2019 Prices
Proofreading starts at .0075 a word
Proofreading is done on a final draft and includes line-by-line correction of spelling and grammar. Each proofread receives only one pass before being sent back to the author. This package does not include second edit after author reviews changes. It is extremely rare that I accept a manuscript for proofread only, and almost never for new clients. If manuscript has been copy edited by a reputable editor, I will consider it.
Package fees are baseline fees. Please be aware that books that need excessive editing outside of the package picked may lead to extra fees. The fees will be discussed with the author before any work is done.
Anything under 20,000 words is automatically $150 (or above).
Detailed Copy Editing starts at .0085 a word
Copy Editing is done on a final draft and includes detailed, line-by-line editing for sentence structure, grammar, spelling, and, if needed, other issues that do not require major changes, such as plot consistency, character analysis, and style. Each detailed copy edit receives at least two passes before being sent back to the author. This package does not include second edit after author reviews changes.
Package fees are baseline fees. Please be aware that books that need excessive editing outside of the package picked may lead to extra fees. The fees will be discussed with the author before any work is done.
Anything under 20,000 words is automatically $170 (or above).
Detailed Copy Editing & Proofread Package starts at .01 a word
(Recommended)
This is the package I recommend most for every author, as well as my best-selling and best-value package. It also includes a free blurb edit ($50 value). The Detailed Copy Editing and Proofread Package combines both services. This package has two different steps. First, Detailed Copy Editing will be done to a manuscript and sent back to the author. The author will then make all the changes they need to based on offered suggestions. Once the author has finished this stage and sent it back, a thorough Proofread will be done on the finished product. Please refer to the above explanations for each service to see what they entail. This is the most cost-effective package if you desire both a detailed copy edit as well as a final proofread after suggested changes have been made. This package gives the most-polished end product. It is the author’s responsibility to supply the blurb at the time of the edit.
Package fees are baseline fees. Please be aware that books that need excessive editing outside of the package picked may lead to extra fees. The fees will be discussed with the author before any work is done.
Anything under 20,000 words is automatically $200 (or above).
Total Manuscript Tense and POV Change
First person present to third person past. Third person past to first person present. Price quotes available on request.
$50 for Blurb Editing & Critique
Need help making your blurb great? Need a fresh pair of eyes to check for errors and readability? This is your option. This is a flat-rate service with a five-day turnaround. (plus $2.50 processing)
$50 Flat Rate for Small Jobs
Almost anything under 5,000 words, such as query letters, expanded synopses, and chapter samples. (plus $3.00 processing)
Press Releases, Expanded Synopses, Chapter Samples, Website Material, Articles, and any other Non-Fiction Works over 5,000 Words – (I do not edit non-fiction books)
Price will need to be discussed on an as-needed basis.
Facebook Groups PA Service and Review Wrangler Service: (LIMITED AVAILABILITY)
Want your books posted in the multitude of book groups on Facebook, but don’t have the time to do it? I am a member of over 115+ Facebook book groups, and adding more every day. These range from Kindle Unlimited to Erotica to Dystopian to Romance to Reviews and everything in between.
$30 : ONCE A MONTH/No review Wrangling: I will post your preferred promotional material in at least 25 relevant book groups once a month (25 posts). 3 and 6-month packages available. Includes multiple promotional posts on Editing Services by Cynthia Shepp’s Facebook and Twitter.
$150 : 75 POSTS A MONTH WITH REVIEW WRANGLING: I will post your preferred promotional material in at least 25 relevant book groups, number of posts spread throughout the month (75 posts) as well as coordinate any review copies/reviewers if review seeking is your goal from group promotion–which includes seeking reviewers, communication with reviewers, and follow-ups to attempt to get them to remember to post their reviews. 3 and 6-month packages available. Includes multiple promotional posts on Editing Services by Cynthia Shepp’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. BEST PACKAGE!
Prices listed are limited-time promo prices while service is new and getting adjusted. Subject to change.
Blog Post and Newsletter Editing
Price will need to be discussed on an as-needed basis. Monthly prices available based on number sent out.
*PayPal fees are calculated and added to final bill.* http://thefeecalculator.com/ .
