ensure we are both on the same page. Your manuscript is very special and I know you have worked hard on it! I approach the editing process as your teammate, my main goal is to address your manuscript with the eyes of a reader keeping your audience at the forefront of my mind. There may be things I was confused about or didn’t understand how you intended. I find that a conversation is better to clear these up.
Before I begin my second, and final pass on your manuscript I will give you time to review the first pass, commenting, accepting, and rejecting changes as you see fit. Once I receive the manuscript back from you I begin my final pass. The final pass gives me a chance to catch anything I may have missed and edit any changes you made after the first pass and our discussion together.
I will alert you once I have completed the second pass on your project. I return your style sheet and manuscript to you once final payment has been processed.
Finally, the fun part! I will keep in touch so I don’t miss out when your manuscript is published! Know that you will always have a cheerleader rooting for you!
*Note that this process is intended for the three levels of copyediting I offer as well as a developmental edit. A proofreading service will include only one pass and the initial discussion before working together if you would like to speak before committing. A light copyedit may only need one pass, that will be discussed during our Project Discussion before the proposal and contract are agreed upon.