"Words are, of course, the most powerful drug
used by mankind."
Rudyard Kipling
As a confirmed bookaholic, I am delighted that there is no cure. So many books, so little time.
My experience includes PR, journalism (trade journals, company journals and ghosting articles for in-house magazines), editing and proofreading for indie authors and traditional publishers, in a variety of genres which include fiction, travel, wildlife, health, biographies, other non-fiction, and theses. A selection of the many books is shown on the portfolio page.
Also, I have studied psychology, philosophy and communications (not IT!) and travelled widely.
My rates are reasonable - I have no desire to fleece anyone - and I offer a comprehensive and conscientious service.
Proofreading: the final check before publication for typos, spelling, punctuation. grammar, consistency.
Light editing: mostly for small projects - leaflets, brochures, simple manuals, straightforward shorter works. Often an hourly rate is appropriate.
Copy editing: to identify and correct typos, spelling, grammar, syntax, language, punctuation, after line or developmental editing is complete.
Line editing: more intensive editing for the flow of elements, ideas, tone, narrative, structure, vocabulary, characterisation, clarity and accuracy; may involve suggestions for re-organising lines, paragraphs and chapters.
Developmental editing: involves substantial input regarding concept, plot, structure, timeline, characterisation, pitch, presentation. Usually part of the initial rewriting process.
Editing Hours
Copy editing 70,000 words can take 30-90 hours
Line editing 70,000 words can take 35-300+ hours
Substantive editing 70,000 words can take 60-350+ hours
My Rates
Editing £6-£17 per 1,000 words, or part thereof, depending on the type of editing required and complexity of the manuscript
Proofreading from £5.00 per 1,000 words or part thereof
*Some comparative rates:
UK USA South Africa NZ Ireland
Copy editing
from £26.20 $30-40 per R350-550 p.h. from $20 per €25-35 per
per hour hour R200-400 per 1,000 words hour from £16 per 1,000 words
1,000 words
Line editing
from £20.00 $40-50 per R350-550 p.h. $700-1750 up €40 per per 1,000 hour R200-600 per to 50,000 words hour
words 1,000 words $1600-3000 up
to 100,000 words
Developmental editing £30 per $45-60 per R400-600 ph $2500+ over €40+ per hour
1,000 words hour R600-800 per 100,000 words
1,000 words
Fact checking
- $35-60 per R300-400 p.h. - -
hour R300-900 per
1,000 words
Proofreading
from £10 per $30-35 p.h. - - -
1,000 words
*Rates are from The Editorial Freelancers Association USA, SAFREA South Africa, New Zealand online freelance rates, Society for Freelance Editors UK and Irish online freelance rates.