Dar's Corrections

Content editing includes:

Copyediting involves editing for grammar, spelling, punctuation and other mechanics of style; checking for consistency of mechanics and internal consistency of facts; editing captions and/or credit lines.

Substantive editing (aka structural editing) involves reorganizing a manuscript for content and structure.  Basically, if I feel a chapter or paragraph would be better suited in another place, I will suggest that.

Stylistic editing involves smoothing out language, eliminating jargon and cliches, ensuring the text reads for the appropriate audience.

In the case of fiction, I look at characterization and scene development. In the case of non-fiction, I look for flow, presentation, and logical progression of argument, as well as appropriate language for target audience.

For this kind of work I charge $5 per page or $.02 per word (TimesNewRoman size 12 or equivalent, double-spaced, 250 words per page). I will need to see and assess a sample of your work prior to commencing. I usually count on at least three readings. The first re-read is charged at my proofreading rates. Any other readings are no charge.

For full manuscript projects I require a first payment of no less than 25% the total estimated price and that first payment is non-refundable. This does not apply to "pay-as-you-go" contracts.

**Types of projects accepted: Most fiction and non-fiction genres (I have a particular specialty in crime fiction since that is what I personally write and research, and Bible/Christian-living related books.)

**Types of projects not accepted: Erotica fiction and non (rated R is fine, no XXX please), gay fiction and non, demon/witch/vampire or other paranormal/supernatural fiction or non (angels are fine).

**I can work with Word 2007 files.

Copyediting or proofreading is not as detailed as content editing.  Proofreading entails looking for typos, spelling, grammar, sentence structure, or punctuation without looking at accuracy of content, character or scene development (although if something really strikes along this line as I'm reading, I will comment on it).

For this kind of work I charge $3 per page or $.012 per word (TimesNewRoman size 12, doubled-spaced, 250 words per page).  For book projects, this fee is applied to the first re-read (after the initial full edit) and includes any additional readings.

If you wish to have a proofread done ONLY, then a 25% non-refundable deposit is required. If the proofread is a follow-up to an edit, the payment can be split up into budget-friendly installments.

**Types of projects accepted: Most fiction and non-fiction genres (I have a particular specialty in crime fiction since that is what I personally write and research, and Bible/Christian-living related books.)

**Types of projects not accepted: Erotica fiction and non, gay fiction and non, demon/witch/vampire or other supernatural fiction or non (angels are fine).

For articles, essays, theses, dissertations, etc., I charge a minimum of $25 per project. If the word count at my editing or proofreading rate adds up to more than $25 then I will charge the per-word rate. Payment is expected when I complete the edit and return the file to you.

My rate includes any additional readings required. However, if after the edit you add new information to the document I will charge you a per word rate for the extra words. (I only do this if the added content adds the equivalent of a page to your document.)

*If English is not your first language I charge a minimum of $30 per item and a minimum of $.02 per word for projects with word counts that add up to more than $30.

For resumes/CVs, I charge a minimum of $50.

Transcription is a fancy word for typing.

My accurate typing speed of 100 words per minute, and editing eye allows me to produce work quickly and edit as I type.

I can transcribe taped or digitally recorded conversations, interviews, meetings, letters, reports, and classes. I have my own micro-cassette transcribing machine. All you have to do is provide me with a microcassette tape.

I will also transcribe works that are handwritten. (Six years of working with six doctors taught me how to read pretty much anything.)

For this work I charge $1.25-1.67 per minute of recording for both verbatim transcription and note taking.

Editing of current website material is done at a rate of $30 per hour.

Writing of new/original website material, requiring research on topics relating to business of the website, is done at a rate of $50 per hour.

***I do not design websites. This is best delegated to someone who specializes in website management and design.

Article & Press Releases

I will write articles of any length on most topics for use on websites, blogs, newsletters, and press releases. I charge a minimum of $25 per article. If articles require research I require a minimum of $30 per article.

I am comfortable writing for SEO purposes using certain keywords and phrases. 

Article Re-Writing

I offer three-way re-writes of articles of any length at a rate of $15 per article (up to 500 words). Rates to work on articles longer than that will be decided at the time of negotiation. I will re-write the articles and spin them through my software program in .txt format. I will also proofread all spun articles (as required) to ensure that tenses and participles match. You will receive the original document with each sentence re-written three times, and four spins.

*Note: I will only re-write articles to which you own the rights--that is, you have purchased from someone, either directly from a freelancer or from an article/content site, for these purposes. I will not re-write the content off someone's website, blog or magazine/e-zine, book/e-book for your personal or business use. That conduct is unethical and violates copyright law.

I can use Microsoft Office Publisher or MS Word for newsletters, pamphlets, business cards, and brochures. I can write the content for your newsletter, as well, if you so wish.

My work in the Senate provided me with the experience of writing and designing a full newsletter. I had also worked on quarterly newsletters for Argyle Associates in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

For original work requiring research and compilation of information I charge $50 per hour.

To format material already written into a newsletter or pamphlet, requiring editing or not, I charge $30 per hour.

Speech writing entails:

• researching both on the Internet and documents provided by a client;
  
• contacting individuals for permission to use their work;
• interviewing pertinent individuals either by email or phone;
• compiling all the information;
• drafting the speech and editing the finished speech to your particular specifications.

My experience in the Senate of Canada writing speeches on health-related topics for Senator (Dr.) Wilbert Keon, Retired Cardiovascular Surgeon and Founder of the Ottawa Hospital Heart Institute, has taught me how to craft and edit speeches to fit a certain length of time.

I also learned how to craft the tone and terminology of the speeches to the particular audience--doctors and other medical professionals, patients and non-medical people, politicians.

For this, I charge $100 per hour.

As a perfectionist and fellow office professional, one of my pet peeves is to see office or chart information handed out that has been photocopied so many times you can barely read it, or printed on a dot-matrix printer (yes, I'm old enough to remember those).

The tidiness of your documents is just as essential to your public image as the tidiness of your filing cabinets and office surroundings. They represent who you are as a company or service provider and indicate how much pride you take in representing yourself well. It is as important as the time and effort and consideration given to your letterhead and business cards.

In my six years of oral surgical clinical experience, retyping old, faded, crooked documents became one of my specialties. I have reproduced not only post-op instruction sheets for oral and cosmetic surgery patients, but also order forms, progress report forms, questionnaires and mailing lists.

I can also design simple letterheads.

For this, I charge $30 per hour.

Ghostwriting is similar to speech writing in that I'd be writing your words. You may have your research all done and just don't know where to start putting it all together. You may want to write your biography and are not sure how to go about it.  That kind of job is ideal for a ghostwriter.

Ghostwriting fees vary depending on the experience and skills of the writer, and the topic being written about.

In this case, not only would I conduct the research or interviews as necessary and write the book, but I would also provide the content and copyediting services.

For this service I charge a flat fee of $17,500 - $25,000, payable in monthly installments for a period of five months ($3750 - 5000). The royalties or advances are entirely yours to do what you wish with them. I stake no specific percentage or portion of those.