Rates

I provide high-quality work at reasonable rates.

 

Books: By the project. Market rate. Generally $30,000-$50,000.

Book proposals: $5,000-$10,000

Developmental editing: $0.12-0.15/word

Focuses on overall structure, content, flow, and organization of the material. Big picture editing. I would check for issues with the content, logic, structure, and flow and suggest solutions that you would undertake. (I would then take a second look after you’re finished, if you like; that second look would fall in one of the following two categories.) 

Line Editing: $0.10-0.12/word

Focuses on the clarity, flow, and style. Makes sure sentences are well-structured, concise, easy to understand. I would revise awkward phrasing, improve sentence structure as needed, and look to enhance the overall readability. For example, I might split overly long sentences into two, remove jargon, or edit for more active (rather than passive) language.

Copyediting: $0.08-0.10/word

Focuses on accuracy, consistency, and correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting (e.g., ensures that all headings are formatted consistently). Makes sure text is free from errors in mechanics and usage. Checks for consistency in capitalization, hyphenation, and formatting, and checks for factual errors. 

Articles, speeches, annual reports, newsletters, brochures, blogs, columns, etc.: $1.25/word

If a project is charged by the hour, my rate is $100/hour.

 

“We are always satisfied with Tom’s work. We initiate the concept and he runs with our ideas. We feel he’s worth every penny of our budget to provide compelling, professional, and concise writing that is highly interesting to our audience.”

— Becky Ponder, Director of Communications, School of Social Work, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

“Tom knows how to bring the best out of an author. His ability to see the big picture while also tending to the small details helped my book tremendously. The end product is far better than it would have been without him. It was definitely money well spent on my part.”

— Tim Hoerr, CEO, Serra Ventures, and author of Risking It: An Intersection of Faith and Work