Proofreading and Editing

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Introduction: One of the hardest thing when writing is getting someone to read your work and give you an honest opinion on it. I've been a University Professor for 16 years and I genuinely want to see everyone succeed who has the passion and the drive to write. I specialize in pacing and storytelling, and I'm willing to give the extra time to help guide you in the right direction, whether it's pros or for your own interests. I enjoy helping people put something into publication, whether it's traditional or self-publishing. In doing that, I enjoy the process of taking something from it's conception to fulfillment and making the writer see that they can do better than they think they can. Writing is challenging, I won't lie about that. Having to rewrite your masterpiece is the number one reason 95% of people who want to be writers end up leaving the craft behind.

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9 years in business

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William Cobble

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What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
I currently have the ability to apply myself to the work full time and charge by the starting word count. Editing Editing in not easy work, but I also understand people come to Thumbtack for a bargain, so I charge $.01 per word with a 25% discount. 100,000 words will cost a flat $750. For that you get 2 full editing passes for cohesiveness, comprehension, and grammar. You'll also get a full tip summary for each chapter regarding the story. Editing Price Formula: (Word Count x .75) x .01 = Price Proofreading For proofreading, I charge $.0035 per word. 100,000 words will be a flat cost of $350.00. For that you get grammar and spell check only. Remember, It pays to have a human do spelling and grammar. Word is NOT a reliable grammar check by a long shot, and word would not correct the difference between whether and weather as long as you spelled it correctly. Proofreading Formula: Word Count x .0035 = Price These prices are non-negotiable, unless of course you're negotiating a higher price than what I have quoted :-)
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
The writing process is generally as follows... 1. Outline the story. (This is where developmental editing is applied, the pacing is defined, and the plot points are plotted.) 2. Write the rough draft.(This is solely the author's job. A great writer with 40 years of experience might do 6 pages a day, every day. Anyone who wants to be a writer should do at least 1 page a day, every day, even if it's unusable.) 3. Rewrite the rough draft. (This is solely the author's job as well, and MUST BE DONE. Never let anyone read the rough draft. No editors, no agents, and no friends or family. If you DO let any of these people read a first run of your work, they will never read any of your work again, guaranteed. This process MUST BE COMPLETE before any editor begins working.) 4. Rewrite the rewrites. (This is where you apply the editor's suggestions if you're going to. Repeat this step until there is nothing more you can do for the story. Remember, if you think there is something wrong with it, there IS something wrong with it, and it should be reworked. This is the process that kills most writing dreams because writers can't stay focused and give up.) 5. Proofread. (This should only be done when the story is at its absolute best.) 6. Apply the proofreading corrections for the final product. Editing can only begin after step 3. I'm afraid there are no exceptions to this. You MUST rework your rough draft first in order to supply an editor with a cohesive piece to work with. Trust me, once you read your rough draft, you will be embarrassed by it and will be thankful you listened to this step. All experienced writers will concur. Proofreading can only begin after step 4. All of these steps are expensive and costs can be waisted if your piece is not worked out to the absolute best it can be before beginning the next step with a professional. Please make sure you've done the best possible work you can do before the proofreading process.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have been a University Professor for 16 years in Central Florida. I've edited and proofread more works than I can count. I've also written five complete novels.