My Editing Process
✨ Just a reminder, I specialize in speculative genres (especially sci-fi, fantasy, horror) and don't edit romance genres (except romantasy). I offer copyediting and proofreading but not evaluations or developmental editing. I do, however, know a ton of great editors who do! Get in touch and I'll refer you.
Here are the steps you can expect when hiring me as your editor.
- Join my waitlist (or fill out my contact form):
- Once you're on the waitlist, every month you'll have access to new editing spots that open up. I don't book farther than three months out for new clients, so this is the best way to stay on top of new openings.
- If you've filled out my contact form, I'll confirm receipt within a business day and ask a few more clarifying questions to make sure we're a good fit.
- If we're not (usually because of a genre mismatch or I don't provide the editing service you need), I am happy to connect you with other editors in my network you could contact.
- Making sure we're a good fit:
- Once you're ready to claim an editing spot, I will offer to do a free sample edit of 1,000 words from the middle of your manuscript (just to make sure we're on the same page with project scope and deliverables). I'll send you a short proposal with cost and timeline.
- I will also give the option to book a 30-min Zoom call to ask any questions you might have and to make absolutely sure it's a good fit for both of us.
- Feel free to ask me all the questions you like and check my testimonials or ask for references.
- Booking me for editing:
- If you decide you want to work with me, I'll send you an editing contract to sign, which puts us on the same page in terms of expectations, timeline, payment deadlines.
- Once you've returned the signed contract, I will send an invoice for a 20% nonrefundable booking deposit to secure your spot in my future schedule.
- Invoicing:
- A week before I start editing, I will send you an invoice for 40% of the total fee.
- The remaining 40% will be due right before I send you the edited manuscript.
- Turnaround time:
- It will usually take me between 2-5 weeks to finish editing your book, depending on word count.
- A 50K novel will be closer to 2-3 weeks.
- 100K or more words tends to be 4-6 weeks.
- And proofreading jobs can be faster, between 1-2 weeks.
- Style guides and dictionaries:
- I most often use the Chicago Manual of Style for fiction editing and the Merriam Webster dictionary (for US spelling). I'm also experienced with Canadian spelling.
- I most often use the Chicago Manual of Style for fiction editing and the Merriam Webster dictionary (for US spelling). I'm also experienced with Canadian spelling.
- Communication expectations:
- While I'm editing your manuscript, I will follow up via email every Friday with an update on my progress, especially for longer projects.
- You can feel free to email me with any questions at any time.
- Deliverables:
- You will receive the edited document in Microsoft Word with Track Changes and comments in the margin.
- A clean copy with all changes accepted for easier reading.
- And a style sheet (a full one for copyediting and a more basic one for proofreading jobs, if you don't have one from your copyeditor already).
- Post-edit clean-up pass:
- Once you receive your edited manuscript back, it's your turn to go through and accept/reject my suggestions, then make any minor additions.
- I will check those additions and send you back a cleaned-up version ready for formatting.
- Optional wrap-up 30-minute Zoom call:
- You'll have an opportunity to ask any questions about my edits or next steps for your book. And of course it's fun to just celebrate being one step closer to publishing your book!
- You'll have an opportunity to ask any questions about my edits or next steps for your book. And of course it's fun to just celebrate being one step closer to publishing your book!
“With her enthusiastic interest and support for writers and writing, and her wide knowledge of many genres, Erika always brings special insight to your project. She has a keen eye for sentence structure, word efficiency, and rhythm, and is reliable and easy to work with. |
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