2019 UPDATES
SCHEDULED spots per month are limited. Once they are booked, no others will be accepted until the next opening. A $52.50 fee will be charged at time of scheduling to book a spot. If slots are cancelled or submissions are late, the fee will not be refunded. If scheduled date is met, fees will be subtracted from final invoice. Fees pertaining to missed scheduling dates will be strictly enforced.
MANUSCRIPTS must be submitted in Times New Roman, size 11 font, and 1 1/2 spaced. If they are not, I will change them. It makes the editing process cleaner and easier.
I DO NOT edit non-fiction books. However, I will edit non-fiction articles, website material, press releases, and other such subject matter. I am also not familiar with UK grammar. I will edit UK books, but only if they are being completely Americanized. If you want to keep some UK tone, (colour instead of color, sayings, etc) that is fine. You just have to make sure to tell me. However, any and all grammar related issues that I do recognize will be Americanized.
GRAPHIC and/or gratuitous RAPE scenes are not accepted. Books containing them are subject to IMMEDIATE return without refund or completion.
HOWEVER, books that contain rape are not an automatic no. A girl trying to get over being raped, a fade-to-black rape scene that is integral to the story, a book about rape that inspires hope in victims, a crime book that manages to impress the violence without making it graphic and pleasingly sexual, etc… would all be considered and most likely accepted. Please just explain the scenes to me beforehand.
Erotica books that use rape as something pleasingly sexual, or any book that does, or any book that describes rape in graphic, violent, sexual, scene-by-scene detail, will NOT be accepted. If in a book I accepted without my prior knowledge, it will be returned with NO REFUND OR COMPLETION. (Rape Clause Added October 20, 2015)
AUTHORS are responsible for getting their books to me by the date agreed upon. Scheduled submissions that miss their scheduled date and wish to stay on the schedule will be charged an additional late fee (starting at) $52.50 and will be rescheduled to the next available slot. Late or cancelled submissions that have occurred three or more times will no longer be accepted.
RUSH JOBS, which I rarely take and usually only from established clients, will incur a fee. It will depend on length of the manuscript and amount of time given to finish. The base amount of a rush is $150, and it goes up from there. Any submission with less than an eight-week completion date will be considered a rush with a rush fee depending on the amount of time given to complete. The less amount of time given to complete the edit, the higher the rush fee.
Rush jobs are hard on me, so while I do not mind occasionally taking them, please respect the amount of pressure it puts on me and not make a habit out of it. I do understand there are times when there are no other choices and life happened, but always try to schedule in advance.
PLEASE be aware that books that need excessive editing outside of the package picked may lead to extra fees. Submissions turned in that do not meet approved price-based sampled standards will be returned to authors to have them brought up to standards, or they will be charged a fee of up to 20% of invoice to be brought to standards by the editor.
Manuscripts are only taken at packages they are ready for. If authors request a proof or detailed copy edit only, it must be in a condition that will assure a quality final product.
My name is my brand. Please understand finalized products attached to my brand reflect on my services.
FACT-CHECKING is not included in any package. As a courtesy, if I notice anything that does not sound right, I will look it up and point it out. However, if your book has excessive fact-checking that needs to be completed, it should be addressed during the developmental editing stage, which I am not responsible for.
PAYMENT is accepted up front, with the scheduling fee of $52.50 invoiced on day submission is scheduled. When submission is received on or before the scheduled date, an invoice will be sent through PayPal. No work will be done until invoice is paid in full. PayPal fees are calculated and added to final bill. If slots are cancelled or submissions are late, the scheduling fee will not be refunded. If scheduled date is met, fees will be subtracted from final invoice. Fees pertaining to missed scheduling dates will be strictly enforced.
Editing is not a hobby; it is my livelihood. Cancellations leave me without the paycheck I counted on when the author reserved a time slot, and last-minute cancellations are hard to fill. Please be courteous and respect my time as I make every attempt to do yours as well.
HOLIDAYS, holiday weekends, and vacation days DO NOT count toward the estimated amount of time given to edit your manuscript. Those times are spent with my family. We always take a vacation during the week of Thanksgiving, a week at the end of March, a week in the summer—usually in July—and I take a week off at Christmas—usually December 20-27th. Please be respectful of those times. If any of those fall during your time period, please be aware of this.
