What it’s like to work with me
Two things that are very important to me:
1. That our work together is rich and rewarding, and that you have agency and choice in the editorial decisions.
2. That you wind up with a manuscript you are head-over-heels in love with.
This is collaborative work, and your thoughts, wishes, and processes matter. I’m not here to crush your darlings and stomp all over your more delicate feelings in a “no pain, no gain” sort of way. When you work with me, you can be assured that I am only interested in helping you realize the book you dream of making—and in doing so in the most supportive way possible.
What the process is like
Once you reach out, we will start a dialogue to see if we are a good fit. I will send you some questions about your project; once you return your answers to me and we decide we would like to work together, we can move forward and start discussing options, either in an email or a short video call.
When we have agreed upon the project details (the type of editing, the start date and timeline, and the price), I will email you an editorial agreement. Once you sign and return it, we are on our way! You can expect clarity on what is happening and when throughout the entire process—no mysteries, no surprises.
What you will get
Every project is different, but in general you can expect to receive:
• Your edited manuscript.
• For story-level or substantive edits, an editorial letter detailing strengths, areas for development, and revision ideas.
• A custom style sheet for your project.
• An invoice and timeline to pay it.
• “What now?” recommendations.
What it will cost
Rates for services vary depending on type of edit, word count, complexity of the manuscript, and deadline. You can expect rates ranging from $0.03–$0.045 CAD per word.
If cost is prohibitive, please do reach out anyway and we can discuss options that are within your budget. For example, I may be able to do a partial edit on a smaller section of your manuscript, offering feedback that you can take away and apply to the rest of your book. Or, we might arrange a payment plan on a schedule that makes it doable for you.
Contact me
Do reach out, I can’t wait to hear from you. I am happy to answer any questions that you have, and I will be very nice to you. Find me at lindsay@topazliterary.com.
