LITERARY ART CAREERS: Editing that manuscript for a fee

Anthea


QUESTION: Dear Anthea
I have written a poetry book, and am writing my autobiography. Can you assist me with the editing? How much will this cost me?
Charles

Dear Sir Charles
You did not indicate what type of editing you needed to do, so I am taking the liberty to explain a few things to you which will guide you on the services you seek and an idea of the fees in general.

FIRSTLY, there are several forms of editing, which requires technical skill, knowledge of the area as well as language. Editing is done for example to scientific journals, newspapers, academic writings, poetry, proposals etc. Aside from the text editing, please be reminded that other elements are also checked at higher levels of the editing process such as formatting.

THEREFORE THE LIST OF EDITING TYPES ARE CHIEFLY:

DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING includes any or all of the following:
(Time period negotiable)

  • Working with the client and, usually, the author of a book or other document to develop a manuscript from initial concept, outline, or draft (or some combination of the three) through any number of subsequent drafts
  • Making suggestions about content, organization, and presentation, based on analysis of competing works, comments of expert reviewers, the client’s market analysis, and other appropriate references
  • Rewriting, writing, and researching, as needed, and sometimes suggesting topics or providing information about topics for consideration of authors and client.

PS: Some persons refer to this as ghostwriting owing to the volume and kind of work in terms of rewriting involved. However note that ghostwriters are professionally paid to write on another’s behalf, and most times without revealing their own identity, as if working undercover.
SUBSTANTIVE EDITING is done with the main aim of improving a manuscript. Time period is negotiable. It includes any or all of the following:

  • Identifying and solving problems of overall clarity or accuracy
  • Reorganizing paragraphs, sections, or chapters to improve the order in which the text is presented
  • Writing or rewriting segments of text to improve readability and flow of information
  • Revising any or all aspects of the text to improve its presentation
  • Consulting with others about issues of concern
  • Incorporating responses to queries and suggestions creating a new draft of the document

COPY EDITING or LINE EDITING (in general time period can be 3 working days) includes any or all of the following:

  • Correcting spelling, grammar, punctuation, syntax, and word usage while preserving the meaning and voice of the original text
  • Checking for or imposing a consistent style and format
  • Preparing a style sheet that documents style and format
  • Reading for overall clarity and sense on behalf of the prospective audience
  • Querying the appropriate party about apparent errors or inconsistencies
  • Noting permissions needed to publish copyrighted material
  • Preparing a manuscript for the next stage of the publication process
  • Cross-checking references, art, figures, tables, equations, and other features for consistency with their mentions in the text

Copy editors usually corrects problems of grammar, style, repetition, word usage, and jargon. They also usually include one revision, if only ‘insignificant’ changes are made, at no extra charge.
PROOFREADING
(on average can be 2 working days)
The process involves comparing the latest stage of text with the preceding stage, marking discrepancies in text, and, when appropriate, checking for problems in page makeup, layout, color separation, or type. PROOFREADING may also include one or more of the following:

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