English Editing Services
At USA Editor your success is our goal. We take pride in proofing and polishing all of your American English business documents, manuscripts, instruction pamphlets, web copy and product information. Professional editing of all your business documents is an essential final step for your business plan to succeed.
With over 24 years experience in editing and writing, we guarantee that your documents will impress your clients and customers. Here at USA-Editor we combine our command of American Business English and attention to detail, to bring your best image forward on the written page. We will check your documents for grammar, spelling and accuracy of all content.
USA Editor serves customers worldwide. We welcome your business and invite you to Request a Quote today for an estimate on your American English business or personal project.
Our Professional American English Editing Services include but are not limited to, Product Information, Business Letters and Reports, Web Copywriting and Editing, Film Content and Web Copy, Captions and Branding, Personal biographies, Essays & Memoirs Critique and Feedback for works of fiction and non-fiction.
Thank you for visiting USA-Editor.com.
For more information on fiction and non-fiction editing, please see below:
(English) Fiction and Non-fiction
Frequently Asked Questions
Are sample edits helpful in determining which editor to choose?
Sample edits can be misleading. Even the weakest of editors could appear strong on the basis of marks on a few pages of text. Some of the most critical issues within a manuscript cannot be “marked”. An example would be the issue of focus. What if you are paying too much attention to one character and not enough to another? The editor will find this error with a full edit of the manuscript, but not in the first chapter. This is one of many examples of writing issues that can be explained only within the context of a written report. These issues are rarely evident in the first few pages of a manuscript, and these are the errors that will most likely mark you as an amateur and lead to rejection. There is simply no accurate way to judge the skill of an editor based on the results of a ‘short’ edit.
Are manuscript specifications really important?
Absolutely. If you want a chance to be published, you must format your manuscript for easy readability. Publishers don’t want your manuscript to look like a published book page; they want it to be easy on their eyes. Most publishers will automatically reject submissions that look pretty but are difficult to read. Twelve-point Courier is easiest on the eyes. Times Roman looks prettier, but Courier will open more doors for you. Your manuscript should be formatted with one-inch margins on all sides, double-spaced, with Courier or New Courier font no smaller than twelve-point, and no more than 26 lines per page.
Should I copyright my manuscript before sending it to my editor?
If you are concerned about the security of your manuscript during the editing process, visit the US Copyright Office FAQ page. You’ll find that your work is protected by law even without formal registration. However, I do suggest that you register your work in progress with the Writer’s Guild of America. The fee is nominal and you will have peace of mind.
Why is total payment in advance necessary?
In order to receive the most accurate evaluation of your work, an editor must be honest and candid with remarks and suggestions. If an editor is paid half of the fees up front and the remainder on completion, the editor may have a tendency to sugarcoat their comments to assure receipt of the final payment. Remember, you are paying for criticism and you may not agree with everything your editor says about your work. Sometimes the truth hurts, but only total honesty from your book editor will prove helpful. Editors who allow payment plans cannot be as forthcoming in their comments as those who receive payment in advance.
Back to TopMANUSCRIPT CRITIQUE
fiction & creative non-fiction
Why do new writers need a developmental edit?
It is a proven fact that it's impossible to proof your own work. All writers tend to overlook mistakes of all sizes. Your mind subconsciously fills in what it thinks should be there and your conscious appraisal is none the wiser. But you can be sure that an agent or acquisitions editor will be aware of your oversights. Because editing is actually part of the writing process, you absolutely cannot let your manuscript leave your possession without this important step. Think of this process an intensive workshop in crafting your novel or manuscript.
What is included in a developmental edit?
A developmental edit includes comments and suggestions on the following:
- Plot Structuring
- Setting the Hook
- Building Suspense
- Story Development
- Point of View
- Scene Setting
- Character Development
- Action and Pacing
- Tone/Voice
- Authentic Dialogue
- Style Consistency
- Readability
- Climax/Story Resolution
The Critique Report
My manuscript edit includes an in-depth evaluation of the above listed issues, which you will be able to apply in your revision process. Consider the report a short course in writing technique. You will receive a one to two page report summarizing the above points, as well as a color-coded electronic file with suggestions and mark-ups directly in your manuscript using Word’s tracking feature. Be aware that a critique is not a re-write of your manuscript.
What is the cost of a developmental edit?
Complete manuscript edit: 4 USD per page.
Example: Your 300 page manuscript costs $1,200 USD.
How does the process work and how long will it take?
You will send me your entire manuscript as an email attachment and I will return your manuscript in the same manner with edits and suggestions in electronic format. Turn-around time is approximately three weeks for a 300-page novel.
The editing tool - Word’s tracking or mark-up tool:
The Word tracking tool allows the reader to insert corrections and comments in a clear and concise manner. The tool gives you the option to accept or reject the changes, so that you are never committed to a change that you don’t agree with. Don’t worry if you are not familiar with Word’s tracking tool. I will send you instructions that you will need to follow in order to familiarize yourself with the process. Every editor uses this tool and every writer should become proficient with Word’s tracking (mark-up) tool. Your eventual publishing editor will expect you to know how to use this tool. I recommend that you create a back up file in which to save your previous versions and a separate file for all edited versions.
A note on LINE EDITING
The identification and correction of basic spelling, grammar and format problems is a completely separate and worthy aspect of manuscript evaluation, requiring a separate read process. If you want your manuscript to receive a careful and complete line edit, resulting in detailed mark-up of your pages, my charge is $1.00 additional per page.
A Caveat or two…
I do not provide marketing services. I don’t shop your work to agents or publishers, nor do I make any guarantee, implied or otherwise, pertaining to the marketability of your work.
In addition, I reserve the right to turn away your manuscript if I feel the material and its execution is beyond my ability to add value. If I consider that your work could be served better by another editing service, I will make the appropriate recommendation so that you can be served in the most beneficial manner.
Back to TopThe Revision Process & Crafting Your Novel
On-going Editorial Services
Most new writers will revise their manuscript from four to eight times before it is ready for submission. The number one mistake any writer can make is to submit a first draft (rough and unpolished) to an agent or publisher. The agent or publisher will toss the manuscript, and you will be marked as an amateur. You will never have another chance with that agent or publisher again. Throughout the revision process you will learn to craft your writing. You will learn skills that you can apply to future writing projects. This is an intensive workshop in editing your own manuscript.
How the revision process works
Chapter-by-chapter. You will make changes based on my editorial suggestions and highlight these changes in blue font. This technique makes the changes easy to find in the manuscript. Usually you will submit changes chapter by chapter. I will then respond to your revisions using Word’s mark-up editing tool that allows in-line comments and edits. I will always return your single chapter revisions with my suggestions and edits within three days.
Revision and on-going editing fees
This work is done on a chapter-by-chapter basis at a rate of 2 USD per page. REVISIONS are labor-intensive by nature. The editing industry refers to this process as ‘close reading’ because it is labor intensive and requires attention to detail.
Our policy is that full payment is required in advance via Pay Pal or Cashier’s Check. Please see my FAQ page regarding this requirement.
Back to TopSchedule Your Manuscript Critique
- Contact Me via email: macy@usa-editor.com and give me a brief one-paragraph description of your manuscript. If your project falls within my area of expertise, I will ask you to send the entire manuscript as an e-mail electronic file attachment so that I can determine the exact word count and provide you with an exact fee quote.
- I will send you the fee quote within three days and ask you to let me know if you would like to work together on your manuscript. At this point, I encourage you to ask any further questions. Your decision is kindly requested within one week from the provision of the fee quote.
- When you decide to go ahead with your developmental edit, you will then submit your payment in full via PayPal and we begin!