Fees

Fees vary with complexity of the task. A good reference (as a starting point) is the most recent EFA Rate Chart, which you can find here:

https://www.the-efa.org/2024-efa-rate-chart-now-available/

For copy editing, I bill by the page (refer to the EFA Rate Chart), with a $50 nonrefundable initial fee for a 1,000-word sample edit. This fee also covers any communication regarding author and editorial style conventions.

Most of my projects, however, require the contract and fee details described in the following sections.

Contracts and NDA

For developmental and line editing projects, expect to see two contracts and a nondisclosure agreement (NDA):

• Initial contract: Covers email/phone calls, preliminary research, and sample chapter review. Timeline: 2 weeks. Standard fee: $300.
• Full contract: Defines schedule and scope of work (editorial rounds, editing level, other deliverables we discuss). Timeline: variable. Fee: see EFA Rate Chart.
• Nondisclosure agreement (NDA): Ensures your privacy and ideas are protected. Per this agreement, I will not discuss you or your ideas without your written consent. 

Payment schedule

For a typical 60,000 to 80,000-word manuscript, the payment schedule is as follows:

• Initial fee: Standard fee ($300). Due upon signing of initial contract and NDA. Nonrefundable.
• 50% deposit: Half the project fee minus initial fee already paid. Due upon signing of full project. Nonrefundable.
• Balance in full: Upon completion of work. I will “release” the manuscript (in writing) upon receipt of final payment. If you cancel the project, I’ll bill for hours worked ($70/hr). 

If your schedule is flexible, I may be able to accommodate a payment plan with interest charged for late payments.

📌Important Reminders

I do not edit free samples. For paid sample edits, I require complete manuscripts so that I can choose a sample that is representative of the whole work. I begin editing only after we’ve signed a contract and I’ve received a deposit for my time.

I do not use AI technology for editorial work. If you choose to use AI to create your manuscript, that’s your decision. But I will need you to sign a form releasing me from any liability related to copyright infringement caused by AI borrowing text from published sources. If I become aware of a pervasive plagiarism issue, I will likely terminate work and bill a project “kill fee” for work completed, which you can either discard or keep without crediting me.

I work in Microsoft Word. At this time, I’m not able to accommodate live-collaboration programs such as Google Docs or Microsoft SharePoint (mostly due to technical restraints on my end).