Semper Editing

1. What do you do?
I'm a professional editor. That means I go over something you've written and show
you how to make it better-everything from correcting your typos to teaching you how
to make your chapters flow or write a smoother, more forceful conclusion. My job is
to help you write something other people can and will read. I'm also a coach; I can
help you with brainstorming, researching, any part of the writing process.

2. How much does it cost me?
I charge $1.50 per page for copyediting and $3 per page for content editing. Since
my notes and corrections often make your paper longer, I calculate my fee based on
the length of your writing (usually double space, 12 point Times New Roman,
standard margins) when you e-mail it to me-assuming you e-mail me a complete
draft. For coaching or other services that don't translate well to page counts, I charge
$15 per half-hour. If you decide to hire me, we will agree in advance on the method
of charge.

Notice to new and returning clients: Due to the large number of clients e-mailing
me assignments the night before they're due, I have had to add a rush fee of 50%.
Projects submitted less than 48 hours before they are due back may be charged at
$4.50 per page for content editing and $22.50 per half-hour, depending on demand.

3. What's the difference between copyediting and content editing, and why do
you charge different rates for them?
I've seen a lot of different ways to define editing services, but I do it this way:
Copyediting is basically proofreading-I catch typos, misspellings, grammatical errors,
anything that makes your writing something other than standard English. Content
editing is copyediting PLUS an analysis of what you're writing about and how you
address it-logical errors, research problems, rough patches in your style, that sort of
thing. I charge more for content editing because it's more work for me (not that I
mind). Also, there are very few writers who struggle with structural and content
problems but don't struggle with typos, so it's easier for everyone if I offer the two
services together. As for how I arrived at $15 per half-hour . . . freelance editing rates
generally start at around $25 per hour, but I found I had a lot of half-hour meetings,
so charging by the half-hour seemed fairer.

4. What if I only think I need content editing?
If you think you need content editing and it turns out you only need copyediting (as
sometimes happens), I copyedit your writing and send you back the paper at the
lower copyediting price. You get what you pay for, and you only pay for what you get.

5. What does a "free consultation" get me?
You e-mail me your paper or your problem. I look it over and tell you what I think
can be done to improve it and how much it'll cost you to have me do the work. We
e-mail back and forth or discuss it over the phone for half an hour or so. If you like
what you hear, we make a deal. You don't pay me unless and until we're finished or
we reach an agreed-upon milestone.

6. How does the editing process work?
After the consultation (see previous question), if we make a deal, I go over your
writing and make copy and content edits, noting them on your document. I can
make corrections either in Word's version tracking /notation mode or, if you're not
that technical, by typing directly into your document in a different color (red for
copyedits, green for content edits). Then I e-mail your work back to you. After that, I
e-mail you a PayPal invoice for my services. You pay PayPal, and they pay me. No
muss, no fuss.

7. Is this a very technical process?
Not really. If you can master Microsoft Word and e-mail, you can handle this. If
necessary, you can print the document I send you and compare it to your original; all
changes will be clearly marked. NOTE TO MAC USERS: MS Word comments don't
show up in Mac Word, but copyedits do, so I now send my comments in the e-mail.
Please tell me that you use a Mac! Also, if you're red/green colorblind, tell me so we
can work out an alternate system.

8. How long will it take you to return my writing?
I will give you an estimated return time with my estimated fee. On average, I can edit
a page in about 5 to 8 minutes, depending on how much work it needs. Some papers
need multiple passes, so that will be a factor in any time estimate I give you (but not
the page rate). Other clients may also be in line ahead of you. It always helps if you
tell me when you send your writing when it's due and how much time you'll need to
implement my corrections. I will not take the job if I don't think I can make the
deadline.

9. Will my writing come back ready to be turned in or published?
NO. I show you how to make your writing better, but because nobody ever agrees
with everything an editor says, I leave it up to you to decide which changes to
implement. If you try to submit a document as I send it back to you, your reader will
have a lot of questions about the margin notes and funny-colored comments. Editors
send you edited copy. Final copy comes from you.

10. I agree with all your changes. How do I turn off the funny-colored marks?
Turn off the tracking. Go up to the window that says "Final Showing Markup", pull
down the menu, and change it to "Final."

11. How do I know you won't steal my personal or financial information?
I'm a nice person and my mother vouches for me. Also, all financial voodoo is
generally handled via PayPal, so I never have to find out anything about you other
than your e-mail address, your name, and whether or not you've paid me yet. What
you do with your Social Security number in the dead of night is your business.

12. I don't know how to / don't want to use PayPal. What can I do?
If you've never used PayPal before, you'll get an e-mail with your invoice explaining
how to use their system. PayPal accepts credit cards, eChecks, and bank transfers. If
you're not comfortable using PayPal or paying electronically, let me know and we can
work out an alternate system of payment.

13. I can't afford this. What can I do?
Send me an e-mail. I may be able to work out a system of editing that gets you what
you need without racking up too many hours or pages. I got into this business to
help people, not bleed them dry.

14. Can I hire you to write my paper for me?
No. You couldn't afford it.

15. Can I hire you to write something else?
Maybe. Ask me directly. I do hire out as a writer fairly often, writing everything from
funny artist bios to publicity and ephemera for a recent film. But I don't write for hire
in academia. It's just not a good thing.

16. My question's not here. How do I get it answered?
You ask me. Click on the "Contact" link at the top left or click here.