I offer a number of services related to the construction and completion of your manuscript. These services can be bundled (as well as bundled with promotional services!) and can be tailored to fit your needs and budget.
Process
For all reading services except beta and sensitivity reading, please fill out this interest form. (If you’d like to bundle reading and promotional services, you only need to fill out the reading services form.)
For first-time clients, I will provide a FREE sample edit of up to 1000 words, including cost and time estimates. This will help us determine if we’re a good fit! (Returning clients will send me a sample of the work so I can provide appropriate estimates.)
If you decide to hire me, you will sign a contract that includes the scope and variety of work, schedules, and expected deliverables. Secure your spot with a 25% deposit, unless otherwise negotiated. I’ll get to work, sending you the discussed elements according to our predetermined schedules. The remaining balance is due upon receipt, or we can discuss paying in installments.
For beta and sensitivity reading, email or DM me. Tell me about your book and what specific concerns or topics you want me to focus on. Depending on the work you want, we’ll discuss the timeline and if we’re a good fit. If we move forward, you will send me a Word document or Google doc. (I also accept PDFs or ePubs, but I prefer Word/Google for commenting ease.) I will return the manuscript back with comments in the document and a brief summary of my thoughts.
Available Services
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Manuscripts are fully developed and mostly complete (excluding minor scenes, epilogue, etc.). I will read the manuscript once for things like inconsistencies, confusing elements, repetition, characterization, and pacing. Basically, I look out for things that reviewers typically comment on at the story-level. I include my reactions as a reader, as well as content-specific critiques.
Product: comments in the document with a brief summary of thoughts
Cost: free/pay what you want
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Sensitivity reading can happen at any stage of the writing process, including pre-writing. I can be a consultant as you plan tackling a topic that requires sensitivity. I will also read specific scenes or the whole manuscript to offer feedback on a specific topic or topics as they appear in the story (eg, language use, plot development, accuracy).
Product: ranges from conversations to comments in the document with a brief summary of thoughts
Cost: free/pay what you want
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This is the Big Picture stuff. Manuscripts can be in any stage of writing. While many of the targeted components of developmental editing are similar to beta reading, it is often more in-depth and requires at least 2 close readings. I look at overall structure and flow, narrative arc and pacing, characterization and character development, and world-building/setting.
Product: comments in document; editorial letter outlining strengths and weaknesses in manuscript; suggestions for moving forward with my critique.
Cost: varies; estimated rate of $0.006/word
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Manuscripts are developed and most or all structural changes have been made. This level of editing targets readability and clarity at the sentence level, as well as some larger structural concerns. I look at syntax and grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style to ensure your manuscript is clean and reads smoothly. I will also note any inconsistencies or plot issues. I follow the Modern Language Association or Oxford University Press style guidelines unless otherwise directed.
Product: tracked changes in document and comments in document
Cost: vaies; estimated rate of $0.004/word
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Manuscripts are complete. This level of editing targets readability and clarity at the sentence level but is not as in-depth as copyediting. The primary focus is on correcting spelling, punctuation, minor grammar and syntax concerns, and typos. I follow the Modern Language Association or Oxford University Press style guidelines unless otherwise directed.
Product: tracked changes in document and comments in document
Cost: varies; estimated rate of $0.003/word
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I will revise and polish a pre-existing or drafted blurb, and I can also draft a blurb from scratch. You can request I include keywords or phrases, tropes, series information, etc.
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I will make a comprehensive list of tropes and/or content warnings to include in your promotional materials, front matter, and websites.
Content Considerations
I read novels, novellas, and short fiction in queer romance. While I prefer HEA/HFN in my personal reading, I will beta/sensitivity read, edit, or proofread any work with queer romantic or erotic elements, regardless of an HEA/HFN. This includes:
all gender pairings/groupings across the LGBTQIAA2S+ spectrum
all subgenres & darkness levels
all spice levels from none to erotica
While I read and edit well beyond these, my specialities and preferences are for:
MM, trans*, and polyamorous romances
adult & new adult contemporary, fantasy, paranormal, shifter, and omegaverse
BDSM and kink
low to medium angst
I will not work on projects that include:
harmful and unchallenged racism, homophobia, transphobia, misogyny, ableism, and other structures of identity-based oppression.
harmful and unchallenged fatphobia and representations of disordered eating and exercise practices.
valorized depictions of law enforcement and military systems, particularly within the United States.
