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3. Comprehensive, Full Line Edit, Once-Through

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For completed manuscripts

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SUBSTANTIVE. EVERY LINE. EVERY WORD.  THOROUGH. COMPREHENSIVE ONCE-THROUGH.  How much is done depends on the clarity and quality of the writing. HEAVY CRITIQUING (notes to author) in Comments. Nonfiction, memoirs. (Note: I edit novels that are written in past tense)

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If you wish a Full Polish, Publish Ready - please see Package 4 below. 

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(1) Organization and reading flow – paragraphing, space breaks, chapter breaks, section breaks – pace, rhythm – trim out excess/redundant words/phrases/passages, typical “wordiness” – narrative voice – tone – backstory, flashbacks, character bio – where to open and end chapters – where your book starts (hook) – sequencing – dramatic narration.  

(2) Full line editing of grammar and punctuation (e.g, verb tense, sentence structure, active voice, adjectives, adverbs). 

(3) Setting and background – use of details (where, when, who).

(4) May include suggested rewriting, paraphrasing, summarizing, transitions (to keep as you wish, most clients use 95%).  

(5) Notes in Comments also include strategies for entire book.  

(6) Summary Overview Letter.

 

My edit revisions can be heavy. Depends on the condition of the manuscript (two-thirds are in the middle or faster end of the time estimate). All work on computer is done with Track Changes turned on (in Word).

 

FOR PERSONAL ESTIMATE EMAIL to me Completed manuscript in a single Word document. (1) Hard page break each new chapter & section. (2) standard tab-in paragraphs (not block paragraphs as in texting or letters). (3) Double-space. (4) Page number top right. (5) Times New Roman 12. (6) Text only (no photos). If not in format, increases work time.

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TIME FOR YOUR EDITING determines your cost. The better your writing and grammar, the faster it goes. On paper is less cost for you, you type all of my hand-printed edits on your pages. On computer gives you a more complete edit, and saves you the time and effort. 

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ON PAPER avg 1000-1800 wds/hr - As done for Ocean Palmer, Timothy Rizzi, Joe Lester, Roger Allen; Judy Haisten. Pages returned Priority Mail (adds $25). You type the edits. LESS COST FOR YOU. 

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ON COMPUTER - Memoirs, nonfiction, and well-written novels (flow ) avg 650 wds/hr (500-1000). The most complete line edit. If your book is well-written, the most cost-effective for your manuscript. 

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$40/hour

 

FIRST RETAINER ON ZELLE $899 to charolm@aol.com

(or ON PAYPAY use button $930)

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Under 20,000 words $45/hr

Under 5,000 words $50/hr

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The balance per term arrangements in Formal Agreement

(no refunds on retainers/deposits paid) 

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3a.  Book Light Edit poetry, $50/hr 

 

Under 20,000 words, $60/hour

Minimum fee $650 deposit, Zelle to charolm@aol.com or check to Charol Messenger

(or on PayPal $672, use button below; you can apply for their six months to repay)

Estimate 1-2 months, depending on what is needed.

Next month final payment or pay additional hours worked plus estimate portion)

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4. Developmental Edit, Full Polish

 

 

YOUR COMPLETED MANUSCRIPT. TRIMMED. TIGHTENED. HONED. 

RETAIN PERSONAL VOICE, OPTIMISM, so constructive and helpful to readers. 

Yes edited to audience teen years (I edit to plain English, simplify).

Workbook pages, yes. (loads of experience on that, dozens of projects, businesses and authors).

FULL POLISH, ready for publication. 

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THE WORK DONE: 

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(1) Organization and reading flow INCLUDES: 

– rearranging for reading flow 

– paragraphing, space breaks, chapter breaks, section breaks

– pace, rhythm

– trim out excess/redundant words/phrases/passages, typical “wordiness”

– narrative voice

– tone

– backstory, flashbacks, character bio

– where to open and end chapters

– where your book starts (hook)

– sequencing

– dramatic narration  

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(2) ​Full line editing of grammar and punctuation (e.g, verb tense, sentence structure, active voice, adjectives, adverbs) INCLUDES:

– Adding space breaks for paragraphs, topics, chapters, sections.

– Converting to personal voice and point of view, if needed (so warm appeal and relatable). 

– Converting to active verbs (very important, to reach readers directly).

– Enhancing active voice through punctuation, for clarity. (Pacing enhances reader connection).

– Cleaning up tone so that it's positive, optimistic, and inspiring (rather than negative).

– Addressing excessive repetition and overwriting (common).

– Clarity. 

– Smooth reading (paragraphing, chapters order), if needed. This is ghostwriting skills, even though your words.

– If missing details and scenes (who, when, where, details), increases work time (email communications is fastest).

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(3) Setting and background – use of details (where, when, who).

(4) May include rewriting, paraphrasing, summarizing, transitions, additions (to keep as you wish, most clients use 95%).  

(5) HEAVY CRITIQUING (notes to author) in Comments. Notes in Comments also include strategies for entire book.  

(6) Summary Overview Letter.

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Full Development Examples: Molly Fiore's OPTING IN! won 1st Place in memoirs, and spring 2019 Bonnie Brown's Raising Jennifer Lawrence .

​Novels polish, takes more time. e.g. well-written light mystery 300 pgs 200 hours (e.g., Henry Schulte's Misery Loves Company).

