Editing is split into two camps: Professional Editing with me (check out the Editing Packages below) and Self-Editing in which I include tips, tools, and ideas that will help you to edit your own manuscript.
Professional Editing with Kathy
I adore books and am passionate about reading — it’s why I want your book to be at its very best. When my love for story is united with my memory for details and events along with my knowledge of language, sentence structure, grammar, punctuation and more, you will find me an extremely qualified editor who would love to collaborate with you in ensuring your manuscript is truly ready for publication.
Writers amaze me with their ability to move me to tears and laughter, to make me believe in the world they have created. I want to support you in ensuring your story will affect your readers into talking about your book. At KD Did It, I offer a variety of editing packages intended to work with your budget and polish and strengthen your manuscript while retaining your style and voice.
My goal is to help you, the author, look professional. Considering how very permanent a publication is — yes, especially the digital editions — you want to publish the very best version of your book as possible. You only have one reputation, and it’s worth taking the time to ensure that your book is looking its best!
My Knowledge Base
In the technical arena, I am widely read with a fascination for gadgets and tools. I have a high comfort level with technical terms in a number of industries from adits to speed squares to DIV tags to amalgam to…and I am always eager to learn more!
My expertise in fictional genres includes history, mysteries, romances, suspense, science fiction, urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and general fiction.
Editing Packages
Discover more about the different types of editing available from content editing, line-editing, copyediting to proofreading on the FAQs page.
Meanwhile, the editing packages available include Proof It, Basic I, Basic II, Extensive, Developmental, and Critique. For information on making payments, see How to Pay.
Proof It is strictly cold proofreading, one round of examining your manuscript in a final look for errors before it is published. Basic I is one round of a combination of proofreading and copyediting. Basic II is Basic I + a comparison proofread in which I compare the final manuscript version with the typeset copy. Extensive is two rounds of editing: an intensive developmental edit and a copyedit; there is no proofreading. The Developmental is as many rounds of full, professional editing as you and your manuscript needs with a final round of comparison editing of the final manuscript version with the typeset copy.
Proof It
One round of proofreading = $0.008 per word *
Request a sample edit of your work.
Proof It is strictly proofreading and is the last chance for a manuscript to be examined for errors before publishing. It is concerned with the mechanics and appearance of the final text.
KD Did It will:
Remove extra spaces between words and at start-of and end-of-line breaks
Clean up doubles of periods, commas ++
Ensure consistency in letter, sentence, and paragraph spacing
Ensure consistency with editorial or house style
Ensure proper styling for caps, italics, foreign words, titles, numbers, and more
Ensure consistency in spelling, hyphenation, numerals, fonts, and capitalization
Fix grammatical errors including misuse of tense, missing words such as prepositions and articles ++
Correct misspelled or incorrectly used words, i.e., can for may or the confusion between as and like
Clean up egregious punctuation errors or confusions
Ensure proper usage of double and single quotation marks
Verify that the numbers for pages, tables, and figures are accurate and in consecutive order
Verify that hyperlinks are properly formatted per their usage in the text and are properly linked
Examine for deviations from specifications
Ensure the arithmetic is correct
Check for factual errors
As part of this package, KD Did It will not:
Edit your changes in response to this round of editing. Any errors included in the manuscript after you have accepted or rejected the editor’s changes will remain in the finished manuscript and are not the responsibility of the editor.
Proofread the typeset copy for any remaining errors or inconsistencies
Change word choices, unless the word is in error
Look for word or phrase problems such as clichés, modifiers, words or phrases used too often, unnecessary words, mixed metaphors, and any other non-standard grammar
Include developmental suggestions
Secure any necessary permissions for reprinted material including, but not limited to: song lyrics, graphics, poetry, newspaper articles, or text
Catch loose threads
Ensure paragraph flow
Resolve dialog issues
Rearrange or rewrite sentences or sections of text nor restructure bloated sentences or paragraphs
Ensure layout usability
Ensure proper word use for the genre audience
Assess SEO for hyperlinks
Clean up passive voice
Proofreading Process Works
A start-date for proofreading will be determined (available openings in my schedule fluctuate) pending my receiving your manuscript and the 25% deposit clearing. Once a start-date is set, the manuscript will be copyedited within four weeks. I use Microsoft Word and its Track Changes tool, so you will see the edits, deletions, and comments on the uploaded manuscript. It is your choice whether you accept or reject those changes. For manuscripts which exceed 100,000 words, more proofreading time may be required.
