RLB Editing Services
Because creating your best work takes more than one.
RLB Editing Services
Because creating your best work takes more than one.
Additional Information
Editing Services, Sensitivity/Authenticity Reads, Self-Publishing Consultation
Editorial Services
Why do you need an editor? Because editors are the first people to look at your manuscript from a reader's point of view. Think back on your own reading history. Did you notice any grammatical or spelling errors, poor paragraph or sentence structure, or words that didn't seem to fit the book's tone? If you did, it likely interrupted your concentration and your enjoyment of the story. A poorly edited novel is frustrating for the reader, and can lead to negative book reviews. Great editing helps to prevent that. The five types of editing RLB Editing Services offers are manuscript evaluation, content, line, copyediting, and proofreading.
Manuscript evaluation, also called structural editing, is a high-level, "big picture" look at an author's manuscript, where the editor makes an assessment of the structure, flow, completeness, and overall quality. The editor is not concerned with the fine details of the work, such as grammar, spelling, and punctuation, which occurs later in the editing process. If the editor has serious structural or organizational concerns, the author may want to seek the help of a developmental editor.* If the structure is sound but the writing needs work, a content and/or line edit is in order. A glowing evaluation means the manuscript is ready for copyediting and proofreading. Congratulations!
Manuscript evaluations are priced at $USD 0.03 per word. A cover letter giving the author an overall assessment of the manuscript is included at no extra charge.
Content editing, also called substantive or full editing, is an editor's deep dive into an author's manuscript. Working chapter-by-chapter and paragraph-by-paragraph, the editor reads and edits the work while assessing it for completeness, the smoothness of its flow, and the story's construction. A content editor points out these weak spots and offers advice on how to correct them, such as by suggesting a paragraph be moved elsewhere in the chapter, moved to a different chapter, or deleted. They will not, however, suggest chapters be reordered. A content editor should also know the book's target audience to ensure the story's tone (the way it comes off) fits that audience, and that the author's voice sounds like their own. Last, content editors help to refine the author's language for their intended audience.
Content editing services are priced at $USD 0.035 per word. A cover letter giving the author an overall assessment of the manuscript is included at no extra charge.
Line editing, also called stylistic editing or comprehensive editing, dives even deeper into the author's manuscript than content editing. A line editor goes through the manuscript line-by-line, concerned with how each word interacts with other words in a sentence, and how the sentences flow. Specifically, they assess an author's word choice and whether each sentence has the intended impact. A line editor looks for run-on sentences, sentence fragments, and cliches. Line editors also tighten sentences by eliminating wordiness (something all authors do!). Stated another way, the line editor's job is to make your prose sing. That's why it's important an author's manuscript undergo a content edit before a line edit. A book's prose may be outstanding, but that won't mean much if the story is poorly constructed.
Line editing services are priced at $USD 0.045 per word.
Copyediting enters the picture after an author's manuscript is complete, after it has undergone a content and line edit. This type of editing is much more granular. A copyeditor looks for mistakes in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Authors might pride themselves on their skill in this area, but nobody's perfect. Remember, an editor of any type approaches a manuscript as a reader would a published book. An author has likely reviewed their manuscript so many times, their brain will skip over a mistake that would be obvious to anyone reading it for the first time. Copyeditors also make sure the author's manuscript follows the right style for the type of book. Fiction and most other books are copyedited according to the Chicago Manual of Style. A thorough copyedit is important, for it is often the difference between a professional book and one than comes across as amateur.
Copyediting services are priced at $USD 0.025 per word.
Proofreading is often used interchangeably with copyediting, but they are not the same. Both types of editing look for mistakes in spelling, grammar, and punctuation (that the copyeditor might have missed!), but the difference is that the copyeditor works from the author's manuscript, while the proofreader works from the printed proof, or the way the book will present to the reader after being formatted. The proofreader looks for errors in the layout, including page numbers and formatting, like making sure the paragraphs on a page line up correctly. For ebooks, a proofreader will work with the author to make sure all lines of text appear in the electronic copy. Disappearing lines of text usually occur at the close of a chapter, especially if it is the final line set off by itself in the manuscript.
Proofreading services are priced at $USD 0.025 per word.
*Developmental editing, also called conceptual editing, may be the start of an author's editing process, where they might have an idea for a book or a rough outline, but needs help in bringing the pieces together. Here, the editor asks questions such as whether the author is leaving out key details, if a story's elements are in the right place, or if there is irrelevant material that needs to be cut.
RLB Editing Services does not offer developmental editing.
"Roxanne Bland is a gem! She polished my writing and made it sparkle without losing my voice. Her recommendations and suggestions helped me to rethink every scene and made me a better writer. There is no way I can sum up what she had taught me or how much I appreciate her knowledge and kindness. A better or more gracious editor you will not find."
--Dennis Powers, Carter's World: MECH
Sensitivity/Authenticity Reading Service
What is a sensitivity/authenticity read? Many authors are creating characters of a different race than the one to which they belong. A sensitivity/authenticity reader is someone who is knowledgeable of the culture of the author's characters. They look for unwitting stereotypes, unconscious biases, and character behaviors that are out of the norm for that culture. In short, a sensitivity reader makes sure the author's character comes across as authentic. If the work is historical, the reader makes certain the culture is consistent with the period. RLB Editing Services offers sensitivity/authenticity reads for Black/African American characters.
Sensitivity/authenticity reading services are priced at $USD 0.015 per word. A cover letter explaining my findings and advice for revisions is included at no extra charge.
"We asked Roxanne to do an authenticity read of a manuscript and thought she was great to work with, prompt, and an excellent communicator. We hope we get to work with her again on future titles."
--Catherine Lundoff, Publisher, Queen of Swords Press
"Roxanne gave me a thorough and considerate sensitivity read for my contemporary fantasy. She was excellent to work with, timely, and I will happily hire her again for future projects!"
--Trisha Wooldridge, Author
Book Coaching Service
A book coach works closely with the author to shape and hone their vision for the story by offering support, feedback, and accountability. In simple terms, a coach is a project manager and cheerleader. The coach helps the author to develop a timeline for completing the work, which may include developing a schedule to discuss the author's progress. A coach also helps an author to find their voice--the point of the story--by making sure the author stays on track, and much more.
Book coaching services are priced at $USD 70.00/hour, charged in 15-minute increments.
Self-Publishing Consultation
Are you thinking about self-publishing and want to know more? Have you decided to self-publish but haven't a clue where to start? Have you self-published before but want guidance this time around? There are many, many factors to consider in self-publishing because you're doing all the work yourself--and it's a lot of work. Things to think about include your book cover (will you hire a professional designer or use stock photos or art?), distribution (will you use many distributors for your work or just one?). What's most important, however, is your budget. Large or small, without planning, it's very easy to overspend. I've been self-publishing my books for over a decade and know first-hand how confusing the process (and expensive!) it can be. I will help you to create a budget, and then help to determine the most economical means for you to turn your book into a reality.
Self-publishing consultation services are priced at $USD 70.00/hour, charged in 15-minute increments.
