"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 are 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 and grammar.
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
Please feel free to send a sample of your work for a quotation.
*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
Manuscript Evaluation
from £22.50 $45-55 p.h. R300-500 p.h. - -
per hour
*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.
Please feel free to send a sample of your work for a quotation.