I’ve experienced the benefits of editing support throughout my career. I’m excited to support fellow academics by providing editing services. This page outlines how we’ll work together throughout the editorial process.
I primarily provide developmental editing. When requested I provide line editing. I do not provide copy editing services. If you’d like support for that final polish, I am happy to connect you with a colleague. I’ve provided a helpful resource for understanding different types of editorial services in this blog post.
Step 1: Deciding to Work Together
The first step to us working together is to complete an intake form and schedule a call.
On the form you’ll tell me a little about your project – even if you haven’t started writing yet.
During our zoom call, we’ll discuss your project in more detail including: specific concerns you have with the manuscript, submission deadlines, and how we can work together.
I’ll share next steps with you at the end of the call. Then I’ll follow-up via email to summarize our conversation.
If we decide to work together, we’ll move on to “Getting Started.” If not, I can refer you to a colleague or offer additional support ideas as requested.
Step 2: Getting Started
I’ll send you an Editor-Author agreement that outlines our work together. It includes dates booked, the specific services I will provide, my turnaround time, and the total cost based on the agreed upon scope of work.
Once you sign the agreement and pay a $50 non-refundable deposit, I’ll hold space on my calendar for your project.
Depending on my current projects, my first availability for editing services may be several weeks to months out. It’s a good idea to meet with me even before your manuscript is complete so we can align our calendars.
Step 3: Submit the Manuscript to Me
Unless we’re working together in an ongoing coaching relationship with your project, I generally prefer to receive a complete draft. By complete draft, I mean that all the major parts and arguments are included. I don’t expect this to be a publication ready draft, that’s what I’m helping you achieve!
I accept manuscripts in Google docs or Microsoft Word format.
Step 4: My Editorial Process
The scope of work for your manuscript is outlined in our Editor-Author agreement. Below I’ve provided information on all services I may provide for a manuscript.
For every Essential Edit I’ll carefully read your manuscript and provide an assessment and revision plan. My main role as a developmental editor is to assist the author in reaching the intended audience. I read your work through your readers’ viewpoint.
As I’m reading, I’ll evaluate and make note of your argument, evidence and analysis, narrative and structure, and style and voice. At this point if I realize I am not able to support the manuscript as we agreed, I will immediately contact you, refund your deposit, and offer alternative editors who may be a better fit for your manuscript.
Argument
I look for a clearly articulated argument that is woven throughout the text. Specifically, I’ll assess the argument to confirm that it goes beyond a topic (i.e., what you’re writing about and what you found) to address why it’s important and how your findings are explained.
Evidence and Analysis
When assessing evidence and analysis, I consider if you’ve provided sufficient and compelling evidence to back up your argument. I consider the balance of quotation, summaries, and paraphrases of the literature and primary sources. I help ensure your synthesis of the information guides your reader to your conclusions.
Structure
A well-structured manuscript helps readers follow your thinking process and progression from topic to topic. I assess the use of informative headings, transitions, and topic sentences. I also assess the length of the manuscript against guidelines you’ve provided (i.e., word counts required for your intended journal).
Style and Voice
Finally, I assess the style and voice of the manuscript. I consider the following:
- Your intended audience and how the manuscript may land with them;
- jargon that could be clarified, and tone that may alienate readers;
- if your perspective is clearly stated and not overshadowed by secondary sources.
During this assessment of style, I also determine if there are overarching sentence-level patterns that occlude the author’s meaning. Some of these patterns include passive voice, hedges, and overly long, complex sentences.
Step 5: Deliverables
After I’ve reviewed your manuscript, I’ll write a detailed Assessment and Revision Plan (usually 4-7 pages for an article or chapter). I’ll provide in-text edits (if we’ve agreed to those in advance). I’ll send the documents to you once your invoice has been paid in full. If your institution is paying, I need confirmation of pending payment. I accept institutional checks or direct bank transfers, as well as credit and debit cards.
The turn-around for a typical journal article or book chapter (8000-10,000 words) is 10-14 days. If my schedule allows, I may be able to accept a rush request. A 25%-50% surcharge applies.
Manuscript Assessment & Revision Plan
I’ll synthesize my assessment notes and provide you a detailed editorial letter. I can include an ASL version if you’d like.
In the letter, I’ll summarize my findings in each of the areas described earlier. I’ll also provide recommendations for possible revisions for each section of your manuscript. In the revision plan, I may provide an array of options that implement based on your submission timeline.
I provide a comprehensive plan so that you can undertake the revisions independently. Some clients prefer to have a more hands-on editing experience. In this case, I’ll also provide in-text edits and suggestions.
Zoom Consultation
If needed, we can set up a zoom meeting to discuss the Assessment Report and Revision Plan. This call usually takes place before I complete in-text edits. You’ll book this appointment using the link provided in the editorial letter. This call is included in the Essential Edit package. I encourage all my authors to schedule it. This is especially helpful if you have questions or need clarity about the letter or next steps.
In-Text Developmental Edits
If we’ve agreed upon in-text edits, I’ll mark up your manuscript using G-docs or MS-Word’s embedded reviewing features (i.e., “suggesting/editing” rather than making direct changes to your manuscript). In addition to noting strengths of the text, I will provide tangible suggestions right where it’s needed. All of my suggestions are based on the revision plan outlined in the manuscript assessment. I will comment, question, and make suggestions to assist you in making the final revisions of your document.
Since developmental editors are not co-authors, I leave it to you to accept or reject any suggestions to your manuscript.
This set of in-text edits does not include line-editing since you may make significant changes to the manuscript after revisions.
In-Text Line-Edits
After you’ve revised your manuscript, I can provide line-edits. Line-edits are generally concerned with the clarity and flow of the work at the sentence and paragraph level. Therefore, this work is best left until all major revisions are complete.
We’ll book the work on my calendar just as we did with the initial developmental editing work.
Again, I’ll use the reviewing tools built into the software so you can clearly identify revisions, suggestions, or comments. You’ll do the final “acceptance” of changes to your document.
Step 6: Publish & Share
I look forward to seeing your published work! If you’ve agreed, I will share links to you and your publication with my network. I’ll never share that I was I was involved as a developmental editor unless you’ve given me explicit permission to do so.
Getting Started
Levels and Rates for Editing Services
Costs for your project will be outlined in your Editor-Author agreement based on the scope of work and the length of your manuscript.
An Essential Edit, for a journal article or chapter for an edited volume (~8K-10K words) which includes an assessment, revision plan, and zoom consultation is $400.
Add-on services:
- In-text Developmental Edits + $100 – $250
- Line-editing + $250 – $450
The cost of add-on services can be estimated more closely upon completion of the Essential Edit.
Get in Touch
To get started or to learn more about how we can work together, complete the form on the contact page, and book a complementary Questions with Kimberly zoom call.
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