If you aren’t sure what type of editing you need, we can talk about it.

Think about what you find most difficult when you write, what aspects of your project need support, and what stage your project is in.

• For big picture ideas and themes, developmental editing is best.

• For precise language and wording, you need line editing.

• For mechanical errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and usage, copy editing is what you’re looking for.

When self-publishing, editing is completed in a generally set order:

1. Developmental editing can be helpful at the beginning of the project, either while writing is still in progress, or after the framework of your manuscript in place but you’re still open to significant revision.

2. Historical authenticity and sensitivity reading are helpful after self-editing, but before your project is sent to beta readers.

3. Beta reading is helpful after self-editing is complete, but before more rigorous forms of editing, in case revisions are needed.

4. Line editing helps refine wording after the story’s structure is set.

5. Copy editing should happen toward the end of the process, to catch mechanical errors and anything else that may have slipped through.

6. Your manuscript will then need to be formatted for publication, depending on the medium.

Fiction, particularly historical fiction, romance, erotica, literary fiction (especially weird girl lit), (cozy) mystery, and detective/crime.

Non-fiction, including memoir and personal history, narrative non-fiction, academia, history, food and cooking, crafts and hobbies, travel, popular science, social science, and true crime.

Any and all: books, novels, manuscripts, blogs, thesis statements, newsletters, websites, etc.

I am a native speaker of American English and I edit works in the English language. I am well-versed in the minutiae of Global English.

I have also formally studied Spanish, French, Italian, German, and Dutch, and I am familiar with the language and communication patterns of English as a Foreign Language.

I am set up to work with clients from throughout the English-speaking world, including the EU, USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Following a dream can be expensive, and many ND folks face financial hardship. As such, my services are highly competitive with industry rates, per the Editorial Freelancers Association.

Rates are indicated below each service.

Services are priced per word in US Dollars unless otherwise noted. Rates for other currencies are based on the daily conversion rate.

Rates are exclusive of processing fees and/or VAT, as applicable.

Custom packages available, with a 10% discount for each service. 
(20% for two, 30% for three, etc.)

Services are payable in 2 installments: the first 50% upon signing the contract, before services commence, and the remaining 50% upon completion of services, before edited documents are returned.

Services are payable in 2 installments: the first 50% upon signing the contract, before services commence, and the remaining 50% upon completion of services, before edited documents are returned.

Timelines vary depending upon editor availability and the scope and depth of the work requested. For an exact estimate, send in your manuscript for a free sample edit via the contact page or email me at rachel@authenticselfediting.com.

I completed the Certificate in Copyediting through UC San Diego-Extended Studies in 2020, but my journey to editing didn’t start there.

• Books and reading have always been a core part of my identity. When I was 7 years old, my career goal was to read books for a living.

• Not long after, I found I could express myself more clearly and accurately in writing than I could when speaking, and began to experiment with different forms of writing, including poetry, journaling, and novel-length stories.

• I started refining the hard and soft skills of an editor early: in high school, I edited the novel-length manuscripts of multiple classmates, and began to get a sense of the editor-writer relationship.

• At university, I chose to study history, a writing-intensive major; at the time, history was the only department at UC Berkeley that required an undergraduate thesis. I received honors on my thesis, a work exploring the relationship between the Cult of Isis and Roman identity in 1st century CE Pannonia.

• I served as a volunteer peer editor at university, further honing the editor-writer relationship. I still serve as a volunteer scholarship essay reader.

• When I began working, I found myself drawn to the duties of an editor, despite that not being my job title. In the 15 years between my first job and when I completed my copyediting education, I conceptualized, wrote, edited, and formatted 12+ separate operations manuals, training guides, customer service scripts, and work flows.

• After I decided to pursue copy editing, I found a position as an acquisitions assistant for an independent publisher. This role gave me immense insight into what is required to publish a successful book. I still maintain a relationship with this publisher, 8 years later, and continue to work for them on their twice yearly book launch.

• In the 6 years since I completed the copyediting certificate, I have opened two businesses (Rachel Porter Editing and Authentic Self Editorial), and worked with numerous clients on novels, websites, bios, memoirs, and newsletters.