Example: If you are given a time period which includes December 20-27, please be aware you will need to add an additional 7 days to completion time for a total of 63 days.
I no longer work on weekends unless it is an emergency. I have to have at least one to two days a week off. Please remember this is now factored into scheduling. (see above [¹] )
Times given are estimates unless completely firmed up with me by way of a preorder publication date. Two-week turnarounds on copy edits are no longer automatically given. Submissions are given six week turnarounds [¹] unless approved by the editor in advance. Several manuscripts are in my hands at all times. I work for multiple publishing companies as well as freelance.
Manuscripts are given my complete attention and are turned over in as timely a manner as possible. Sometimes, life happens and a manuscript may be delayed, though never more than a couple of days. Please be patient. This rarely happens. Also, I am a night owl. If a book is due to client on (example) the 26th, any time before is 5AM on the 27th is considered on time.
***I am NOT a developmental editor. I am a final-draft editor. If you are a FIRST-TIME AUTHOR who needs extensive help with plot, character development, and flow, I would recommend you hire a developmental editor to work with you through the different stages of pre-editing before you contact me.***
I reserve the right to refuse any and all manuscripts at my discretion. I also employ a contributing freelance editor who does occasional copy OR proof for me. Every manuscript, however, makes it way through me for first and final edits.
Contact Details:
To contact me about availability, questions, or to submit your manuscript, please email me at cynthiashepp@yahoo.com. Please be aware that my schedule fills up quickly. A 4-6 week pre-schedule and manuscript acceptance procedure is necessary to guarantee a spot.
However, do not hesitate to contact me about sooner availability. It is always possible that I have open spots.
(No Refunds… No Exceptions.)
I always recommend that authors send the manuscript to betas after editing. No manuscript will ever be 100% perfect. Betas can help find those stray errors before publication. They are a valuable asset. I have three beta proofers who occasionally do third-glance proofreads for me, but only after initial edits and proofreads are already done. They are more of a second-set-of-eyes part of the process. If, for any reason, you do not want this extra (Free to the author–I pay for it.) addition, please let me know. I just like to make sure manuscripts are given the best treatment. One more set of eyes never hurts; it can only help.
I continuously update my Terms and Conditions. It is the client’s responsibility to occasionally glance at them to see if anything has changed.
Fresh from college and with no real work experience, Victoria Westernly considers herself lucky to land the coveted position of personal assistant to Darien Ritter, the CEO and owner of a multibillion-dollar company. His busy schedule and eccentric ways are enough to keep her on her toes. But, all is not what it seems when she discovers the handsome man employing her just happens to be the most powerful vampire in the area.
When 17-year-old Dharma Moore moves to Bayou country so her scam-artist mother can work as a Paranormal Investigator, she discovers that more than ghosts haunt the abandoned plantation they now call home. Centuries ago, a voodoo curse was placed on the swamp waters surrounding the old plantation by a murdered slave. This terrible curse ensnares Dharma with its deadly effects. To save herself, she must face the terror of the haunted waters, find the dead woman’s skull, and convince the slave’s soul to release her from its torments. When Dharma discovers an ancient secret that links her to the property – a secret kept from her by her own family – she realizes that the curse is more personal to her than she ever imagined. To survive, Dharma must accept the help of the locals, and put her trust in the handsome gardener, Wolf Bodine – who is the only one crazy enough to come near the plantation. With his help, Dharma must learn to embrace the truth and accept that magic is not only real…but that it can be very, very deadly!
His father’s kingdom is on the brink of upheaval and at the center of it all is an ordinary girl who could be the key to its undoing. When faced with the ultimate choice, will he choose the girl he’s falling in love with or the kingdom he has sworn to protect?
When Beth Michaels hightailed it out of the hole-in-the-road town she grew up in, she only had two goals. One – get as far away as quickly as possible, and two -never set foot in her parent’s home again. But when she receives a heart breaking call from her childhood best friend, Jen, she has no choice but to turn her ’56 Ford pickup back in the direction of Salem, Missouri to attend a funeral.
Rosa never thought she’d make it to 16…. 
Editing Services 
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