Manuscript Submission

Your manuscript is an important document and editing your work correctly is of vital importance - it can mean the difference between a contract with a publisher, and no contract. Author and editor collaborate to tune the book to its highest potential. With this accomplished it can be presented to a publisher with confidence.

Although your work is of a high standard, as the author, you cannot pick up all the errors due to the emotional closeness to the work. This is where the editor comes in - with a subjective view they scrutinize the manuscript, amending errors, and where necessary, suggesting alterations to improve the flow of the story.

The usual process of editing is that the manuscript goes back and forth between author and editor until both are happy with the result. The editor can also assist with suggestions for cover design if requested.

All manuscripts submitted for assessment or editing must be A4, single sided and double spaced text in MS Word. They can be submitted by email, on disk or printed hard copy. In the case of editing, printed manuscripts must be submitted on disk or zip drive as well as editing is mostly completed on MS Word using Track Changes, allowing the author to see exactly what changes have been made and also giving them opportunity to add or delete for themselves.


MANUSCRIPT APPRAISAL

To have your manuscript appraised, please send a short synopsis and the first three chapters. An appraisal will give an idea of what may be required to bring your book to publishing standard. This service is free of charge. 


MANUSCRIPT ASSESSMENTS

A full manuscript assessment report is equally important as it reveals any points that need attention before an edit takes place. This allows both author and editor knowledge of what type of edit will be required to bring your manuscript to publishing standard. The report will show the flow of the story or information, if the characters are fully extended, address the suitability of the topic for the intended audience and many other salient points that may arise.

ASSESSMENT RATES
Number of Words                        Rate

Minimum for 50,000                     $125.00

Up to 50,000                               $275.00
50 - 80,000                                  $300.00
80 - 100,000                                $365.00

Over 100,000                              $400.00 plus $1.25/1000 words
                                                  over 100,000

Appraisals and Assessments may be emailed, copied to disk and snail mailed, or sent as a hard copy manuscript.

If you wish to have your hard copy manuscript returned on completion of an Appraisal or Assessment, please enclose a stamped, self addressed envelope.


MANUSCRIPT EDITING

Manuscripts may be submitted by email, on disk or hard copy. Please note that any printed manuscripts must be accompanied by a disk copy as all editing is completed in MS Word, using Track Changes.

Manuscripts must be in 12point font, double-spaced lines, and if in the case of printed format, single-sided A4 paper.

There are three types of editing - Structural, Copyediting, and Proofreading.

Copyediting

Does not involve structural editing, but looks at sentence structure, consistency and flow, accuracy, spelling and punctuation. At times copyediting can overlap with structural editing.

Structural edit

Also known as content or substantive editing. This process checks the content, style, language, layout, presentation, paragraphing, chapter, characterisation and consistency, story consistency, audience, strengths and weaknesses. It also covers tailoring the work to its audience and ensures the authors 'voice' is clear. It is a much more in-depth edit.

Proofreading

This is the final stage of the editing of the process. Proofreading is usually performed after the first draft print run is complete to check for any typo's, punctuation, correct page and chapter numbering, that all deletions and insertions have been carried out and the allotted 'style' has been followed. When proofreading is complete the final copies are printed or formatted for downloading as an ebook.


Editing Rate per 100 Words:

Proofreading:
0.65cents - 0.95cents per 100 words

Copy edit:
1.25cents - $2.45 per 100 words

Structural edit:
$2.15 - $3.25 per 100 words



All fees are in Australian dollars.
Payment can be made by money order, direct bank transfer (Australia only), or Paypal. Method will be confirmed on signing agreement.

Clear instruction by the author is added to the ‘Editing Agreement’ to ensure the correct method of edit takes place, along with any other specific instructions.

A 40% deposit is required at commencement of the editing contract. The balance can be paid in one lump sum at the end of the editing process, or progress payments can be arranged allowing the author to reduce the final balance at completion of the edit.

If you wish to send your manuscript snail mail, please post to:

Linda Lycett
P.O.Box 2489
Bowral
NSW 2576
Australia

email address: thebookedit (at) gmail.com

Your work is important and held in strict confidentiality. If you have any queries or questions, please do not hesitate to contact me for further information.