Basic I
One round of editing = $0.009 per word *
Request a sample edit of your work.
Basic I is copyediting (includes proofreading tasks).
KD Did It will:
Proofreading tasks:
Remove extra spaces between words and at start-of and end-of-line breaks
Clean up or note all punctuation errors or confusions
Clean up doubles of periods, commas ++
Ensure consistency in letter, sentence, and paragraph spacing
Ensure consistency with editorial or house style
Ensure proper styling for caps, italics, foreign words, titles, numbers, and more
Ensure consistency in spelling, hyphenation, numerals, fonts, and capitalization
Fix grammatical errors including misuse of tense, missing words such as prepositions and articles ++
Correct misspelled or incorrectly used words, i.e., can for may or the confusion between as and like
Ensure proper usage of double and single quotation marks
Verify that the numbers for pages, tables, and figures are accurate and in consecutive order
Verify that hyperlinks are properly formatted per their usage in the text, properly linked, and using SEO
Look for word or phrase problems (slang terms from the 1920s are not appropriate in Regency romances) such as clichés, modifiers, words or phrases used too often, unnecessary words, mixed metaphors, and any other non-standard grammar
Create a style sheet
Examine for deviations from specifications
Ensure the arithmetic is correct
Check for factual errors
Copyediting tasks:
Query consistency errors in fictional manuscripts:
- Characters’ appearance, actions, and their individual use of language
- Events
- Settings
- Plot continuity
Correct improper grammar usage
Ensure consistent use of language and the author’s voice
Enforce consistent style and tone in a multi-author manuscript
Change passive voice to active voice, if requested
Query author about conflicting statements; advice will be requested when the means of resolving a problem is unclear
Change text and headings to achieve parallel structure
Flag ambiguous or incorrect statements
Ensure that key terms are handled consistently and that vocabulary lists and the index contain all the terms that meet criteria specified by the publisher
Ensure that previews, summaries, and end-of-chapter questions reflect content
Typemark the manuscript, if requested
Record the first references to figures, tables, and other display elements
As part of this package, KD Did It will not:
Edit your changes in response to this round of editing. Any errors included in the manuscript after you have accepted or rejected the editor’s changes will remain in the finished manuscript and are not the responsibility of the editor.
Proofread the typeset copy for any remaining errors or inconsistencies
Change word choices, unless the word is in error
Include developmental suggestions
Secure any necessary permissions for reprinted material including, but not limited to: song lyrics, graphics, poetry, newspaper articles, or text
Catch loose threads
Restructure bloated sentences or paragraphs
Ensure paragraph flow or dialog issues
Rearrange or rewrite sentences or sections of text
Ensure layout usability
Ensure proper word use for the genre audience
Smooth transitions and move sentences to improve readability
Assign new levels to heads to achieve logical structure
Improve the flow of text
Suggest recasts rather than simply flagging problems
Enforce a uniform level, tone, and focus as specified by the publisher or developmental editor
Eliminate wordiness or triteness
How the Basic I Process Works
A start-date for copyediting will be determined (available openings in my schedule fluctuate) pending my receiving your manuscript and the 25% deposit clearing. Once a start-date is set, the manuscript will be copyedited within four weeks. I use Microsoft Word and its Track Changes tool, so you will see the edits, deletions, and comments on the uploaded manuscript. It is your choice whether you accept or reject those changes. For manuscripts which exceed 100,000 words, more editing time may be required.
