Here are some answers to questions current and potential clients frequently ask me:
Q: What types of books do you specialize in?
A: I only work with fiction manuscripts, specializing in YA/NA fantasy. I also accept romance, sci-fi, and mystery/thriller manuscripts. Since these are the books I read most often, it makes sense that I would edit books from genres I’m familiar with.
I do not work with non-fiction, academic papers, or medical documents.
Q: What about memoirs? They’re not fiction, but they’re not really non-fiction either.
A: Memoirs are kind of their own entity. They are not something I work on often, but I will consider it on a case-by-case basis. Depending on the amount of work the memoir needs, the price will generally be somewhere in the $0.03 to $0.06 per word range.
Q: Editing is expensive! Do you offer payment plans?
A: Absolutely! Publishing a book, particularly as an independent author, is quite expensive. We can work out a payment plan based on your manuscript’s timeline and your financial needs. For more information about my pricing and services, click here.
Q: What is your favorite genre to read?
A: This answer has varied throughout my life, but currently, my favorite genre to read is YA/NA of all kinds. I love the world-building and storylines. I also adore cozy mysteries, many types of romance, and a good mystery/thriller. Ooh, and I can’t forget sci-fi.
Q: Why did you choose to become an editor?
A: It sort of fell into my lap, really. A few years ago, I was introduced to the world of indie authors, and I fell in love. I was blessed to become friends with a best-selling author who let me—a stay-at-home mom with a psychology degree and an excellent grasp of grammar and the English language—beta-read some of her manuscripts, telling me to be brutal in my critiques. Haha. Apparently, those brutal critiques were exactly what was required of an editor because we both decided that this would be the perfect career path for me. And it has truly been a dream come true.
Q: What makes you uniquely qualified to edit my manuscript?
A: I’ve been an avid reader my entire life. So much so that when I was in college, I couldn’t let myself read during the semester; I would get so entranced in the book that I wouldn’t get anything else accomplished. I believe that because of this, I have a unique perspective on editing manuscripts. I view the words and stories as a reader would, as opposed to how a writer would.
Q: How do I know if your services are the right fit for me?
A: I offer a 1,000-word sample edit (or a three-chapter edit for developmental edits and manuscript evaluations) so you can judge whether my services are what you are looking for. It also gives me an opportunity to evaluate your work and get a feel for what it needs.
Q: Do you provide manuscript assessments?
A: While they’re not officially “on the menu,” I do provide manuscript assessments upon request. If you feel like you need some guidance on structure, characters, plot, setting, dialogue, tropes, etc., send me an email at Meghan@literarypearlediting.com with a detailed description of what you’re looking for. Prices start at $300 for a 60,000-word manuscript.
Q: What error do you correct most often?
A: Commas. Definitely commas. I tend to go a little comma crazy when I edit, but I only make changes with Track Changes in Word or Suggestions in Google Docs in case my author doesn’t agree and wants to change it back. I’d say that my second-most corrected error would be run-on sentences.
Q: Coffee or tea?
A: Coffee, for sure. I do like tea occasionally though, especially cinnamon and blackberry (but not together) teas. Hot chocolate is a particular favorite of mine as a cold-weather treat as well.
Do you have any other questions for me? Please, ask away! Leave a comment or send me an email at Meghan@literarypearlediting.com
If you are ready to request a quote, please fill out an inquiry form by clicking here.