Packages and Rates
Developmental Editing Package for Novels and Chapter Books:
A developmental edit (DE) is the first phase of the revision process and involves analyzing a story for big-picture issues. The purpose of a DE is to identify areas of a manuscript that need improvement so that authors can elevate their stories and optimize the reading experience.
My DE package provides the following support:
A detailed editorial letter that addresses big-picture issues (plot, character, dialogue, etc.) and provides actionable advice for revision
Encouragement about your novel’s strengths and gentle advice on how to improve its weaker parts
Comments in the margins of the manuscript
A one-hour video consultation
One follow-up round in which I provide feedback on revisions made by the author and pinpoint any lingering issues.
Additional Information:
The rate is five cents per word. For example, the cost of a DE for a 50,000-word novel is $2500.
This DE package takes 4–8 weeks (depending on the word count), not including the follow-up round
The follow-up round is included in the package if the client schedules it within one year of the original project's start date.
The DE package does not include copyediting or proofreading. I only edit at the story level.
Picture Book Package:
I tailor my picture book services to fit each author’s goals and publishing intentions.
My picture book package provides the following support:
A detailed editorial letter that addresses big-picture issues (story structure, age-appropriate concepts and content, etc.) and provides actionable advice for revision
Three rounds of editing:
Round 1 is a developmental edit in which I'll analyze the overall structure of the picture book and compose an editorial letter (see above description)
Round 2 is a line edit in which I'll provide comments in the margins and focus my in-text edits on refining word choice, analyzing pacing, meter, and rhyme (where applicable), adding texture and variety to sentence structure, clarifying ideas, and maintaining consistent tone.
Round 3 is a copyedit in which I'll provide in-text edits to grammar and punctuation, using The Chicago Manual of Style.
A 30-minute video consultation
Additional Information:
The picture book package has a flat rate of $250.
I complete the first round in two weeks. Each subsequent round takes 3–5 business days.
The author may take their time to revise between editing rounds, but all three rounds must be completed within one year of the project’s start date to be included in the package rate.
This package does not include proofreading.
Submission Packages:
Novel Submission Package:
This service is for authors who seek traditional publication and want to acquire a literary agent to represent their work. Most literary agents request that authors submit a query letter (250–450 words), the first ten pages of their manuscript (~2500 words), and a 1- or 2-page synopsis. This is collectively referred to as a submission package. The novel submission package is $300 and includes up to three rounds of edits on each of those documents, plus a 30-minute video consultation.
Picture Book Submission Package:
This is similar to the novel submission package, except with a shorter query letter (250 words) and the full picture book manuscript. (Most agents prefer a picture book that is less than 500 words.) The Picture Book Submission Package is $200 and includes up to three rounds of edits on each of those documents, plus a 30-minute video consultation.
Additional Information:
For novels: Many agents only initially request a query letter and opening pages, but if they are hooked by those, they will ask for a synopsis and the full manuscript; so, it’s important to have the synopsis ready, even if the agency’s website doesn’t mention it.
For picture books: Before starting the querying process, make sure your picture book has undergone multiple rounds of editing and has been reviewed by critique partners and/or freelance editors who are knowledgeable about the picture book industry. My submission package does not include a developmental edit of the picture book, but I do have a separate picture book package that provides those services.
For picture books: If an agent is interested in your picture book, they will request to see more—so, it’s important to have 3–5 polished picture books ready to go.
A-la-Carte Items:
Coaching Services:
Are you struggling with a certain aspect of your novel? I love to dive deep into conversations with clients about plot, story structure, character development, outlining, and revision techniques. Or maybe you are considering developmental editing services but want to see if we collaborate well together first. Setting up a coaching session is a great way to test the waters!
$30 for 30 minutes
$60 for 60 minutes
Picture Book Dummy:
This $100 add-on is for self-publishing authors who’ve edited their picture books and now need to decide where the page breaks should go and when to use single- or double-spreads. We’ll plug your picture book into a dummy template and have a 30-minute video chat about layout. Please note: This is not an official book design or formatting service. This is a collaborative experience in which we’ll discuss how the text should be distributed over the 32 pages of a traditional picture book.
Additional Editing Rounds:
Add additional editing rounds to any existing project for three cents per word.
Mentorship for Freelance Developmental Editors:
As someone who’s benefited from mentorships in many areas of my life, I can attest that there is nothing like working one-on-one with someone in your field. My mentorships provide a low-risk opportunity to help freelancers who are new to developmental editing and/or KidLit. In this 3-month mentorship, I’ll walk a freelancer through the stages of developmental editing a chapter book, middle grade novel, or young adult novel up to 100,000 words.
Here is what we’ll explore together during our 3-month mentorship:
How to align your feedback with your client’s vision for the story
Finding tools that help you organize your feedback and maximize your time
How to write an editorial letter
Understanding genre and age categories
Feedback on your editorial letter
Processing feedback from your clients
A 60-minute introductory video chat
One 30-minute video chat each month for the three months of the mentorship
Start-to-finish guidance as the mentee completes the full developmental edit
Additional Information:
The mentee will need to provide the manuscript (with the author’s permission). If you don’t personally know any authors, I recommend posting in KidLit social media groups like KidLit411 or with SCBWI critique groups. Request the type of manuscript you are most interested in working with as a developmental editor. Whether to charge the author for the DE is ultimately up to the mentee, but I would personally not recommend it. Learning how to do a developmental edit can present a steep learning curve and may require more time than expected, so it’s best to not have the added pressure of producing something for a paying client under a deadline.
This mentorship doesn’t cover the business-side of freelancing (setting rates, finding clients, etc.).
Is $3000 a huge investment? Yes. But consider how quickly you can recuperate that amount once you have gained your DE skills. Developmental editors charge anywhere from three to seven cents per word. You could earn that $3000 back in your first or second editing projects!
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