FAQ

Yes! I’ve created multiple free guides that are available on my Resources page.

For comprehensive guidance, I also wrote an all-inclusive 180-page book. It’s available through online retailers and walks you through every step—from hiring an editor to holding your finished author copies. This resource draws on my 25 years of publishing experience to give you insider knowledge on making smart decisions throughout your self-publishing journey.

My rates reflect industry standards and my credentials—25 years of experience, a BA in Publishing, 13+ million words edited, and over 10,000 pages designed.

Editing pricing is based on your manuscript’s:

• Word count and complexity
• Type of service required (developmental, line, copy editing, etc.)
• Current condition and editorial needs
• Timeline requirements

I provide upfront, fixed-price quotes based on your full manuscript—no surprise invoices or hourly overages. You’ll know exactly what you’re investing before we begin.

Payment & Scheduling:

• Payment in full before work begins
• To reserve your spot in my schedule: $200 non-refundable deposit (credited to your balance)

This transparent pricing structure means you can budget confidently and focus on what matters—making your book the best it can be.

I specialize in projects where strong narrative structure and strategic market positioning matter most:

Nonfiction:

• Memoir and biography
• Creative nonfiction
• Prescriptive nonfiction and self-help
• Business books
• Inspirational and religious works (including biblical scholarship)

Fiction:

• Modern romance and women’s fiction
• Historical fiction (Civil War era onward)
• Middle grade fiction
• Biblical fiction
• “Clean” fiction without erotica or excessive gore

I understand both the craft of storytelling and the market expectations for each genre. I work best with authors who are serious about creating professionally competitive books.

Selective partnerships: I’m passionate about the projects I take on and prefer working with authors whose stories resonate with me. Many clients return for multiple books, and my practice is built largely on referrals—which tells you something about the quality of service.

Every editing project includes comprehensive support—this isn’t a transactional “hand off your manuscript and get it back” service.

All editing rates include: ✓ Minimum of 2 complete readings of your manuscript ✓ Initial consultation call to discuss your goals and vision ✓ Multiple editing rounds as needed ✓ Detailed editorial feedback and guidance ✓ Phone consultations between editor and author ✓ Unlimited email and text support during our partnership 

What makes this different: I’m not just fixing mechanical issues—I’m helping position your book for success with your target audience, whether you’re pursuing traditional publishing or self-publishing. This is manuscript transformation, not just editing.

Even exceptional writers need professional editing. Here’s why:

The familiarity problem: After writing and rewriting your manuscript, you become so close to the text that your brain fills in what should be there rather than seeing what actually is. You’ll miss errors, plot holes, pacing issues, and unclear passages that are obvious to fresh eyes.

Professional distance matters: A skilled editor brings objectivity, market knowledge, and technical expertise you can’t provide for yourself—no matter how talented you are as a writer.

Publishing expectations: Whether you’re pursuing traditional publishing (where agents and editors expect professionally edited manuscripts) or self-publishing (where readers have the same quality expectations as traditionally published books), professional editing isn’t optional—it’s essential.

With my Bachelor’s degree in Publishing and 25 years of experience, I bring both editorial precision and strategic publishing insight to ensure your manuscript meets professional standards and market expectations.

Bottom line: If your book matters enough to publish, it matters enough to edit professionally.

I edit according to industry-standard style guides. However, I don’t just apply style rules mechanically. I understand when and why to deviate from guidelines to serve your manuscript’s specific needs.

Primary: The Chicago Manual of Style (18th edition)—the authoritative reference for book publishing, often called the “Book Editor’s Bible”

Fiction: The Chicago Guide to Copyediting Fiction

Religious/Inspirational works: The Christian Writer’s Manual of Style (4th edition)

If your project requires a different style guide, I can accommodate that—just let me know during our initial consultation.

The timeline depends on your manuscript’s length, complexity, and current condition, but here are typical ranges:

Developmental editing: 6-8 weeks
Line editing: 3-4 weeks
Copy editing: 2-3 weeks
Proofreading: 1 week

What affects timeline:

• Manuscript length and genre
• Current condition
• How quickly you respond to editorial queries (24-48 hour responses = faster progress than 2-week delays)
• Whether multiple editing rounds are needed

I highly recommend starting with a manuscript critique. This gives you a detailed assessment and accurate timeline estimate based on your specific manuscript’s needs.

Once I review your full manuscript, I’ll provide an estimated timeline for your project.

Need it faster? I offer expedited services for authors with launch deadlines—contact me to discuss rush options.

Figuring out what your manuscript needs can feel overwhelming—that’s where my expertise comes in.

Here’s how we determine the right approach:

1. Initial consultation call where we discuss:

• Your manuscript’s current stage
• Your target audience and publishing goals
• Your timeline and budget
• Any specific concerns you have

2. I review your full manuscript and assess:

• Big-picture structural issues
• Writing quality and style
• Technical/mechanical needs
• Market positioning for your genre

3. I provide a customized recommendation explaining:

• What type(s) of editing your manuscript needs
• Why I’m recommending this approach
• What results you can expect
• Timeline and investment required

4. We sign a contract and begin working together as partners in making your book the best it can be.

I understand how editorial decisions affect your book’s marketability and success. You get strategic guidance, not just mechanical corrections, when you contract my services.

You don’t need to figure this out alone. That’s what I’m here for.

Schedule your consultation

For print interiors: I don’t use templates. Every design is custom-created for your specific book. This ensures your interior matches your cover design, fits your genre expectations, and provides the best reading experience for your content.

Why custom matters: Templates force your book into generic layouts that may not suit your content. Custom design means typography, spacing, headers, and design elements are tailored specifically to your manuscript.

View examples of custom print interiors in my portfolio

For ebooks: I use customized templates as a starting framework, then adapt them to your book’s needs. I’ll send format options once we begin working together.

Budget-friendly option: Browse my premade cover options for ready-to-use covers at lower price points.

Because you’re getting something fundamentally different.

What you get elsewhere for less:

• Front cover only OR
• Ebook cover that “might” meet print standards OR
• Template-based design used by multiple authors OR
• Design that doesn’t include spine calculations or back cover

If you later want to use that cheaper cover for print, you’ll pay to have it recreated at proper dimensions and resolution for printing—often costing as much as my full-wrap covers anyway.

What you get from me:

✓ Full-wrap design (front, spine, back) for print formats
✓ Properly calculated spine width for your page count
✓ Design on printer-specific templates (KDP, IngramSpark, etc.)
✓ Print-ready at correct resolution and dimensions
✓ Ebook cover included
✓ Years of professional design experience
✓ Award-winning quality
✓ Genre-appropriate design that positions your book competitively

Bottom line: Cheaper covers are cheaper for a reason. My covers are publication-ready, professionally designed investments that signal quality to readers and make your book competitive in the marketplace.

If your book matters enough to publish, it matters enough to present it professionally.

Yes, this is standard practice, and I’m expert at it.

Every book printer (KDP, IngramSpark, Barnes & Noble Press, etc.) has unique templates with specific requirements for:

• Cover dimensions based on page count
• Spine width calculations
• Bleed areas
• Safe zones for text and imagery
• File resolution and format requirements

My experience: I’ve worked with numerous book printers across the US and internationally. I know how to:

• Request the correct templates for your project
• Build covers that meet each printer’s exact specifications
• Troubleshoot upload issues if they arise
• Ensure your cover prints correctly the first time

This expertise is part of what you’re paying for. You want a cover that works perfectly with your chosen printing platform, with no trial-and-error or rejected files.

You won’t waste time or money on covers that don’t meet printer specifications.