Services.
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If you think of a piece of writing as a completed puzzle, developmental editing evaluates how all of the pieces of the puzzle fit together.
Developmental editing is an in-depth evaluation of elements like voice, style, flow, organization, pacing, consistency, and readability.
Developmental editing includes:
2 read-throughs of your partial or completed work, with on-page comments;
for longer narrative works, a chart outlining character, timeline, and setting descriptions;
an in-depth written evaluation, summarizing my recommendations;
if desired, the written evaluation can be discussed in a 45-minute phone or video call.
If your manuscript is still in its beginning stages, I can help identify its trajectory and highlight specific points on which to focus as you move forward with your writing.
1.4¢ per word
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Line editing is a careful, line-by-line evaluation of your writing, with a focus on how your ideas are expressed. The result is a document that conveys fully-formed concepts with clarity and concision.
Line editing includes:
2 rounds of thorough review;
a line-by-line assessment of your writing for elements like word choice, sentence structure, flow, vague or unclear text, subtle repetition, consistency, and minor issues of organization;
a summary of comments;
a style sheet.
This level of editing is recommended for any document that could benefit from clear, precise language.
1.2¢ per word
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A copy edit includes corrections to errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. I will also correct your document for jargon, repetition, and clear language.
Beyond this, the depth of copy edit varies from client to client, and may include corrections for adherence to a style guide; suggestions related to word choice, continuity, and consistency; the review of headings, graphs, tables, citations, and/or captions; light fact checking; and the flagging of potential legal liability.
Copy editing includes:
2 rounds of review;
a summary of comments;
a style sheet.
For fiction, style sheets include character names and descriptions, place names and descriptions, key plot points, and any words or terms that are unique to your story.
Starting at 1¢ per word
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As a beta reader, I will evaluate your manuscript from the perspective of your target reader to give you insight into your reader’s experience of your story.
A beta read includes:
1 read through of your novel or manuscript;
a 3-to-4 page written evaluation summarizing:
your novel’s strengths;
areas for improvement, typically related to plot, characterization, and pacing.
beginning at $100 up to 50,000 words
beginning at €70 up to 50,000 words -
A Historical Authenticity Evaluation assesses your story for the details that create an immersive experience for your reader. From the small particulars of daily life to larger historical events, this evaluation ensures that nothing will break the spell of your story.
I evaluate stories set in the Ancient Mediterranean and in Europe through the Renaissance.
Includes:
1 read through;
on-page comments;
a written summary of my observations and suggestions.
1.1¢ per word
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Sensitivity readers evaluate a text for the ways it represents an identity or experience that falls outside of the author’s own experience. This can ensure that the text does not misrepresent a population, perpetuate harmful stereotypes, or contain otherwise offensive material.
Identities/content focus for which I read:
invisible disability and chronic illness; childhood chronic illness; chronic pain;
neurodivergence, female; especially late diagnosed;
mental health and illness;
immigrant and expatriate experience in the Netherlands and Europe; the United States emigrant experience;
motherhood, especially in combination with the above identities;
feminism.
An authenticity read includes:
1 read through with on-page comments;
a written evaluation of my impressions and suggestions.
If I feel I am not the best reader for your project, I will direct you to readers who may be a better fit.
beginning at $100 up to 50,000 words
beginning at €70 up to 50,000 words
Have questions? Check out the FAQ, or email me at rachel@authenticselfeditorial.com.
Free sample edits available!
For a free sample edit and project estimate, fill out this form, or send a description of your project and your editing needs to rachel@authenticselfeditorial.com. I will respond within 2 business days.
Prefer to communicate via email?
All manuscripts received will be kept entirely confidential, will not be shared with another party, and will only be used for providing a sample edit and/or project estimate.
For a real-time discussion, vibe check, or human-verification, schedule a free introductory call below.
Prefer to talk live via phone or video?
FAQ
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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:
Generally, developmental editing can be helpful at the beginning of the project.
Historical authenticity and sensitivity reading are helpful after self-editing, but before your project is sent to beta readers.
Beta reading is helpful after self-editing is complete, but before more rigorous forms of editing, in case revisions are needed.
Line editing helps refine wording after the story’s structure is set.
Copy editing should happen toward the end of the process, to catch mechanical errors and anything else that may have slipped through.
Your manuscript will then need to be formatted for publication, depending on the medium.
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Fiction, particularly historical fiction, romance, erotica, literary fiction (especially weird girl lit), (cozy) mystery, and detective/crime.
Non-fiction, including academia, history, food and cooking, crafts and hobbies, travel, popular science, social science, and true crime.
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Any and all: books, novels, manuscripts, blogs, thesis statements, newsletters, websites, etc.
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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.
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I am set up to work with clients from throughout the English-speaking world, including the EU, USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.