Basic II
Two rounds of editing = $0.013 per word *, **
Request a sample edit of your work.
KD Did It will:
Round 1 is Basic I
Round 2 is comparison proofreading
It compares the typeset copy with the final version of the manuscript to ensure nothing was erroneously changed or left out of the typeset copy.
As part of this package, KD Did It will not:
In the 1st round, see what is not covered in a Basic I package.
In the 1st round, see what is not covered in a Proof It package.
How the Basic II Process Works
A start-date for copyediting will be determined (available openings in my schedule fluctuate) pending my receiving your manuscript and the 25% deposit clearing. Once a start-date is set, the manuscript will be copyedited within four weeks. I use Microsoft Word and its Track Changes tool, so you will see the edits, deletions, and comments on the uploaded manuscript. It is your choice whether you accept or reject those changes. For manuscripts which exceed 100,000 words, more editing time may be required.
When you have a typeset version, I will proofread it and provide you with a list of suggested revisions within two weeks.
** If your manuscript has undergone significant changes once it has been typeset, due to either errors introduced by you after the first round or because you forgot to use track changes, additional fees may apply.
Extensive Edit
Two rounds of editing = $0.02 per word *, ***
Request a sample edit of your work.
KD Did It will:
Round 1 is a developmental edit:
Basic I +
Ensure that the structure of the manuscript, letter, report, essay, technical document suits its purpose
Assess problems with the structure of the manuscript
Ensure consistency in the writing style
Re-work awkward or unrealistic dialog
Note and make suggestions regarding inconsistencies and/or weaknesses in the plot or theme of the story
Ensure that plot events are plausible
Look for issues with weak or inconsistent characters
Ensure that the pacing suits the story or scene
Rewrite sentences, paragraphs, possibly whole sections to remove bloat and ensure a clear, logical flow and improve readability
Suggest different word choices
Ensure proper word use for the genre audience
Catch loose threads
Ensure layout usability
Enforce a uniform level, tone, and focus as specified by the publisher or author
Eliminate wordiness or triteness
Conduct email correspondence following the first round of editing to answer questions you may have regarding my suggestions
Round 2 is a copyedit:
Exchanges of emails regarding questions on your or my part until I return the manuscript after this second round
As part of this package, KD Did It will not:
Perform a third round of proofreading
Proofread the typeset copy for any remaining errors or inconsistencies
Secure any necessary permissions for reprinted material including, but not limited to: song lyrics, graphics, poetry, newspaper articles, or text
*** A higher fee may be charged for:
- Substantial rewriting
- Highly technical text, charts, figures, and/or captions
- Dialect
- Notes
How the Extensive Edit Process Works
A start-date for editing will be determined (available openings in my schedule fluctuate) pending my receiving your manuscript and the 25% deposit clearing. Once a start-date is set, the manuscript will be copyedited within four weeks. I use Microsoft Word and its Track Changes tool, so you will see the edits, deletions, and comments on the uploaded manuscript. It is your choice whether you accept or reject those changes. For manuscripts which exceed 100,000 words, more editing time may be required.
After you review the edited manuscript and address any queries or suggestions whether in the comments or through emails, you will mail the manuscript to me for the second round of editing. I will have the final revisions within two weeks. Once I return your manuscript the second time, we’re done.
** If your manuscript has undergone significant changes once it has been typeset, due to either errors introduced by you after the first round or because you forgot to use track changes, additional fees may apply.
Developmental Edit
Unlimited rounds of editing = $35 per hour
Request a sample edit of your work.
KD Did It will:
We work together intensely with the manuscript, sending the manuscript and questions back and forth via email until you are ready to publish.
The editing tasks are the same as for the first round of the Extensive Edit package.
When you are ready to publish, I will do a final comparison proofread for $0.008 per word instead of the hourly rate of the final version of the manuscript against the typeset copy to ensure nothing was erroneously changed or left out of the typeset copy.
