Dar's Corrections                 "Your words perfected"

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.

I call this a detailed "line-by-line edit".  Others call this "content" editing.

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.

For my purposes--and yours--When you hire me to a full line-by-line edit, I read for all of these things. In the case of fiction, this also includes 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 $35 per hour or $5 per page or $.02 per word (TimesNewRoman size 12 or equivalent, double-spaced, 250 words per page). I usually count on at least three readings. This rate is charged for the first reading of a full manuscript.  The second and third readings for the same document are provided at no extra charge.

I also charge this rate for a detailed edit of any other document - letters, resumes, essays, articles.

For full manuscript projects estimated over $1000, I require a first payment of no less than 10% the total estimated price and that 10% is non-refundable. For projects estimated under $1000, I require a first payment of no less than 25% and that 25% is non-refundable.

I know many writers don't have a huge budget, so please feel free to contact me, anyway. I am flexible and can tailor my services, prices and payment plans to suit your needs. (ex: a "pay-as-you-go" plan where we work on a couple of chapters at a time and no deposit is required)

**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-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).

Proofreading is not as detailed as copyediting.  Proofreading entails looking for typos, spelling, grammar, sentence structure, or punctuation...without looking at accuracy of content, character or scene development.

For this kind of work I charge $20 per hour or $3 per page or $.01 per word(TimesNewRoman size 12, double-spaced, 250 words per page).  These fees are charged for the first reading of a document.  Any additional readings on the same document are at no charge.

Same percentage of deposit required as for copyediting.

**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-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).

Transcription is a fancy word for typing.

My accurate typing speed of 100 word per minute, and editing eye allows me to produce work quickly and to 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 $30 per hour typed and no less than $60 per recorded hour.

Speechwriting entails research both on the Internet and through documents provided by a client, contacting individuals for permission to use their work, and drafting and editing the actual speech.

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.

For this, I charge $50 per hour.

Ghostwriting is similar to speechwriting 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.  I read somewhere that the ghostwriter for Hilary Clinton's book was paid $50,000.  Unfortunately, I was not Hilary Clinton's ghostwriter.  The average going rate is anywhere between $12,000 or $24,000 over the "lifetime" of the project.

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

For this service I charge a flat fee of $15,000, payable over the "lifetime" of the project in a bi-weekly or monthly payment plan that works for you.  The royalties or advances are entirely yours to do what you wish with them.  I stake no specific percentage or portion of those.

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).

I believe the tidiness of your documents is just as essential 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.

I can use Microsoft Office Publisher, MS Word or WordPerfect 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.

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.