A sample edit allows the writer see if a particular editor’s
approach suits their specific requirements. On the other hand, it gives the
editor a chance to determine the writer’s level, how far the work has been
developed, and how much work needs to be done to bring it forward.
It’s important to understand that a sample edit is just a
partial view of the editor’s service, with mine being a three-phase operation
entailing the developmental line-edit, followed by a deep-focus copy-edit, and
finishing off with a comprehensive proofread that sees the work ready for
pre-release/submission prepping.
What the writer receives in the sample edit is a step inside
the first phase, where undeveloped material is shaped and cleansed of all
first-fix issues. The recommendation, of course, and one I always make, is for
the writer to connect with at least half-a-dozen editors so they can build a
fairly solid comparison between several professionals’ work methods and
approaches.
If the writer likes my sample, we then have a chat about fee
and schedule. My schedule is always booked into the near-distant future, but
time flies and it’s usually only a short hop before work begins. I expect
half-payment up front, with the remainder due before the completed first-fix is
returned. What happens after that is up to the client. If they have the time to
focus on the rewrite, I’ll suggest a soft deadline to work towards. If life
means work is stretched out, it’s not a problem – I know how things are in that
department and will always work within the client’s timetable. If it takes a
few weeks, months, or even a year or more, I’m good with that. My priority is
to develop the work-in-progress to its full potential, and having the writer
fully on board ensures that will happen.
What do you have to do? Decide which excerpt you want to
submit (up to 3,000 words), then email it as a Word document to clearviewediting@gmail.com and I’ll
take it from there.
See what my clients say about my services:
