Editing Services

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. I can point out the value of hiring a native speaker of English and one who, preferably, has a degree in English. Years of experience are equally important. Speaking with the provider on the telephone is useful. Is the editor interested and friendly? Are your questions answered to your satisfaction? If you are not a native speaker, does the editor take the time to appreciate your needs? Is the editor honest enough to say that he or she can't provide you with what you require for the price you can pay?

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. There are good, very good, and superlative editors for hire. Sadly, there are many others who pose as qualified providers. Their vocabulary is limited, their spelling is poor, they ignore less obvious mistakes and, too often, mistakes that should have been easy to catch.

When you find an editor who seems to fit your needs, be sure to ask if he or she personally does the work. There are 'editing mills' on- and offline where your project is farmed out and quality is inconsistent at best. Don't be swayed by the 'all of our editors are Harvard grads' come-ons. Choose a solopreneur (someone who works independently) and establish a close relationship with that person.

Even the best of editors will make a mistake. As my father told me, 'All the perfect people are in the cemetery'. Keep and recommend that editor who will acknowledge an error when pointed out. You'll find she or he is someone you can work with and trust.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. I believe in the power of good editing.

I know the difference between 'corroborate' and 'collaborate'. I know that 'gymkhana' is not spelled 'June Carter' (as one BBC caption writer heard it). I know that the road to perdition is using a word that 'sounds' right or assuming that a thesaurus offers precisely equivalent synonyms. Having an editor with a very strong educational background can determine whether your project is welcomed rather than shown the door. Or the circular file.

I notice both the big picture and the small failings. Have you, perhaps, left your most important points hidden within extraneous thoughts? Did you write your article back-to-front, losing your reader from the very beginning? Is there a magic hook in your novel's first paragraph--and your title? Did you use passive voice when active voice was needed?

Finally, here is my secret for ensuring that your work stands out: Without fail, rewrites always require rereads. Even the smallest changes cause inevitable ripple-down effects and can harm the finest writing. That's one of the key reasons successful writers know the value of a good editor.

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. I just finished a digital transcript involving six persons who talked and laughed (and ate and drank) simultaneously, all while being interviewed. A rigorous workout (105 pages in length) for me but one that culminated in a delighted client. I enjoy the thrill of taking on difficult assignments and surprising my clients with a great end product.

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. I have a minimum $25 an hour fee. A flat fee can be negotiated for manuscripts of 75 pages or longer. Simple digital transcriptions (those with no more than two speakers) are $75 per 90 minutes. More complex work involving several people speaking, poor sound quality, or audio tapes as opposed to digital, can be as high as $125 per 90 minutes.