Editing
As much as I love to read and write, I also enjoy editing for both established and beginning authors—and everyone in between. For the past fifteen years, I’ve worked as a freelance editor and coach for Christian publishing houses and private clients, including award-winning and best-selling authors. I’m qualified with the Christian Editor Connection to edit both fiction and nonfiction.
On the fiction side, I edit all Christian genres and specialize in romance (naturally!). As a Love Inspired author, I’m your go-to editor if you’d like to break into category romance. In the general market, I edit within many genres, as long as we would rate them “G or “PG.” I don’t edit horror novels, books with gratuitous sex and/or violence or foul language, or books that take the Lord’s name in vain.
I also like editing nonfiction books and have worked with pastors, ministry leaders, and all kinds of believers who have a message to spread. With degrees in theology, I attract many authors of Bible studies as well as those writing theology and Christian-living books. My fiction background has helped me to edit memoirs. I have also edited in the nonfiction general market, such as finance. And my nursing background has helped me to edit within the medical field.
My rates fall into the low end of the Editorial Freelancers Association’s recommended prices (or less). Email me at Editor@christinamillerauthor.com.
Coaching/Mentoring:
I meet with coaching and mentoring clients via Zoom or phone call, whichever the author prefers. For nonfiction, I often help the author discover their genre, theme, and organization of the book and assist in writing an outline. If needed, I work with the client to decide on the title, subtitle, and chapter titles. We often brainstorm together to discover the book’s direction. I also review and give input on chapters and outlines as the author develops them. Coaching and mentoring sessions are designed individually to give the author the most benefit.
Coaching/Mentoring: $65 per hour, with billing for time spent reviewing the author’s material and for the online or phone sessions. (Author will receive detailed billing statements.)
Brainstorming Sessions:
My brainstorming sessions (via Zoom or phone) are helpful for the writer who hasn’t yet developed a community of authors to brainstorm with or for someone who simply wants a new perspective on the book. Brainstorming is my favorite of all my services. Brainstorming is helpful whenever the author doesn’t know where to go next in the book, needs plotting or characterization help, or can’t find a solution to a snag.
Brainstorming: $65 per hour.
Content Edit:
A content edit evaluates the book’s big picture. In it, I address voice, theme, structure, vision, organization, style, transitions, and more. The content edit also includes a close look to make sure each point has been discussed thoroughly without rambling. I also check for gaps or errors in theology/Bible interpretation, using universal principles of hermeneutics. For fiction and memoirs, I also check plot, characterization, pacing, setting, believability, point of view, dialogue, and more. I offer a complimentary edit of pages 1–5 for this level of editing.
Content Edit: $.025–$.04 per word, depending on the amount of work needed.
Line Edit/Copyedit:
This level of editing addresses the book paragraph by paragraph, sentence by sentence, word by word. In it, I address the “picky” aspects of writing. This may include checking punctuation, spelling, grammar, word usage, formatting, capitalization, hyphenation, Bible verse quotes, redundancies, clarity, elimination of unnecessary words, and more. I offer a complimentary edit of pages 1–3 for the line edit/copyedit.
Line Edit/Copyedit: $.025–$.035 per word, depending on the amount of work needed.
Line Edit/Copyedit Following Content Edit: $.02–$.03 per word, depending on the amount of work needed.
Writing Category Romance (for example, Love Inspired):
This edit is for authors who wish to write for Love Inspired or other houses that publish category romance. As a multi-published Love Inspired author, I will read your entire manuscript and flag the elements in the book that work well for category romance as well as elements that don’t. Then I’ll give suggestions for revising. The Writing Category Romance edit does not include content editing (other than issues directly relating to category romance) or a line edit. If the author is targeting Love Inspired, I’ll include inside information about what our editors want.
Writing Category Romance Edit: $.02 per word.
Content Edit Following Category Romance Edit: $.02–$.035 per word, depending on the amount of work needed.
Line Edit/Copyedit Following Category Romance Edit: $.02–$.03 per word, depending on the amount of work needed.
Proofreading
Typically, proofreading follows a developmental edit, line edit, and/or copyedit. In it, I review the manuscript for typographical errors, misspelled/misused words, grammar errors, punctuation, abbreviation, capitalization mistakes, inconsistent formatting, spacing errors, and more. Proofreading is available both to new clients and to my editing clients who have completed editing revisions and would like me to check their changes.
Proofreading: $0.02 per word.
Proofreading client's revisions after I have given the manuscript a line edit and/or copyedit: $.018 per word
Speaking/Teaching:
Do you need a speaker or teacher at your upcoming event? I’m available to speak or teach about writing, editing, and/or faith at your writers’ group, writing conference, book club, church women’s group, etc., either in person or online. My speaking/teaching experience includes Novel Academy, Redemption Press Boot Camp, my church district’s regional women’s conference, and women’s groups at many local churches. Feel free to drop me a line at Editor@ChristinaMillerAuthor.com for more information.