Frequently Asked Questions

Feel free to contact me if you don't find what you're looking for

What types of editing do you specialize in (developmental, line, copyediting, proofreading)?

Copyediting/line editing (checking grammar, usage, spelling, punctuation, and style consistency; rewriting for sentence structure and flow; and suggesting word choice changes)

Developmental editing (suggesting and making changes to content, ensuring all necessary information is included and all unnecessary information is deleted; and to organization, ensuring everything fits together with a logical presentation and natural sequential order)

Humanization of AI-generated text (rewriting sentences that may be AI-generated to make them read as more in the author’s voice)

How do you balance preserving an author’s voice with improving readability and flow?

Preserving the writer’s voice is one of the most important aspects of my editing process. The keys to doing that include:
• Keeping as much of the author’s wording as possible
• Maintaining clear lines of communication with the author especially in the early work
• Always remembering that the work is that of the author’s, not mine.

What does your editing process look like (editorial letter, tracked changes, inline comments, etc.)?

Each editing project requires a tailored approach. A developmental edit, for example, may require an editorial letter, perhaps some inline comments, or both. Other edits require tracking changes. Yet others require no notation. I find that the best approach is one that matches the author’s needs to the document’s needs.

How do you handle author feedback and revisions? Would you review revised sections?

It is important to me that the editing process remains highly collaborative. Therefore, detailed feedback and timely communication are of the utmost importance. Part of that feedback may be revisions which I review and edit as needed to ensure that they fit with the rest of the document and accomplish the objectives the author and I agreed upon.

Which formats are you comfortable working with?

• MS Word (with or without Track Changes)
• Google Docs
• Apple Pages

Which style sheets are you comfortable working with?

• APA 7
• MLA
• In-house style sheets

How do you price your services (per word, per hour, flat fee)?

I price my services fairly based upon the author’s needs and the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) fee standards. I can quote a per word, per hour, or a flat fee.

What’s included in your fee (e.g., developmental notes, copyediting, follow-up round)? What would be additional?

Generally, my fee is all-inclusive, which means my rate doesn’t change unless there is a significant amount of material added to the document by the author as we go. If you require more specific information, please contact me.

Do you offer a sample edit (about 1,000 words)?

I am happy to provide a sample edit for a nominal fee and/or short samples of previous edits at no charge.

What do you enjoy most about editing?

Working as an editor, I get many of the same joys I got as a professor. I enjoy working collaboratively with authors and exchanging ideas that will clarify and improve their manuscript. I get a great thrill knowing that when, at a project’s conclusion, the author’s manuscript is refined and ready for submission or publication. Finally, sharing what I learned over a 3-decade career about writing with new and seasoned authors — and seeing them better understand the writing process — is extremely gratifying.

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