I have two editing services: one for Louisiana Tech University students, and another for everyone else. I worked for Louisiana Tech University for 22 years and have been on the approved list of faculty available for doing English checks for theses and dissertations since 2014. For Louisiana Tech students, I charge the approved discounted rate. For everyone else, my editing rates are listed below.
I primarily edit non-fiction; I have been editing theses, dissertations, and books since 2014.
Thesis and Dissertation Editing (English Check) For LA Tech University Students Only
You will need to be a student at Louisiana Tech University and, thus, need to be able to prove your student status by either using your Louisiana Tech email (@latech.edu) or if using another email, I need to know who your advisor is (including their email) so that I can verify your student status. My wife and I are both retired from Louisiana Tech University and know most thesis and dissertation advisors personally.
Whether it is a thesis or a dissertation, the rate is $4 per page starting from the abstract to the appendices. However, I will need the whole manuscript (cover page, dedication, table of contents, authorization page, and reference pages) in case I notice any discrepancies in word usage, hyphenation choices, etc. I require a digital copy (file attachment sent to our email to double-check the font size and spacing) to be emailed to me—Microsoft Word is preferred. Font size is to be 12; the manuscript should be double-spaced (except for the captions beneath figures and tables).
Rush orders: A rush order is one where you need the English check to be completed in fewer than two days. For overnight orders add 25% ($5.00 per page); for orders with a deadline of two days add 15% ($4.60 per page). However, I retain the right to refuse a rush order or overnight order for large documents as I will not have enough time to do a proper English check (see Time Estimate below).
Time Estimate: English checks can take 1/2 hour to 1 hour per page; therefore, a good conservative estimate would be to take the number of pages from the abstract to the end of the appendices, and use that number as the estimated hours I will need. Again, recall that I do need the whole manuscript sent to me so I can check for discrepancies.
What You Get
- The document is checked for grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation errors.
- The document is checked for technical consistency in spelling, abbreviation, capitalization, dash and hyphen use, font use, numerals, and symbols (for example, check for British and American English variants of a word being used interchangeably).
- The document is checked for unclear passages and sentences.
- Revisions are suggested for decreasing wordiness.
- Revisions are suggested for improving the flow and structure of the text.
- Corrections made by you are checked for accurate revisions (if requested). One revision check is included for free for Louisiana Tech University students.
- A letter or email is written to the Graduate School stating that the thesis or dissertation has been edited. Further suggestions or critiques will be offered if necessary.
What You Do Not Get
- Documentation system, pagination, content accuracy, and the correctness of format are not checked.
- All questions regarding format and content can be answered only by your advisor, your department, or the Graduate School.
Contact email: merchant.david@gmail.com
Payment: All fees are paid before the day of delivery via PayPal. You do not need a PayPal account to send money: paypal.me/DavidMMerchant
Non-Fiction Copy Editing and Proofreading Rates
Louisiana Tech University students need to check the “Thesis and Dissertation Editing For LA Tech University Students Only” section above.
Non-fiction includes blog posts, memos, reports, white papers, theses, dissertations, manuals, and books.
I charge by the word instead of the hour as it more accurately reflects the work done. Copy editing is $0.02 USD per word; proofreading (checking your document after it has been edited) is $0.01 USD per word.
I will need the whole manuscript (including any cover page, dedication, table of contents, authorization page, and reference pages). I require a digital copy (file attachment sent to our e-mail to double-check font size and spacing) to be emailed to me—Microsoft Word is preferred. The manuscript should be double-spaced (except for the captions beneath any figures or tables).
Rush orders: A proper copy edit or proofread can take 1/2 hour to 1 hour per page; however, it can take even longer depending upon the number of issues are in a page. I also do not work around the clock. I only want to do my best for you and that can be difficult to do for a large project with a short deadline– a rushed job. When you contact me asking for a rushed copy edit or proofread, I will need to see the document before I agree. I retain the right to refuse a rush order for large documents as I will not have enough time to do a proper job. If I agree to a rush job, it can cost an extra 50%. I cannot do overnight jobs except for documents 8 pages or fewer. Overnight jobs will cost double (an extra 100%).
What You Get With Copy Editing
- The document is checked for grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation errors.
- The document is checked for technical consistency in spelling, abbreviation, capitalization, dash and hyphen use, font use, numerals, and symbols (for example, check for British and American English variants of a word being used interchangeably).
- The document is checked for unclear passages and sentences.
- Revisions are suggested for decreasing wordiness.
- Revisions are suggested for improving the flow and structure of the text.
- Proofreading corrections made by you are checked for accurate revisions (if requested).
What You Do Not Get
Documentation system, pagination, content accuracy, or the correctness of format are not checked. Check the writer’s guidelines or style guide for your publisher, school, or workplace regarding format and content questions.
Contact email: merchant.david@gmail.com
Payment: All fees are paid before the day of delivery via PayPal. You do not need a PayPal account to send money: paypal.me/DavidMMerchant
Fiction Copy Editing and Proofreading Rates
I cannot edit or proofread fiction targeting young adults or children as the requires extra editing knowledge and experience (such as correct word choices) that I do not have. Please keep in mind that copy editing and proofreading do not include editorial assessment, content editing, or developmental editing. In other words, copy editing and proofreading do not cover story element issues like poor character development or plot holes. However, if in the course of copy editing or proofreading I just cannot help myself and make a “reader in good faith” comment regarding a story element, it will be bonus feedback done at no extra charge. I charge by the word instead of the hour as it more accurately reflects the work done.
Copy editing is $0.015 USD per word; proofreading (checking your document after it has been edited) is $0.01 USD per word.
Rush orders: A proper copy edit or proofread can take 1/2 hour to 1 hour per page; however, it can take even longer depending upon the number of issues are in a page. I also do not work around the clock. I only want to do my best for you and that can be difficult to do for a large project with a short deadline– a rushed job. When you contact me asking for a rushed copy edit or proofread, I will need to see the document before I agree. I retain the right to refuse a rush order for large documents as I will not have enough time to do a proper job. If I agree to a rush job, it can cost an extra 50%. I cannot do overnight jobs except for documents 8 pages or fewer. Overnight jobs will cost double (an extra 100%).
What You Get
- The document is checked for grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation errors.
- The document is checked for consistency in spelling, abbreviation, capitalization, dash and hyphen use, font use, numerals, and symbols (for example, check for British and American English variants of a word being used interchangeably except when required). However, dialogues are not checked.
- The document is checked for unclear passages and sentences.
- Revisions are suggested for decreasing wordiness.
- Revisions are suggested for improving the flow and structure of the text.
- Proofreading corrections made by you are checked for accurate revisions (if requested).
What You Do Not Get
- Dialogues are not checked.
- Documentation system, pagination, content accuracy, or the correctness of format are not checked. Check the writer’s guidelines or style guide for your publisher, school, etc. regarding format and content questions. Consider joining a writer’s group for feedback or taking a writing workshop course from your local university.
- Editorial assessment, content editing, or developmental editing are not checked. In other words, story element issues like poor character development or plot holes are not checked.
Contact email: merchant.david@gmail.com
Payment: All fees are paid before the day of delivery via PayPal. You do not need a PayPal account to send money: paypal.me/DavidMMerchant
Mr. David M Merchant 