Developmental Editing

Does your book "work"? By focusing on the big picture, developmental editing will provide you with in-depth feedback on your book as a whole. You'll receive a report on aspects such as character development, pacing, setting, dialogue, and more. The Book Foundry offers two levels of this service to fit any budget: manuscript critique or full developmental edit.

Manuscript Critique

A manuscript critique provides a wide report on what is and isn't working in your book. I can either work on the whole of your manuscript or focus on the areas you feel need the most attention. For example, think you have a third act problem? I will take a look at your work and help you to make sure your third act works with the rest of the book.

This editorial letter will include sections on character development, plot structure, and overall impressions. A critique is broader in scope than a full developmental edit but will provide more detailed feedback than just a beta read would.

You will receive:

• A PDF editorial letter of 5–15 pages that includes general recommendations and suggestions on the critique aspects listed above.

• Responses within the editorial letter to any questions provided to me prior to the start of the project.

Pricing: $.008 per word

Developmental Edit

A developmental edit gets into every corner of your book to provide you extensive feedback. It will cover your entire manuscript and focus on macro-level suggestions for what is and isn't working. This report will include sections such as themes, scene structure, plot, characters, POV, pacing, setting, and dialogue.

You will receive:

• A PDF editorial letter of 15–25+ pages that includes in-depth chapter summary suggestions and recommendations on the developmental aspects listed under this section.

• A Microsoft Word document of your manuscript with Track Changes comments highlighting the areas discussed in your editorial letter.

• Responses within the editorial letter to any questions provided to me prior to the start of the project.

Pricing: $.015 per word

Copyediting

Happy with your book and ready to share it with the world? Copyediting allows for a line-by-line edit of every errant ellipses or dangerously dangling modifier. This micro-level editing focuses not only on the technical errors of spelling, grammar, and punctuation but on aspects such as incorrect word usage, in-world consistency, tense issues, and sentence-level flow.

The Book Foundry offers two levels of this service to fit any budget: single-round copyediting or double-round copyediting—the latter with comments response and a Book Foundry style sheet.

Single-Round Copyedit

Just looking for a quick check through your work? This level is considered a "light" copyedit and covers the technical errors of spelling, grammar, punctuation, correct word usage, homophones, in-world style consistency, and treatment of numbers. Any suggestions for alternative words or adjustment of sentence flow will be recommended in the comments but not changed within the text. This is also the quickest copy edit—good for that upcoming deadline.

You will receive:

• A Microsoft Word document of your manuscript with in-line edits and comments through Track Changes.

Pricing: $.010 per word

Double-Round Copyedit

Looking for an in-depth review of your book and some dialogue about any changes? As a "heavier" copyedit, this level includes all aspects of the single-round but with suggested alternative words or sentence structure written within the text and explained within the comments. Consistency, clarity, and flow are the major factors of this level of editing.

After you have a chance to go through the first round of edits, mark any preferences to style and spelling questions, and respond to comments asking for further guidance, I will take another pass through the manuscript to clear up all accepted edits and further revise text that has been determined or rewritten. This is the preferred option when you want to create the best reading experience for your audience.

You will receive:

• A first-round Microsoft Word document of your manuscript with in-line edits and comments through Track Changes.

• A second-round Microsoft Word document of your manuscript with a Track Changes review after you have accepted the edits and responded to any comment queries. This second round of cleanup will follow with delivery of a fully edited and clean Microsoft Word document of your manuscript.

• A Book Foundry style sheet listing your specific preferences on style guide, rules, grammar, spelling, character names, locations, and customized words.

Pricing: $.013 per word

Proofreading

The final edit before publishing. Ready to share your work with the world? Proofreading will provide one last opportunity to polish up spelling, punctuation, typos, inconsistencies, and grammar errors before you release your book into the hands of readers. If you choose no other editing for your manuscript, a final proofreading can save you in budget and from negative reviews.

You will recieve:

• A Microsoft Word document of your manuscript with in-line edits through Track Changes. Some comments regarding global recommendations may be included.

  Pricing: $.008 per word