[Louisiana Tech University students need to check the “Thesis and Dissertation Editing For LA Tech University Students Only” section above; do not use this section.]
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 plus 2.99% (to cover PayPal fees for receiving money for goods and services); proofreading (having another set of eyes check your document after it has been edited by another) is 0.01 USD per word plus 2.99% (to cover PayPal fees for receiving money for goods and services).
I will need the whole manuscript (including any cover page, dedication, table of contents, authorization page, and reference pages). I require a digital copy to be emailed to me—Microsoft Word is preferred. The manuscript should be double-spaced (except for the captions beneath any figures or tables). I will not make any changes to the body of your I will need the whole manuscript to be emailed to me—Microsoft Word is preferred. The manuscript should be double-spaced (except for the captions beneath any figures or tables). I will not make any changes to the body of your document. I will use the comment feature instead.
Rush orders: A proper copy edit or proofread can take 1/2 hour per page; however, it can take even longer depending on the number of issues per page. I also do not work around the clock (a sleepless editor is not an effective editor). 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/MerchantEditor
Instructions on how to send money via PayPal: www.paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/how-do-i-send-money-help293
David Merchant: English beta reader, editor, indexer, and proofreader 