Elizabeth Donald Editing Service

Why should you trust me to edit your project?

Never mind my work as a writer of horror and science fiction: I have ten years of experience in the newspaper business. At a daily newspaper, you have to catch the mistakes as you go. You can't trust that someone else will catch your goofs; you have to get it right the first time. In addition to my own news writing, I have edited thousands of articles written by others. I have fixed their mistakes, improved their word choices, and shaped their work to make it readable, interesting and enjoyable. I can spot disagreeing subjects and verbs at twenty paces, and in my three years as assistant city editor of a daily newspaper in northern Illinois, not one misspelled word got past me.

Not everyone requires the same level of editing. Some people need help from the start, to focus and shape their characters and find the story they really want to tell. Others simply need a second pair of eyes, to catch the slip-ups before the acquisitions editor sees them and tosses their hard work into the circular file.

Level 1: Full Critique. Plot structure, characterization, originality and theme evaluation, as well as word choice, language, sense of flow, grammar, punctuation, spelling, manuscript format. Includes a recommendation on sales possibilities, with at least three suggested markets. $4/page.

Level 2: Mid-Level Critique. Word choice, language, sense of flow, as well as grammar, punctuation, spelling, manuscript format. $3/page.

Level 3: Mechanics Critique. Grammar, punctuation, spelling, manuscript format only. $2/page.

Level 4: Overall Critique. Recommendation on sales possibilities, suggestions for the work that needs to be done. This is a very basic critique, does not include mechanics. $1/page.

Press release: $60, including computer file in Microsoft Word Macintosh format.
Book proposal: $150, with a $50 discount if I’ve edited the book. Includes two-page synopsis in accepted industry format and cover letter.
Advertising booklet: $100 for four pages, $25 each additional page. Includes text, photographs, layout. File furnished on Macintosh disk and one printed copy to take to the printers. Does not include full printing, but I can arrange for the printing at Kinko’s or equivalent printer at cost.
Column: $75 flat fee or 50 cents a word.
Book/movie reviews: $25 flat fee or 50 cents a word.
Typesetting: $3/page from handwritten, $2/page from typed, double-spaced pages. Page count will be from the final document, double-spaced 12-point Times New Roman font.
 
 

Q: How do I get my file to you?
A: You may provide a printed copy of the work, or email me a Microsoft Word, PDF or RTF file. Any other format must be discussed first. I work on a Macintosh, and most formats can be translated easily. If you prefer, I can have your file printed for you at cost. I will provide you with copies of the receipts for your own records, and can furnish the originals if necessary.

Q: What will my critique look like?
A: I prefer to write my editorial suggestions directly onto a printed page. If you prefer me to edit on the computer file itself, I will instruct Microsoft Word to track my changes so you can see what I've done. It allows you to decide if my edit meets with your goals and vision for the project. Second, it allows you to see where you are making the most errors, and hopefully you will be able to avoid them in the future.

Q: Don't I have to put you on the cover page as co-author?
A: Absolutely not. You are engaging my services as an editor, which is no different than paying Kinko's to photocopy the work. It is your work.

Q: Do I have to accept your changes?
A: NO. I hope that my input will be helpful for you, but in the end, it's your name on the cover page, and you have to feel comfortable with what we've done. If you decide that my word choice in that paragraph isn't what you saw in your mind's eye, don't worry about it. I will not be offended, I will not tear your story to pieces before your eyes and I will not drop the whole project in a huff. I will still bill you, however.

Q: Will you edit works-in-progress?
A: Yes, I will. I'll even make suggestions as you go. However, I do encourage you to finish your project before you send it to me. Stephen King wrote in "On Writing" that the first draft is written with the door shut, and the second draft with the door open. I've found that to be the best case. The first draft belongs to you. But if you need help along the way, I'm happy to step up to the plate.

Q: When do I pay you?
A: For most projects, the bill is sent when the project is complete. For major projects, such as novels, I reserve the right to bill monthly.