As part of this package, KD Did It will not:
Perform a second round of proofreading
Secure the necessary permissions
How the Developmental Edit Process Works
An initial free consultation via email or telephone will explore your thoughts and concerns about your book and where the focus is intended to be. Once a start-date for editing is determined (available openings in my schedule fluctuate), pending my receiving your manuscript and the $700 deposit clearing, I will do an initial read of your manuscript and send you an assessment of concerns about the book within four weeks using a combination of comments via Microsoft Word’s Track Changes tool and suggestions and queries.
Once our give-and-take begins, the time required to edit your manuscript will depend on the breadth and depth of the issues involved; the time you need to assess the edits and comments, accept or reject them, and rewrite sections of your manuscript; and, my schedule. This process will continue until you are satisfied.
Once the first twenty hours covered by the initial deposit has passed, I will bill you for the time spent on your project on a weekly basis.
When your manuscript is typeset, I will have the final revisions within two weeks of receiving it.
Book Critiques
$475 for a book up to 350-pages long
Request a sample critique of your work.
A critique is similar to a review, except it’s aimed at the author — and not the reader.
Review-Based Critiques
If I’m sent a book by an author/publisher/agent of the author and I feel it merits a negative-sounding 3 or less (on a scale of 1–5), I give a general idea of what I feel the book’s problems are with some examples to the author; a review is not posted.
True Critique
An in-depth critique more closely approaches a developmental edit in that it looks at clichéd tropes; character weaknesses and strengths; implausible events and weaknesses within the plot; pacing or theme issues; inconsistencies within the story, its characters, the point-of-view, or the tone; notes on illogical flows; language analysis which includes historical accuracy — there is no way the phrase, “a dime a dozen”, was ever used in the Regency period; and, so much more. Examples of free critiques can be found on the Editing Samples page while the cost for an in-depth critique can be found in Editing with KD Did It.
No changes are made to your manuscript.
KD Did It will:
Write up a report noting clichéd tropes; character issues; implausible events within the plot; inconsistencies within the story, its characters, the point-of-view, or the tone; notes on illogical flows; language analysis which includes historical accuracy — the phrase, “a dime a dozen”, was never used in the Regency period; and, mechanical issues such as spelling, punctuation, grammar, and formatting.
As part of this package, KD Did It will not:
Copyedit, proofread, or perform in-depth developmental editing
Provide a detailed list of each and every mechanical issue or the location of each error
How the Critique Process Works
A date for reading and assessing your manuscript will be determined (available openings in my schedule fluctuate) pending my receiving your manuscript and the 25% deposit clearing. I will read your manuscript and write a critique within four weeks. As I am not editing, any errors will be summarized with some examples to demonstrate why it’s a problem. It is your choice whether you accept or reject those changes. For manuscripts which exceed 100,000 words, more reading and assessing time may be required. The report will be sent to you in the same manner in which the manuscript was sent and at your expense. Click to view a sample of a critique.
* Hardcopy manuscripts should be double-spaced with 1″ margins using Times New Roman in a 12-pt font. The project fee will be determined by the number of pages and assume a word count of 250 words per page, i.e., 250 words-per-page X #-of-pages = project fee. Manuscripts sent that don’t conform to these specs will be returned at your expense.
Other Project Fees
Rush Fees
| Additional fee which may be assessed if the project requires additional hours worked during nights, weekends, or holidays | + 50% | On an hourly-paid project The percentage is applied to those hours worked outside normal office hours Of the fee-paid project |
Cancellation Fees
| If, for any reason, the project is canceled after it has been started, you will be billed immediately on the basis of the hours/words/pages and effort expended and expenses incurred up to that point. | Depends on the project goal |
Mailing Fees
Mailing or shipping fees are paid for both ways by the author or organization. A signature upon receipt fee is required as part of the mailing fee when I am mailing the manuscript back to the interested party.
KD Did It will work with you.
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