Rates

All rates assume a 250-word, 12 point serif, double-spaced manuscript page:

Proofreading: $15/hour
Copyediting: $25/hour, or 1¢/word
Content and Developmental Editing: $40/hour
Design and Layout: $30/hour
General Evaluation: 20¢ per mms page
Students: 20 percent off all services†, with school ID card

Charges are based on actual time spent with the source material, in increments of one-quarter of an hour — you will only pay for actual service rendered. Here are some definitions of the services offered:

  • Proofreading is typically the last stage of the editing process. It involves going over a finished work “one last time,” with an eye kept out for any stray typos, before it goes to the printer. If the document is in a camera-ready format, layout problems are fixed. This may be all that your document needs.
  • Copyediting makes sure spelling, punctuation and grammar are correct, asks about possible factual problems, points out vague or awkward passages.
  • Content (Line) Editing is about tone, style and consistency, in addition to spelling and grammar. The work may be read several times. Facts are checked; text references to tables, chapters and charts are reviewed; and consistency in any bibliography and/or footnotes is examined. Some rewriting may occur.
  • Developmental Editing, unlike the above, usually occurs before and during the writing process. The editor works in concert with the author to determine the organization and structure of the writing. Identifying weak elements and sections, and restructuring and rewriting text are part of the process.
  • Evaluation is just that: I’ll be happy to read your manuscript and offer a paragraph or two regarding what I thought of the work, maybe with a suggestion or two. However, no editing or proofing is done on an evaluation.

† While students receive a 20-percent discount on all services, Vanport Media cannot accept theses or major project/final papers in the liberal arts or social sciences for copyediting, only for proofreading or evaluation.

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