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Book-length memoir, nonfiction: average 5-6 months, minimum 100 hours (averages 150-175+ hours depending on original length). Not a flat rate or hours. I know by halfway the anticipated hours.  

You may choose recommended second-round full polish, it is not locked in (averages 2/3 of the original time, as done for Molly Fiore).

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COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT AVERAGES 650 words/hour (500-1000)

Examples,

- Molly Fiore (two rounds full editing, one quick final touches): final trim 47%. (Original good manuscript 106,230 words. Final trim to 50,397 words. First edit trimmed 32%, second edit final polish = total trim 47%; with final touches) = 163 hours = avg 652 wd/hr.

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- Judy Haisten 2021, The Pirates of Panama, second book Historical Nonfiction, heavy developmental edit on good manuscript. 125 hours (9 months), included some major rearranging, a lot of email questions/answers on missing details (which she provided). Publishing now (Sept 2022). (Book one, memoir, won 4 international book awards, Canal Zone Daughter: An American Childhood in Panama , line edit twice). 

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If you have a traditional publisher - I format  in Times New Roman 12, double-space, header/footer, and one inch margins. 

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On interest, I develop a simple 1-2 page Formal Agreement authorizing the work, detailing my work plan, and estimating timelines for retainers.​​​

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$45/hour

 

FIRST RETAINER ON ZELLE $1299  to charolm@aol.com

(or  ON PAYPAY use button $1344)

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The balance per term arrangements in Formal Agreement

(no refunds on retainers/deposits paid) 

Under 20,000 words $50/hour

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FOR PERSONAL ESTIMATE EMAIL to me Completed manuscript in a single Word document. (1) Hard page break each new chapter & section. (2) standard tab-in paragraphs (not block paragraphs as in texting or letters). (3) Double-space. (4) Page number top right. (5) Times New Roman 12. (6) Text only (no photos). If not in format, increases work time.

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5. Ghostwrite Your Memoir, to Publish-Ready

 

INCLUDES ALL WORK DESCRIBED ABOVE. PLUS:

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I only do this if it honors you. 

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EMAIL TO ME YOUR MANUSCRIPT DRAFT; PLUS, ALL WRITTEN MATERIALS YOU CAN COLLECT (EVERYTHING, NOTES, LETTERS, DRAFTS, IDEAS.... ETC.) PLEASE BE SURE THAT YOUR DRAFT INCLUDES DATES, NAMES OF PLACES, IDENTIFY PEOPLE (at least first name, by their association to you), SETTING DETAILS, WEATHER etc. SO THAT I ONLY need to development and shape what you provide. (Minimum 200 hours, details below). 

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BEST TO HAVE YOU WRITE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN, BEFORE I BEGIN. YOUR ENTIRE PLANNED BOOK IS BEST. - THIS IS THE BEST AND ONLY WAY TO GET YOUR VOICE, YOUR WORDS. THEN  I FIX THE FLOW, READABILITY, ORGANIZATION, STORY FEATURES, GRAMMAR, PUNCTUATION, VERBS, AND POINT OUT (here and there) WHAT MORE MIGHT BE NEEDED TO ENHANCE THE APPEAL TO THE READERS. I DO MY BEST WORK, WITH YOUR BEST-EFFORT FULL MANUSCRIPT DRAFT. Best if you take the time to do this before I get it. 

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IF YOU ALSO WISH, WE CAN RECORD YOUR STORIES (this doubles the work time, including visits, transcription, and way more content to shape and trim down). 

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MEMOIR GHOSTWRITE (i.e. comprehensive development of your draft, and integrate any other materials): averages 12 months $55/hr, estimate 250-350 hours  completed (plus time for all consultations [i.e. emails and all back-and-forth questions/answers such as my requesting details here and there, all a part of the development]; plus, any visits or in-person stories to record then transcribe. Best if you do your own research (i.e. location names and descriptions, settings, scenery, weather; dates, people, etc. If I do this could add at least months and is remote only by computer. (Note: extensive back-and-forth info may substantially increase work hours; as would any in-person recordings and transcription; as would any needed research to flesh out details of settings, places, timelines, history, peoples - which help the reader to "be there.") Minimum 200 hours based on averages for full manuscripts and zero research. 

 

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First retainer is based on 24 hours initially (estimate 4 weeks). First step, I read manuscript emailed to me (as a single document, in microsoft Word), organize, get the gist, start the development. Then we visit and I share my observations and strategy for going forward. 

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First Retainer ON ZELLE $1299 to charolm@aol.com

or ON PAYPAY use button $1344

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After the initial work, you may continue or stop. I only do this if it honors you. If it takes fewer hours or months, I am fine with that. This is a projection of possible time needed.

 

All work is on retainer. Any hours prepaid and any not yet used are carried over. 

You may cancel at any time (no refunds on retainers paid). 

Monthly, I send you my time log on work done. I'll email on occasion as the work progresses, to keep you in the loop.

I work 3-4 weekdays weekly.   

I will write a simple Formal Agreement, including terms listed here. 

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Second retainer/month $1499. Going forward, monthly retainer is based on most recent accumulated hours worked (increases as I get deeper into the focus and gain momentum).

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The balance due is paid on receipt of the final product, per terms in Formal Agreement.

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I can also do a book layout for self-publishing, and assist with set up on Amazon paperback (and/or hardcover) and Kindle, as well as their cover design program (or refer you to New Zealand designer). 

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