FAQ

Sometimes perspective is needed, spelling is wrong, or the message is unclear based on how a book or webpage is written.

For me, finding a glaring mistake or error in my content or books is like getting caught with a rip in my pants. It’s unflattering and distracting from what I’m trying to communicate. An editor/proofreader can help to catch those embarrassing mistakes that make you look unprofessional and untrustworthy.

An editor’s job is to make you look good. An editor’s job is to make sure your message is clear and impactful. And an editor’s job is to maintain your voice through it all.

And because it’s always worth having a second set of eyes on your work. Or even more!

(It delights me when authors tell me they’ve already had beta readers or others go over their book!)

I offer both varying degrees of book editing (developmental, copyediting, line editing, proofreading) as well as copyediting for website content.

See my editing services here!

The proofread is the final final step in the editing process. It’s where any lingering typos, incorrectly placed commas, and straggling errors are combed up like flyaway hairs on a slicked-back bun. Proofreading provides the finishing touches to make your story shine! It’s the final step before you hit send or publish.

Copyediting comes before the proofreading stage to clean up sentence structure, grammar, and verb tense issues, as well as errors that might be swept up during the proofreading stage. My copyediting services also come with light line editing to ensure a fluid flow of language to keep the reader engaged with your story.

Each book goes through many stages and many drafts to reach that final pinnacle of publication. This is the order I suggest:

Developmental Editing: For structure, character development, and story arc analysis. This is crucial to make sure your story works as a whole. No matter if you’ve written a book before, developmental editing catches plot holes and shallow characters.

Copyediting: A scrub of sentence structure, readability, grammar, verb tense, consistency issues, and activating passive language. Overall, copyediting improves readability and impact.

Proofreading: The final scrub after copyedits have been applied to catch any remaining errors in spelling, punctuation, minor grammar issues, typos, and other stragglers that make the reader stumble over your words.

I also have a resource guide on my blog on the varying editing stages and how to prepare your manuscript for the editing process.

Absolutely!

For books, I offer a sample edit of 1,000 words for a minimal fee.

I also offer a complimentary copyedit for an article up to 1,000 words for those interested in monthly retainers.

I want to make sure that we are a fit to work together just as much as you do. Sample edits allow me to see if I’m the best to help you and also to help you get acquainted with my editing style to see if the way I work is a fit for you too!

Once I get a feel for your writing and what to expect while editing your book, I’ll send over a free quote with an estimated time of delivery and the total cost of the services.

For book editing:

• Proofread: 3-4 weeks
• Copyedit: 4-6 weeks
• Developmental: 8-10 weeks

For a la carte copyedits with Proof & Polish: Within the business week.

An ETA is delivered via email once a service has been ordered/requested.

If you’re a monthly retainer client, you can expect to get your edited content back within two business days.

If it’s a Proof & Polish piece (blog, article, web page), within a week or two.

If it’s a book, submit an application to get on my schedule.

For copyediting work needed in less than three days, there’s a 15% rush fee added to your invoice if you are not a retainer client.

For book editing:

1. Fill out the book submission form here so I can get to know you and your book.
2. We schedule a call to discuss your book, your goals, and what type of edit you need. This can also be done over email if you prefer.
3. An agreement is sent with terms for our work together.
4. Work begins once the down payment is made via PayPal.
5. I do an initial read-through where I flag places for edits, comments, or suggestions.
   Following the first read-through, I’ll send you an email with any questions I have about your manuscript.
6. Then, I do the second copyediting scrub with Track Changes on in Microsoft Word (and add GIFs for entertainment and to make the edits less scary). Any remaining Qs are sent to catch any remaining inconsistencies or questions that arise.
7. A final polish is done from my flagged points and inconsistencies marked, running through a checklist to catch common errors.
   Then your manuscript is sent back to you with all of my feedback!
8. If you so choose, we can hop on a call after your edit is complete to go over any questions you have about my edits and suggestions.
   
   (Basically, you get three pass-throughs of your book!)

For copyediting:

1. You purchase a Proof & Polish here and email your file to mikael {at} theintuitiveeditor {dot} com, either as a Google Doc or Word Doc.
2. Copyedits are done with track changes on, either in Google Docs or Word. The file is returned to you for your review within the week (48-72 hour guarantee for retainer clients).
3. Should you require any changes or updates to the text or from my suggestions to the edits, email me what you’d like changed in the final proof.
4. I make the changes to the text and I return a sparkly clean final copy so you can paste it wherever you need without issue!

For book editing and monthly editing retainers, a simple agreement is sent for your review and virtual signature.

For one-off copyediting projects, no contract is required since payment is made upfront.

