If you aren’t sure what type of editing you need, send me a message or schedule a free call to talk about it!

In the meantime, 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 correcting mechanical errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, word choice, and usage, you need copy editing.

Whether you are self-publishing or preparing a manuscript to query agents or traditional publishers, editing and reading are 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 copy editing, in case revisions are needed.

4. Copy editing should happen toward the end of the process, after the structure is set, to catch mechanical errors and anything else that may have slipped through.

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.

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

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

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 are available, with a 10% discount for each service 
(10% for two, 20% 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 and/or final reports 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 and/or final reports are returned.

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

1. After you’ve contacted me to inquire about a service, I’ll ask you some questions to try to understand your needs. Then, I’ll perform a sample edit if requested, and I’ll send you my timeline and rate for your individual project.

2. Once you’ve agreed to my proposal, I’ll draft up a contract. This ensures that we both understand which services are and are not being provided. You’ll receive an invoice and payment link for the first 50% of the project total. My work cannot commence until both the contract and first payment are received.

3. Then, I’ll get to work! Whatever our agreed timeline, I’ll check in with you at the halfway point—or weekly, if requested.

4. On our before our agreed deadline, I’ll contact you to let you know that my work is complete, and I’ll send an invoice and payment link for the remaining 50% of the project total.

5. Once the final payment has been received, I will send you an email with your edited documents and/or my written reports.

6. For copy editing, I’ll send one version with edits visible and one with edits accepted (a ‘clean copy’).

7. If you’ve purchased developmental editing, this is the time when we can schedule our final 45-minute conversation, if desired.

8. If you’ve purchased developmental editing or copy editing, you can then review my edits and comments, make changes, and send it back to me and I will review those changes one final time.

When you trust me to be your editor, I honor that trust by communicating clearly and directly and with kindness and compassion.

My approach is conversational, and collabrative. My goal is to help you express your authentic voice so that you can confidently share your writing with the world.

To that end, I act as an advocate for your reader to ensure that your words are clear without any confusion or distraction—but always with an eye to preserving your unique voice.

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

I volunteered as an editor at school and university, and in the 15 years between my first job and when I completed my copyediting education, I found myself drawn to the duties of an editor, despite that not being my job title. In this time, 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 with 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 everything from novels, to websites, to memoirs, and to newsletters.