Content Development

Book Doctoring

So you’ve written a book—kind of. You have something, ahem, that you poured over as much as you could and it is just not feeling as sharp as you hoped it would. You know the diamond is hidden in the rough there somewhere, but you just aren’t able to mine it. Book doctoring may be just what you need.

I will take your “manuscript,” evaluate it, develop a new outline and direction for it, and pulling from my fifteen years of industry knowledge, will give it the right edge it needs to stand out among other books in its category. Then, upon your approval and as you supply the content based on my direction, I will take to the task of doing all the reorganizing based on the plans we’ve set together to reshape, refocus, lengthen, or reduce your completed manuscript.

From $6,500

Substantive/Content Editing

The next step after the manuscript has been written, the content or substantive edit focuses on the big picture, the overall purpose and promise of the book by clarifying ambiguities, correcting conceptual problems, and maintaining the tone of the manuscript. A content edit:

• Identifies problems with overall clarity or accuracy

• Evaluates the order in which the text is presented and recommends ways to reorganize

• Identifies gaps in content

• Analyzes sentences for structure/syntax

• Suggests or provides clearer explanations, anecdotes, analogies, or illustrations

• Proposes additions or deletions of headings

• Seeks to achieve clarity of subject, logic, and consistency

Completed in six to twelve weeks.

From $3,500

 Copyediting

Following a substantive edit, copyediting can cover a broad range of corrections and suggestions. A basic copyedit includes:

• Making sure material is logical and understandable

• Correcting continuity problems

• Making sure sources are cited for all statistics and quotations.

• Flagging inaccuracies and inconsistencies

A moderate copyedit would include a review of the manuscript for such things as:

• Redundancies

• Sentence clarity

• Word choice

• Maintenance of tone/voice

An in-depth copyedit could also include:

• A review for consistency of style and mood or presentation of content

• Analysis of the point of view chosen for each scene (fiction)

• Cross-checking references, figures, tables, equations, etc. (nonfiction)

• Pointing out items that may require permission from the copyright holder

Completed in two to four weeks.

From $1,750

 Manuscript Critique

A manuscript critique is a broad overall assessment/review of a manuscript, pinpointing its strengths and weaknesses. Specific problem areas are flagged and general suggestions for improvement made. A professional opinion of the manuscript’s potential for acceptance by an agent and/or royalty-paying publisher, based solely on the focus of the material, may be given if offered/requested.

Up to 5,000 words - $225

5,000 to 10,000 words- $300

10,000 to 15,000 words - $425

15,000 to 25,000 words - $500

25,000 to 40,000 words - $650

40,000 to 55,000 words - $775

55,000 to 70,000 words - $950

70,000 to 100,000 words - $1,150

100,000 words and up – TBD/Ask

Completed in four to six weeks.

PICTURE BOOKS

Up to 600 words - $500

601-1,000 words - $600

600-1,000 words w/ illustrations - $600-$750

EASY/EARLY READERS

2,000-3,000 words - $900

3,001-4,000 words - $1,150

4,001-5,000 words - $1,350

CHAPTER BOOKS

Up to 2500 words - $900

2,501-3,500 words - $1,150

3,501-4,500 words - $1,275

4,501-5,000 words - $1,350

5,001-7,500 words - $1,500

7,501-10,000 words - $1,750