Note: This does not mean I categorically will not read manuscripts that may include these things. Sensitivity reading, in particular, is all about identifying and rectifying them. This does mean I will not work with an author who is adamantly and consistently uninterested in changing these elements in their manuscript(s) and/or public posts.
For more information about these stipulations, please refer to my philosophy and policies.
Costs
While I don’t officially operate with a sliding scale, I do maintain flexibility and start with base rates, as well as offer many opportunities to receive different kinds and levels of work. In consideration of budgets, there are a few ways you can receive developmental editing, copyediting, and/or proofreading services from me. You can divide your manuscript and submit sections at a time. For developmental editing, in particular, I can cut down the scope of the project, instead focusing on just one or two big-picture concerns. Additionally, deals are available for bundling reading services, and payment plans are possible. All prices will be negotiated and confirmed prior to signing a contract.
Referral Discounts
Clients who recommend my developmental editing, copyediting, or proofreading services can receive a 15%-off discount on a single future project when their referral becomes a booked client. This discount can apply to each new referral-turned-client.
Rush Projects
I will consider rushed turnarounds for copyediting, proofreading, blurb writing, and trope/content warning list projects. If you need a manuscript completed within 3 days, it must have fewer than 100,000 words. While I may not always be able to accept rush projects, the general guideline for costs is:
2 days add 100% of the total cost
3-4 days add 75% of the total cost
5-7 days add 25% of the total cost
8-10 days add 15% of the total cost
Proofreading & Editing
All prices will be negotiated and confirmed prior to signing a contract. Rates are calculated in consultation with the Editorial Freelancer’s Association guide. These are base rates and can be higher or lower depending on a variety of factors, including complexity and scope of work. Prices are set according to the following rate of cost per word:
Proofreading Copyediting Developmental Editing $0.003 $0.004 $0.006
Base Rates
Word Count Proofreading Copyediting Developmental Editing
1-10,000 $30 $40 $30-60
10,001-20,000 $55 $75 $80-120
20,001-50,000 $140 $175 $250-300
50,001-90,999 $250 $325 $550-600
more than 100,000 $400 $550 $750-800
Blurb Writing
Revise or publish a pre-existing draft $20 (includes 2 revisions)
Write a new blurb from scratch $35 (includes 1 draft and 2 revisions)
Additional revisions $10
Content Lists
If I am reading your manuscript or book only to develop trope and/or content warning lists, the cost is $15.
If you want this service in addition to any other service(s), a flat rate of $5 (fewer than 10 total list items) or $10 (11 or more total list items) will be added to your total.
Beta and Sensitivity Reading
I sensitivity read for a variety of experiences and identities from a personal perspective. My professional experience as a humanities graduate student and college professor also lends a level of expertise to several broad areas.
Areas of Experience
fatness
chronic illness/disability, including autoimmune disease & cancer; as disabled person and as caretaker (please contact for more specific information if desired)
neurodivergence (esp. ADHD, autism)
queer, trans, & nonbinary identities (esp. AFAB nonbinary, genderqueer, bisexuality, omnisexuality, asexuality)
military brat (specifically Air Force)
Professional Areas of Interest and Research
gender and sexuality studies
queer theory
disability studies
American history
Why I Say “Pay What You Want”
I’m happy to beta and sensitivity read for free, especially because most authors I read for are indie and part of under-represented communities. I love offering whatever support I can so they can reach their dreams of being a published author! If an author is more established and is wanting and able to offer monetary compensation for the physical and emotional labor of sensitivity reading, of course that is welcome but not required. I also recommend offering a donation to an organization related to the needs of your sensitivity read in lieu of payment.
