Olsen Editorial Rates:

Editing Service: 

Comprehensive Editing: $40.00/ hour 

Copyediting only: $.05/word 

Writing Service: 

Writing and Interviewing: $40.00/hour 

Book Review rates: 

Entire manuscript In-depth Review: $50.00 plus $1.00/page (One page in Times New Roman, 12 point, one inch margins, either double or 1.5 spacing OK.)

Includes complete read-through and a written evaluation. Because this can get costly, I suggest you begin first with the Light evaluation (see below). Once you have completed the suggested changes from the Light review, you may want a deeper evaluation. 

Light evaluation: $75.00 

Includes review of a 3-5 page outline plus the first 20 pages of the manuscript. I’ll copyedit one or two pages so you can see about where you stand on the basics, then give you a written evaluation of the plot as I understand it. Outlines can be single-spaced and should include the chapter number or name, then a short paragraph about what happens. 

For novels, briefly describe the plot action that is carried forward in each chapter. For non-fiction, describe the content. Outlines that exceed five pages will be charged an additional $5.00/page.

Comprehesive editing and copyediting for a final, professional manuscript.

The best results seem to come as we work together to bring your manuscript to a professional level. I do this by making suggestions, sometimes altering the wording myself or asking you to. I cut, shape, combine, and rewrite sentences and paragraphs when needed. Then I send it by email to you for your input, changes, and acceptance of my suggestions. You put in your words or changes as you grasp why they are needed, and when we are both satisfied, we move on.

This back and forth editing seems to work best because authors take part in the process of editing everypage of their book. The costs for this kind of editing generally run upwards of $1,000. (Or double that.) I mention this because you need to be able to judge when to use this kind of service and when to save your money.

Save your money . . .  if you have a publsiher. The publisher will usually ask you to make changes and then take care of the final copyediting. 

Spend some money if . . . you are self-publishing your book. This services is especially important for companies, businesses, and individuals who will not have the benefit of a publishing house editiorial review.

Toss up . . . if you want your manuscript to be the very best it can be as you prepare to submit it, then it's up to you to decide if the benefits are worth the price.

NOTE: I have not raised my rates in ten years. It takes hours and hours of time for me to go through your manuscript, so do as much work as you can on your time. When I send it back, make the needed changes. I will do everything I can to streamline the process and keep costs down.