Editor/Copy Editor/Ghostwriter

"The Written Word is my Vocation and my Passion."

It's next to impossible to edit one's own writing (or typing, for that matter) with an objective eye. Familiarity breeds errors. As a twenty-five year writing professional (see the Credits Listing page for a list of clients), Donna offers expert editing, copy-editing and ghostwriting services.

Three levels of Editing/Copy Editing service are available:

Express Proofreading-spelling, typing, punctuation and basic grammar

Basic Copy Editing-with above, word choice, clarity, phrasing, grammar and syntax

Advanced Editing-with above, extensive rewriting and reworking of text for readability and style

Rates are available on a per page basis and are based on the type and length of the document. A page is defined as standard manuscript size, using double-spaced lines (cost for single-spaced material is one and a half times the listed rates). Rates for nonstandard documents such as brochures, direct mail pieces, web pages, ballots, questionnaires, et cetera are determined by specific quote. Documents can be transmitted in multiple formats including CD, email, fax and mail.


Submissions Preparation
The best written book will never get published if it's not brought to the attention of the right agent or publisher. Donna is an experienced submission researcher who can save you hours of tedious work, give you access to the industry's most up to the minute information, and provide you with a detailed, easy to follow database for your specific genre.

Ghostwriting Services
It is a ghostwriter's goal to provide the client with a guiding hand; to help them create a polished and complete manuscript that retains their voice and their story.

Hiring a Ghostwriter:
Before hiring any ghostwriter:

Know the writer. Learn about their experience, education, knowledge, quality, style and tone of writing, and their personality.

Know what you want, what you expect and how you hope to accomplish it. Be sure of what services you need and want to complete your work. Communicate precisely what you want your final work to be.

Establish a schedule for communication. More than likely, you have a day job or some other work and your ghostwriter does (I know it's hard to accept) have other clients. Electronic communication is instantaneous and can be accessed when convenient, but it should be agreed upon when and how quickly responses may come, along with approved times for other forms of communication.

Listen carefully. If you don't understand…ask. Part of the job of a ghostwriter is to help the client through the process. Never hesitate to ask for clarification on confusing topics.

Be open and accepting of comments and criticism. It's not easy to hear what's wrong with your work from a complete stranger, but you must be willing to accept the advice you're paying for.

Working with a Ghostwriter:
Once an agreement and contract have been established, the ghostwriter and client need to map their work and formulate their battle plan. After that, the work begins. This plan, as well as fees, payment schedules, and completion times, are all dependent on the following conditions:

The Estimated Length of the Manuscript
The Research Necessary to Complete
The Level of Client Involvement
The Condition of the Work at the Onset

The last is one of the most decisive: i.e., starting from nothing more than an idea will cost a great deal and take a great deal more time than a partially developed manuscript that needs cohesion and refining.

Fees:
The fees are very dependent on the four critical conditions established above. Here is some external information to give you an idea of the market.

"The Writers' Union has established a minimum fee schedule of which you should be aware. For a book of 200-300 pages, the Union has set a total minimum fee of $25,000, payable as follows: $2000 on signing of agreement; $4000 on delivery of detailed outline; $2000 within 30 days of such delivery (if revisions are requested within those 30 days, payment will be on delivery of the revised outline); $3000 on delivery of first draft of one chapter; $9000 on delivery of first draft of entire manuscript; and $5000 on delivery of revised manuscript."

This is what the Writer's Market had to say about ghostwriting prices:
"Rates range from $5,000 very low, $15,000 low, $25,000 mid-range, $50,000 high (plus expenses) per project."

Payment:
Payment plans are available of different varieties. As example, one plan offered consists of five parts: 1/5 of the total agreed upon fee as a good faith deposit which covers the first read through of your material, the resolution of any subsequent questions and a bullet-point outline (deposit must be submitted with signed contract). 1/5 of the total agreed upon fee payable upon completion of each third of the book. The last 1/5 of the total agreed upon fee payable upon completion of final edit and proof. Work will not commence on subsequent sections until payment for each section is received.

Completion Time:
Again, this aspect is very dependent on the critical conditions. On average, a 200-300 page manuscript will be completed in six months, no more than nine. Work time is independent of client response time, i.e., if a submitted portion is held for review or non-payment for a month, this time does not count as completion time. Completion time is also highly contingent on changes, the more the client decides to make after the work has begun will effect ending time.

Contract:
A signed contract is required before any and all work can begin. This document will contain a non-disclosure agreement, a statement surrendering any rights by ghostwriter and an acknowledgement whereby client accepts that there are absolutely no guarantees of publication.

Devloping a proposal:
This is a separate, contracted item and charge. Most consist of 30-50 pages including two sample chapters, an outline, market analysis and a standard query letter. Typically 20% of the ghostwriting fee; 30% if market research and development of submission database is also requested.