You can find my path of how editing emerged as one of my most coveted skills in every job I’ve had here. That post is basically a story-form CV.

The Intuitive Editor’s copyediting and proofreading experience spans 15 years and several industries—from IT & cybersecurity, health & fitness, TV news, sports media, nonprofit, business, arts, literature, and more.

As for books, I’ve been polishing up manuscripts since 2017 for The Bookish Fox, another boutique editing and coaching firm—that’s where I truly fell in love with book editing. If I’m not the best fit to help you, they are the first place I’ll send you!

Plus, I have a BA in English from the University of Utah, with an emphasis on creative writing and Victorian literature. Improving writing has always been a passion of mine, and it’d be my honor and pleasure to help you polish yours.

It is hard to pick favorites since I love editing so much—but that means I’ll enjoy the process with whatever is in front of me. Feel free to drop me a message if you’d like a consult! 

For fiction books, my preferred genres are fantasy, sci-fi, suspense/horror, and adventure—especially if they fall in the YA or MG category (Young Adult or Middle Grade) since I have a soft spot for books designated for youth.

For nonfiction books, my most successful edits so far have been in the memoir vein, and I’m also keen on assisting with personal/spiritual development books as well.

When it comes to content, I’m most familiar with topics in the following categories: spirituality, astrology/human design, health & nutrition, fitness, cybersecurity & IT, and writing & creativity.

In terms of writing styles, I’m well-versed in AP (mostly used in news reporting) and the Chicago Manual of Style (standard for book publishing).

Be aware that I’ve edited just about everything under the sun, from both non-fiction and fiction books, magazines, website content, news articles and broadcast scripts, resumes and cover letters, pitch packages for film and TV, business brochures and marketing emails, sports guides, and tons more. I’ve been proofreading and editing for my entire professional career (that’s 15+ years) in some capacity, so I am more than prepared to handle just about anything. I’m open

I know the editing process can be intimidating and scary, but I want to show you how it can be constructive in a fun, kind-hearted way. I’m not here to bash your book or to discourage you from writing. I want to help show you that your voice and your story matters and that it can and will find its audience.

I’m an editor who will tell you what’s working and what isn’t. I’ll gush about what I loved in your book, while also being kind and clear about what needs work. If something is incorrect or incorrectly used, I’ll flag it and explain why it should be fixed while also offering suggestions.

I want your book to be the best it can be, just as I hope you do, too.

I’m also the type of editor who will likely drop a GIF or two in the comments if something you write reminds me of a movie reference—just for fun.

I hope when you work with me, you feel comfortable, safe, encouraged, and inspired to make your book even better than you may have expected.

Let’s do this.

I believe we all have access to our intuition in some way or form. And I believe that our intuition is intrinsically connected to our creativity. It’s a very personal connection and process!

Through working in writing and editing capacities, I’ve found that my intuition guides me quite a bit in my work. It became clear that I couldn’t write or edit without relying on my hunches and instincts… What wants to pour through me. I trust my feelings to guide my work through and through, and the feedback I’ve gotten has always been highly complimentary.

My hope is that through combining my love for editing and trusting my intuition that you will be inspired to rely on your own intuition, creative capacities, and to pursue what you love most. To know that you innately have creative genius and innate intuition ready to guide you. And I’m here to help you get that second set of eyes and intuitive hunches on your work when you’re getting ready to send it out or hit publish.

It depends on the type of edit and the length of the project.

My editorial rates, particularly for books, are based on the length of the project by word count and also what kind of edit is required. Each project is customized to the manuscript in question, so the rates may be adjustable based on the state of the manuscript.

Here is my breakdown of starting rates per book edit: 

$.013/word – Proofread
$.023/word – Copyedit
$.030/word – Line Edit
$.030/word – Copyedit + Proofread
$.035/word  –  Developmental Edit
$.004/word – Manuscript Review

These are in line with the average rates outlined by the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA).

My signature copyediting package for web content, Proof & Polish, is $66 to start, and the rate increases with word counts of more than 2,000 words.

Monthly retainers are available in three different tiers, starting at $1,000 and up. Create a custom monthly retainer with me by applying today!

I accept debit or credit cards for payment through PayPal.

If this is an issue, let me know, and we can work out another arrangement.

For book editing projects, payment plans are available and are customizable based on the word count and type of edit for your manuscript. A deposit is required to begin work on your book and final payment is due prior to the delivery of the edited manuscript.

No payment plans are available for Proof & Polish, Monthly Editing Retainers, or intuitive services. Payment is due upfront for Proof & Polish. Monthly retainers are due on the first/selected recurring date each month.