We request all new manuscripts as either a hard copy or a clean digital copy in Microsoft Word format. We will either make our suggested edits directly on your hard copy, or, if you would prefer for us to make our suggested edits on the digital version (for an additional fee) we will use the "Track Changes" feature in Word so that you can easily identify each change we've made.  We can edit just about anything, fiction or non-fiction.  Good writing is good writing.  We love to edit, love to teach, love to help people make their project the best it can be. 

When you query us, we'll ask you how many pages are in your document/manuscript and what services you have in mind.   For more rates information, go to our rates page, but for a general idea, our extended proofreading/developmental editing rates start at $40 per hour, or $4 per page.  We do negotiate a flat fee if the manuscript is several hundred pages.  Most manuscripts run 250-400 pages.  That fee is usually $600 for a 200 page manuscript, more if it's more pages, but never less than $600 for a full book manuscript. 

This works out the same if you pay by the hour.  The fee is $600 for twenty hours.  If it takes more time, we let you know, and the balance is due before the edited manuscript is shipped.  The $600 is paid half up front, rendered along with the manuscript, and then half when we notify you the edits are done.  Once your payment clears, we will send out the edited manuscript, either in the postage paid envelope you have provided, or via email if we have made the suggested edits in Track Changes.

We are usually in touch frequently once we start editing, as we have questions and suggestions for you to think about.  We see the developmental part of editing as a 50/50 relationship between the author and editor.   Our job is to make your manuscript the best it can be within the framework of your vision for the story.  We have no intention of re-writing your story.  We only offer suggestions which you are free to accept or ignore.  But we love to brainstorm creative solutions whenever the need arises.  This does, however, involve an hourly consultation fee, which will be added to your final bill. 

If you send us a hard copy, you'll need to provide a postage-paid SASE for us to return the manuscript.  We actually prefer working on hard copy, but will work with what works for you.

Turnaround time is no later than 30 days from the date the manuscript is received.  Shorter manuscripts may take less time.  Manuscripts with a rush on them will involve a 50% surcharge.   

Editing is not a passive activity, like reading a book for pleasure...editing takes time and consideration--and double checking.  We don't just breeze through your manuscript once and consider it done.  It usually takes at least twenty hours to edit a full manuscript, and sometimes we read it twice, if only the first three chapters.  Because once you know how a story ends--there may be things you want to go back and change/add/cut in the beginning to make it stronger.  

The beginning is the most important part of any book.  Next comes the end.  The middle gives you a little wiggle room, but not much.

We also do proofreading, starting at $2 a page or $20 an hour.  This would be on a hard copy you have provided.  To correct the manuscript and send it back to you would cost an additional $1 to $1.50 per page.  To provide a clean master laser quality hard copy would cost .20 cents per page.

Another option is to send us the first 25 pages of your manuscript for $100, let us make our suggestions, and if you like what we suggest, we talk again. 

If you are not happy with what we do, then you're not out several hundred dollars.   There will also be some projects that will require too much work to bring them to publication-ready status.  Those projects we will respectfully decline.

To contact us, send an email to laura@editorlaurakelly.com.  We look forward to hearing from you!