Pricing
Though many editorial companies charge a flat rate per word, at Emma’s Edit we take a more bespoke approach. No two writers are the same; the editing process is always going to be a unique process and relationship for each author. Our pricing strategy and range of services reflect this, designed to be tailored to your individual preferences and requirements.
With our flexible payment system, we’ll build a payment plan together that works for you. A 30-50% deposit is required upfront, depending on your preferences, and the balance can be paid in a number of instalments across a timeframe that suits both of us. As it’s never truly possible to anticipate exact budget hours required for any given project, this allows us to adjust the invoice to reflect our hours worked, and means you’ll never over-pay for editing. Communication at every stage ensures you’re always part of this process and can decide if we need to take the project in a different direction for any reason.
The majority of our overseas clients use Wise (formerly TransferWise) to make payments, and we strongly recommend this platform, as it keeps international transfer fees to a minimum. However, payments can also be made via PayPal, Revolut, or international bank transfer via IBAN – please just let us know if you would prefer to use one of these alternative methods, as they may require a different invoice.
Timeline
1. Hello, and a Sample
Once you’ve said hello, we’ll work together to build the project around you, work out what services you need, and make sure you get exactly what you’re looking for from the editing process. We’ll also ask to see a sample of your work to guide the conversation – usually two chapters or so.
We’ll discuss:
- Journey so far – what stage you’re at in your manuscript
- Outcome – what you’re hoping for and how we can help you achieve it
- You as a writer – any specific questions or concerns you may have about your project
- Service requirements – developmental/copy edit, proofread, or anything else
- Timeframes – your expectations and availability
We will always provide a short (approximately 1,000-2,000 words) sample edit to become acquainted with your style, and more importantly, so that you get an insight into ours. Whether you choose to go ahead with us or not, this is entirely free. Based on the time required for us to edit the sample, we then can generate you an estimate for the service(s) we’ve decided on together.
2. Contract
If you’re feeling good about the sample, timeframe, and estimated price, we’ll send across the Terms and Conditions so that you can confirm that you’re happy to go ahead. Once the deposit has been paid, it’s time to submit your manuscript.
3. Edits
We start on your manuscript, using Microsoft Word and tracking all of the changes we make for you to review.
During a copy/line edit, we’ll always try to tell you why we’re making a change, at least the first time we make it. There’s nothing worse than seeing a swathe of your carefully crafted prose butchered with no indication as to why. The editorial process should be a learning opportunity, and even something you might enjoy! We aim to give you options so that you never feel backed into a corner, and where possible, we’ll give a brief explanation of the rules behind our changes so that you can keep them in mind in future writing. We’ll also mention it when we’re dazzled by your plot twists or if your jokes made us snort out loud – our response as readers, not just editors, can be just as important as knowing why that comma is in the wrong place!
Ultimately, this is your work, and maintaining your vision and individual voice is of paramount importance to us. At all times, you should feel in control and have final say.
During the process, we’re only an email away if you’d like to get in touch. If at any point we feel that it might be necessary to pivot our approach – for example, if some overarching plot elements need work before we can continue the copy edit, or the writing quality varies for any reason – we’ll press pause, reach out, and discuss where you’d like to go next.
4. Over to You
For our developmental services, such as a developmental edit or an editorial review, the project is completed when we send back our comments; it’s up to you what you do with them – if you choose to come back for a copy edit once you’ve finished another draft, we’d be delighted to work with you further.
When copy edits or proofreads are completed, the manuscript will be returned to you for review, and it’s your turn to have your say. You’ll work through the manuscript and address the comments we’ve raised throughout the document. If we’re working to a proofreading level, there are likely to be very few changes, if any, requiring your attention, but in a copy edit there could be questions relating to how whole passages should be restructured. (If we feel that you need to add in extra paragraphs or chapters, we will discuss this with you as well.) You’re in the driver’s seat here: you can agree with or politely reject any of our suggestions, and we’ll always take your perspective into consideration.
While some editing companies will end the process here, your payment already includes the time it will take for us to then read through your responses and make the changes ourselves. Not only does this make your life easier, but it means that the changes will be implemented cleanly and correctly, minimising the chances of any errors sneaking in. Additionally, it opens some dialogue – sometimes we can understand better what you were aiming for in a particular scene or speech once we’ve heard from you.
5. All Done
Once you’ve reviewed and signed off our implement, you should have a manuscript you really love, polished to a shine you can be proud of. If you have any questions about your project after we’ve finalised it, please feel free to keep in touch, and we’d love to hear a testimonial from you if you’re happy to provide one.