Editing Services
What genre do you write?
We probably edit it.
We love stories, so our number one goal is to help authors put the best possible version of their work out into the world. Whether you’re just starting or are already established, we are here to collaborate with and support you on your journey.
We believe in the adage that two (or three) minds are greater than one. Better still, we are always up for a little creative problem-solving.
Open Door Editing will work with you to develop a plan that addresses your goals and timeframe prior to starting any project.
Explore our editing menu to find the option that best suits you.
Developmental Editing
Developmental editing is an in-depth process that delves into the big-picture elements of your manuscript. It focuses on resolving overlying issues, chapter by chapter (or page by page), making this a great option for authors who want detailed guidance on solving storytelling roadblocks.
One pass includes recommendations for:
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Big-picture elements
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Structure and form
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Characterization
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World-building
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Plot consistency
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Storytelling voice and writing skills
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Genre adherence
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Conscientious language
Developmental editing includes lengthy review and frequent communication and should be one of the first steps on your editing path.
Cost: .020 cents per word
Substantive Editing
Substantive editing is a comprehensive editing style that focuses on crafting the most impactful piece possible. It examines everything from big-picture concepts and content architecture to smaller elements like sentence structure, syntax, and punctuation.
One pass includes recommendations for:
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Consistent voice and tone
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Strategic content placement
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Pacing
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Reducing redundancies and repeated word or phrase usage
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Tightening sections of dialogue to produce optimal focus with:
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Style
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Flow
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Use of language
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Adherence to a style guide
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Conscientious language
Substantive editing improves overall structure and is generally completed after a critique or developmental edit, and before copyediting and proofreading.
Cost: .017 cents per word*
Copyediting
Copyediting is a final editorial review of your manuscript that focuses on style, accuracy, and technical aspects while preserving the author's voice.
One pass includes corrections to:
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Grammar, punctuation, spelling, and other low-level technical errors
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Style consistency
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Repetitive word usage
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Minor sentence structure issues that need clarification
Copyediting reviews and corrects written material to improve clarity and happens after content is finalized and before proofreading.
Cost: .014 cents per word**
Proofreading
Proofreading is a final once-over to catch missing words, misspelled words, and missing or incorrect punctuation. It does not include formatting or style issues.
One pass includes corrections to:
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Missing words
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Punctuation
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Spelling
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Other low-level technical errors
Proofreading provides a final polish and is the last step before publication.
Cost: .012 cents per word***
*Please note that if your substantive edit requires significant rewriting, restructuring, or extensive edits, the final cost may be adjusted via contract.
** Open Door Editing offers a standard medium copyedit. If your manuscript requires a higher level of copyediting the cost may be adjusted via contract.
***If, while proofreading, Open Door Editing finds that your manuscript requires the deeper attention of a copyedit, your contract may be renegotiated.
Other Services
Manuscript Review
A manuscript review is a preliminary appraisal of your story. It assesses the overall quality, suitability, and potential impact on your intended audience.
Service includes:
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A full read
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An editorial letter
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Minimal in-text notes
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A 20-minute Zoom meeting or phone call follow-up
A manuscript review includes whole picture feedback and is a great next step after a story is drafted but before a developmental edit.
Cost:
$150 -- Up to 50,000 words
$200 -- 50,001 to 80,000 words
$250 -- 80,001 to100,000 words
$300 and up -- Over 100,000 words
First Pages
First pages is a look at the first five pages of your manuscript to ensure that necessary elements of your story are included in the initial set up.
Service includes an in-depth look at:
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Opening hook
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Setting/world building
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Main characters or central themes
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Tone, style, and genre establishment
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Narrative voice
A first pages read helps establish story and is crucial for drawing in readers. It works best prior to a copyedit but can be useful at any time.
Cost: $30
Note: Open Door editors may be booked several months in advance, so we recommend scheduling ahead. If you’re on a tighter timeline, expedited services are available for an additional fee. Let us know what you need, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your schedule.
Terms and Details
To inquire and/or schedule services, please use the linked contact form. For new clients we may, at our discretion, request to review a writing sample to help determine what level of editing is needed. Likewise, if requested, we will provide a sample edit of the first 1,000 words of your manuscript to help you determine if we are a good fit for your writing level and/or experience. Flexible scheduling and/or rush edits are available for an additional fee. Please inquire for more information.
Submission Guidelines: For ease of editing, Open Door Editing prefers submissions as email attachments in .docx format; double spaced, Times New Roman or Arial, 12 pt font. Please add page numbers as well as a page header that includes your author and manuscript name.
Editing services require a 50% deposit upon contract agreement. Contracts may be renegotiated for edits priced on a sliding scale. Once editing is complete, final invoices will be adjusted down or up, if necessary, based on the extent of the edits the manuscript required. Should you need to cancel or reschedule your edit, the deposit is nonrefundable, however, we are happy to hold your funds and apply them to an edit rescheduled within six months of your originally scheduled date. Rescheduling fees apply. Should we need to cancel, or if we are unable to complete an edit for any reason, at our discretion, your deposit is 100% refundable. Billing and payment are handled through PayPal. By paying your deposit, you agree to the terms as outlined above.
Developmental and Substantive edits include a 20-minute Zoom consultation prior to the first pass. Zoom meetings for Manuscript Reviews will come after the first pass.
One pass includes a consultation, an edit or review, any in-text notes, and an editorial letter or email summary. Length of editing turnaround will vary according to contract and scheduling.
