C. M. MAYO
Author of The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire, etc.


C.M. Mayo < For Writers < Resources < On Editing <

Update: Please see the list of recommended freelance editors on my Resources for Writers: On Editing page.

















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 












Looking for some feedback on your work from a published author?

YOU might have come to the right place. But maybe not. Let me explain. I primarily dedicate my time to my own writing and writing workshops; only occasionally do I take on editing short stories, essays of creative nonfiction (travel, personal memoir, etc.), and, very rarely, longer projects such as novels and memoirs. I do not edit poetry, translations, or in Spanish. If you think you might like to work with me, I invite you to first familiarize yourself with my work as a writer, teacher, and editor.

Please also read my brief blog post, "To All the Many People Who Ask Me to Read Their Manuscripts."

You might consider whether a more appropriate avenue for you at this time might be a workshop, a creativity coach, or perhaps a different freelance editor.

Once you have reviewed my rates and policies as stated below, if you are still interested in working with me, send an e-mail with
*a brief note about yourself;
*your experience as a writer;
*your goals as a writer;
*your intentions for the work at hand:
*any specific questions you want to be sure to have addressed.
*Please also note where you heard about my editing services, which one (or more) of my books you have read, and/or my workshops you have attended, and finally:
*why you want to work with me.

I will make every effort to respond to your query within 7 - 10 days.

For answers to frequently asked questions and general advice about writing and the writing business, I invite you to visit my webpage, Resources for Writers. And for some daily writing inspiration, I invite you to try the "Giant Golden Buddha" and 364 More 5 Minute Writing Exercises, which are available free on-line.

Rates and Policies
50% payment to begin, balance due on delivery. Please note, I cannot accept credit cards at this time; only checks or money orders in USD.

My rates are comprised of three portions as follows:

Portion 1. Reading
For reading any manuscript of less than 30,000 words (approx. 100 pages), I charge a flat rate of .02 per word, which comes to approximately 6 dollars a page*. Please note that this fee does not include editing or commenting; it simply covers my time.

For any manuscript of more than 30,000 words (approx. 101 pages and up), I charge a flat rate of .0166 per word, which is approximately 5 dollars a page.

*Three hundred words is the average for a standard double-spaced WORD page in Times Roman 12 pt. Please note that I cannot accept mansucripts that are not double-spaced because they are hard on the eyes and also leave insufficient space for editorial remarks.


Portion 2. Evaluation (Comments and General Suggestions)
My evaluation may be as brief as couple of paragraphs or more extensive, depending on the work at hand. With this charge you are not paying for my time so much as my expertise.

25 for manuscripts of 1 - 3,000 words (up to approx. 10 pages*)
50 for manuscripts of 3,001 - 7,500 (up to approx. 25 pages)
100 for manuscripts of 7,501 - 15,000 (up to approx. 50 pages)
150 for manuscripts of 15,001 - 22,500 (up to approx. 75 pages)
200 for mansucripts of 22,501 - 30,000 (up to approx. 100 pages)
250 for manuscripts of 30,001 - 45,000 (up to approx. 150 pages)
300 for manuscripts of 45,001 - 60,000 (up to approx. 200 pages)
350 for manuscripts of 60,001 - 75,000 (up to approx. 250 pages)
400 for manuscripts of 75,001 - 90,000 (up to approx. 300 pages)
500 for manuscripts 90,001 - 105,000 (up to approx 350 pages)
550 for manuscripts of 105,001 - 120,000 (up to approx 400 pages)
600 for manuscripts of 120,001 - 135,000 (up to approx 450 pages)
I do not accept manuscripts of more than 450 pages at this time.

*Again, 300 words is the average for a standard double-spaced WORD page in Times Roman 12 pt. Please note that I cannot accept mansucripts that are not double-spaced because they are very hard on the eyes and also leave insufficient space for editorial remarks.

I do not edit on the computer; rather, I print out the manuscript and edit in red pencil.

Portion 3. Line Editing Charge (Optional)
This is the charge for more detailed editing. As I am a literary writer editing literary work, indeed, I charge a higher fee than most other freelance editors. Again, I invite you to familiarize yourself with my work.

.023 per 300 words of mansucript (approx. 7 dollars per page). This fee does not vary with the size of the manuscript.


Here are some examples of how the rates are calculated:

EXAMPLE 1
To edit a 4,500 word (approx. 15 page) short story:
90 Reading
+ 50 Evaluation and Suggestions
= Subtotal 140.
+ 103.50 Line-editing
= TOTAL 243.50 (plus return postage)

EXAMPLE 2
To edit a 60,000 word (approx. 200 page) novel:
996 Reading
+ 300 Evaluation and Suggestions
= Subtotal 1,296
+ 1,380 Line-editing
= TOTAL 2,676 (plus return postage)


Other charges: Postage
Your edited manuscript will be returned to you at the Priority Flat Rate (if you live abroad, the Priority International Flate Rate). To view current U.S. Postage rates, click here. Again, I do not edit on the computer.

Step by Step: 1-2-3
What to Do and What to Expect

1. Send me an e-mail with --- to repeat the above instructions--- a brief note about yourself, your experience as a writer, your goals as a writer, your intentions for the work at hand, and any specific questions you want to be sure to have addressed. Please also note where you heard about my editing services, which one (or more) of my books you have read, and/or my workshops you have attended, and finally, why you want to work with me. Please do not send me any manuscripts at this time, nor any attachments. I automatically delete any and all unsolicited attachments.

I will make every effort to respond to your query within 7 - 10 days.

2. If I am available, I will send you a letter of agreement (LOA) which is simply an e-mail that says, "this is the work I am going to do for you, these are the rates you will be charged, this is the time frame, etc." If you answer that yes, you agree to the LOA, we're good to go. I will then request your 50% deposit and your manuscript to be sent to me via e-mail as a WORD doc attachment. Again, please do not send me any manuscripts until we have a LOA and I have requested it. I automatically delete any and all unsolicited manuscripts.

Again, please note that I
cannot accept credit cards at this time; only checks or money orders in USD.

Once I have received your 50% deposit, I will begin reading.

3. When the work has been completed, I will return your manuscript as a print-out with my line-edits in red pencil, as well as my evaluation with comments and suggestions. This package will include your invoice for the balance due, as per our LOA, which is payable on receipt.

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