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Home / Services / Rates

Rates

Rates for Editorial Services

Professional editing is not inexpensive. But it is a labor-intensive and meticulous process if done the right way. Incorporating a skilled edit as part of your writing process is often a huge factor in getting your book in front of an interested publisher or ready for self-publishing.

I roughly base my fees for editing services on several industry rate guides, such as the Editorial Freelance Association’s (EFA) Rate Chart. However, each client’s needs vary so the chart is only a guideline but it will give you an idea of costs for professional editing.

My editing rates are based on a per-word fee model.* While some editors charge per page or hourly, I find calculating the word count of the manuscript takes the guessing out of the equation. But like a per-page model, my fees are based on the industry standard formatted manuscript:

Formatted as: approx. 250-word page, double-spaced, 12-point serif font (such as Times New Roman), and 1” margins in Microsoft Word.

(NOTE: I require that your MS is in this format for editing purposes.)

Per-word fees start at .02 cents/word (two cents per word). The fee is based on a number of factors, including the status of your manuscript, editing services required, and complexity/scope of the edit.

Proofreading – begins at .02 cents/word (based on a clean manuscript).
Copyediting – begins at .03 cents/word (low, medium, and high-level copyediting rates vary)
Developmental/Structural editing – begins at .04 cents/word

*All fees are subject to change, but not without notifying current/returning clients.

I offer a secondary review which is built into my per/word rate. This occurs after you’ve incorporated initial revisions/suggestions and is not a second round of editing. Beyond the established scope of work, which is spelled out in detail in my contract, additional edits, reviews, and other editorial services are charged hourly. But this is not typically time-intensive, as we’ve already done the hard work!

The majority of clients’ fees are a combination of several levels of editing; most frequently developmental and copyediting services are warranted, followed by a secondary review.

(All my edits start with a 5 to 6-page sample edit of your MS which I offer for free. It enables me to give you a quote.)

Hourly Rates for Other Services

I also offer an a la carte “menu” of services. Please allow me to work up an individualized quote for you.

Manuscript Evaluation

A manuscript eval. is often a good step to determine if you’re ready for a full-on edit. Determining this factor will potentially save you money and time. $50-$65/hour. It’s sort of “editing light.”

Writer Coaching

Coaching explores your approach to writing and helps you through the barriers. Are you stuck? Having trouble with character development? Or even suffering from “Imposter Syndrome” (convinced you’ve lost your mojo)? Writer coaching might be the answer. $60-$75/hour

For more detailed explanation of the different levels of editing services, please see my services page.

To request a quote or get started on your project, contact me today.

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Praise

My work relationship with Nancy has been stellar. In 2020, when interviewing her to be my editor, I stressed that I needed someone who was not afraid to be brutally honest with me. I needed a demanding professorial type and that she’s been. But when she comes back to me, she brings great recommendations on how to improve … and she delivers them with a brilliant sense of humor! I am currently writing a piece that requires deep knowledge of the Civil Rights Era. As the editor, she has gone beyond what I’d consider the normal range of her editorial duties – she has researched facts, voice, capitalizations, etc. to make sure my writing is true–yet sensitive–to its time. I wholeheartedly recommend Nancy!

Lisa Weldon, author of Twenty Pieces: A walk through love, loss and midlife reinvention

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Portfolio

The Roadie Cartel by Phillip J Kriz

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Yesterday, I added up all the books I've edited. 77. And those are the published manuscripts. I may have missed a few... ... See MoreSee Less

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About Nancy

I’m a professional book editor specializing in developmental editing – helping you craft your story. But I also work in all editing levels, in addition to author coaching.

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