LYNN EVERETT

Diagnostic Report

The Diagnostic Report is a written analysis of the overall “health” of your writing piece. This report will outline the unique strengths and weaknesses of your work and will give you valuable, usable information that you can apply to take it to the next level.

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Here is the kind of information you will see on your Diagnostic Report:

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• An analysis of what works and what doesn’t in big-picture items, such as story line, characters, and point of view (in fiction) or organization and completeness of content (in nonfiction).

• Examples of surface errors, such as those in punctuation, spelling, and grammar.

• An estimated error rate, which is the average number of surface errors per paragraph or page.    

• A recommendation for the level of editing that would best suit the needs of your work.*

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*If you purchase the recommended editorial service from me, 50 percent of the report price will be deducted from your total editing price. If you purchase a different level than recommended, 20 percent of the report price will be deducted from your total editing price.

Investment: $50 minimum for up to 25,000 words; $50 for every 50,000-word increment thereafter.

Copyediting

This light-handed edit fixes surface errors (such as those in capitalization, punctuation, and spelling) in writing pieces that have a low error rate.* If needed, Copyediting will also correct word choice.  

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​*Your estimated error rate—which is the average number of surface errors per paragraph or page—will be given in the Diagnostic Report. The typical writing piece has a normal error rate, which requires a minimum of Line Editing (the next level up).

Investment: $0.015 per word

Line Editing

This moderate-level edit fixes surface errors (such as those in capitalization, punctuation, and spelling) in writing pieces that have a normal error rate.* Line Editing will also fix minor problems with word choice and sentence structure.

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​*Your estimated error rate—which is the average number of surface errors per paragraph or page—will be given in the Diagnostic Report. The typical writing piece has a normal error rate, which requires a minimum of Line Editing.  

Investment: $0.021 per word

This moderate to heavy edit addresses the following kinds of issues:

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• Surface errors (e.g., mistakes in capitalization, punctuation, and spelling)

• Incorrect word choice and sentence structure

• Inconsistent details

• Lack of transition between ideas, sentences, and paragraphs

• Off-topic sentences

• Inappropriate point-of-view shifts

• Holes in logic

• The need for documentation

Substantive Editing

This big-picture edit looks at the building blocks that form the foundation of your writing. In Substantive Editing, I will place comments strategically throughout your piece, giving specific advice on areas such as the following:

In Nonfiction

• Organization (e.g., within paragraphs, chapters, sections, or subsections)

• Supporting information (e.g., the need for source citations, graphics, or examples)

• Extraneous or off-topic content

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In Fiction

• Character, plot, and scene development

• Showing rather than telling

• Point of view

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After you review the completed edit, you can either make the changes recommended in my comments or hire me to make the changes for you. (A bid for my additional work will accompany the edit.)

Investment: $0.035 per word

Proofreading

The Proofreading service points out surface errors and typesetting problems to be fixed by your designer. This service is typically performed on writing pieces that are formatted and almost ready for production.  

Investment: $0.011 per word

Go to the Children’s Book Editing page to learn more about these services.