Q: How do I pay you?
A: I accept money orders and PayPal. Cash is acceptable if I'm working with you in person, but I urge you not to send cash through the mail. No checks, please.

Q: What's this, "plus expenses"? What am I getting into here?
A: Expenses are items like printing costs and postage. Any expenses will be discussed with you before I go forward. There will be no surprises in your bill. My favored print shop does black-and-white single-sided copies for 5 cents a page, which is the best price I've found yet.

Q: A page is how long?
A: For billing purposes, page count is defined as a double-spaced typed page on one side of a sheet. Single-spaced will count as double, as will printing on both sides of the page. Nice try. Handwritten works will be typeset first, because no term paper, short story or novel can be turned in to a professor or editor handwritten. See above charges on typesetting. To put it in perspective for you, a page is generally considered to be about 300 words long.

Q: Do you take international clients?
A: Yes, but English language only. Sorry, I tried to learn Spanish in college, but it just wouldn't stick. Also, there will be a small surcharge on international orders. It's just to cover the cost of PayPal's dual-currency exchange, no more. International postage and so on will be at-cost, with receipt copies provided.

Q: I've got this great idea for a novel. Will you write it for me?
A: Sorry. I've got lots of ideas of my own, and only limited time to spend on them. If your idea's so great, write it! Then you can send it to me for critiquing, and I'll be happy to help. But the heavy lifting is your job.

Q: My term paper is due to my professor on Friday! Help!
A: I can do rush jobs if necessary. There may be an extra charge if the turnaround is really severe. I may have several other jobs pending, and they all have to sit and wait while I scramble on your project. It's only fair to them that you pay a little extra for the privilege. If you dump fifty pages on me with 24 hours until deadline, we may have to talk.

Q: I need general writing help, not a specific edit.
A: Email me. We might be able to work something out.

Q: I need help, but I'm a broke college student.
A: Email me. Fair warning, though: I've got a family to feed. I can't work for free.

Q: If you're so great, why are you doing this?
A: He is seven years old, and he's a great kid. But he has this funny habit of requiring food and clothing on a regular basis. Seriously, it's the money. I'd love to say that I'm on a mission to improve the body of American literature and help the overstressed college student, or that I love shaping words and finding the best way to express an idea on paper, and all that is true. But in the end, it's a living.

Q: What do you mean, you don't know anything about quantum physics?
A: I'm a writer and newspaper reporter, not Albert Einstein. I can edit technical writing up to Level 2. I'll even look up the words I don't know. But I don't do your research for you, and I won't write the paper for you. My job is to help you communicate your ideas. I'll make sure you say "proton," not "pronoun." But don't blame me if your professor says, "Protons don't do that!"

Q: Can you help me get published?
A: Well, yes and no. By improving the story, I'm helping you improve your chances at getting published. But I am not an agent or a publisher. I cannot get your foot in the door. I can suggest markets for your work if you choose a Level 1 critique. But I am not affiliated with any agency or publication. This is to your advantage, by the way - ­ there are far too many agents operating scam machines, where they partner with an editing service designed to keep you paying fees and not to help you get published. Beware these people. The SFWA site has an excellent Preditors list; I advise you to check it out. I can also recommend Ralan.com as the best market listing that doesn't cost money, and WritersMarket.com as the best one that does. In the end, the foot in the door is really your work. Good writing eventually finds its home.

Q: Are you tax-deductible?
A: I am not an accountant or an agent, and I can give you no tax or career advice. However, I would suggest you discuss your writing expenses with your accountant or the IRS. Often, critique services and printing charges are tax-deductible if you are declaring your writing income on a Schedule C.

Q: I hate all your suggestions! I want my money back!
A: With all due respect, you hired me for my opinion. That's what you got. When you order a meal in a restaurant, you can't eat it all and then declare that it tasted lousy and you won't pay for it. On a larger project, it's probably best if we do a small portion first ­ - a short story, or the first chapter. That way you can see if I'm right for your project. I don't want you to waste your money, ­ but I won't waste my time, either.