Frequently Asked Questions
WHY SHOULD I HIRE AN EDITOR, A WRITER OR A CONSULTANT/COACH?
The short answer is this: if you want a professional looking project, you need a professional to help you achieve it. Put your time into what you are gifted at, and hire The Strong Word for the rest.
ARE THERE DIFFERENT KINDS OF EDITING AND PROOFREADING?
Yes. You may be needing a developmental editor, a substantive editor, a line editor, a copyeditor, or a proofreader. (Sometimes these are collapsed into two levels referred to as macro editing or micro editing, or heavy copyediting or light copyediting. )
All these terms refer to different combinations of editorial skills and tasks. The Strong Word can guide you in identifying just which you need.
We also will make it clear that editing and proofreading are not the same thing. Proofreading is most typically done as the final check after material has been copy-edited and designed. Yes, you may find examples where line or copy editing is referred to as proofreading, but The Strong Word objects, and we're sticking to our guns on that one.
Photo / V. L. Hesterman
I PREFER PHONE CONSULTATIONS. CAN YOU ACCOMMODATE THAT?
The Strong Word tries to keep clients' costs low; e-mail is a good way to do that. However, if you prefer to consult by phone, the first 15 minutes is free.
IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WON’T WORK ON?
The Strong Word does not do desktop publishing, indexing, or transcribing.
Also, we prefer not to work on nonfiction or fiction categorized as New Age, Pagan or neo-Pagan, occultic, or excessively dark. We are not a good candidate for politically Progressive material, or vitriolic screeds of any persuasion. And, our knowledge of science is pretty basic
ABOUT FEES
There is no one-fee-fits-all. Every project is different. The Strong Word's rates are competitive and negotiable. For a ballpark sense of typical fees, see the Editorial Freelancers Association's list of common rates. Coaching and consulting are separate considerations.
Things to Note
• Fees may be charged by the project, the hour, the word, or the ms page. (The ms page, or manuscript page, is a measuring unit. It equals 250 words.)
• The estimate of what the project will cost and how long it will take is negotiable.
• In estimating editing projects, a free sample edit of two or three pages may be included. (That way you can evaluate whether the level and style of editing is acceptable.)
• The Strong Word may prepare a letter of agreement signed by both parties, unless you represent a publisher or business that prefers to generate a contract.
• Rush jobs require an additional 20 percent.
• For small editing or writing projects, half the entire fee is required at the start of the work; the remainder is paid when you're satisfied with the work.
• For larger projects, the fee is split into thirds: one third at the start; one third when the work is returned to you; and one third when you're satisfied with it.
• The Strong Word accepts payment by check or through PayPal.
Contact us today: thestrongword@gmail.com 619-208-7202