Editing

Editing Services

There are three levels of editing support available:

• • Proofreading – a light review for surface-level grammar, punctuation, and typos
  • Technical Review – ensuring clarity, consistency, and overall flow
  • Comprehensive Editing – includes proofreading and technical review, plus in-depth feedback on structure, content, and style

📚 Book Editing Pricing

I offer comprehensive editing for manuscripts submitted in Word or Google Docs and formatted in standard manuscript style (1″ margins, double-spaced, 12 pt Courier or Times New Roman):

• • $3.20 per page for new clients (standard format)
  • $4.00 per 250 words for non-standard formatting

📝 Other Projects

Proofreading and technical review services are available for:

• • Workbooks & worksheets
  • Cookbooks & recipes
  • PowerPoint slides & presentations
  • Marketing content (articles, blogs, letters, emails, etc.)

Pricing for these projects is provided on a case-by-case basis, depending on formatting, complexity, and timeline.

📆 Turnaround Time & Process

For novel-length projects, typical turnaround is within 30 days. My editorial process includes three read-throughs:

1. 1. Reader-first pass – to understand your intent and spot initial issues
   2. Deep editorial review – focusing on structure, pacing, flow, and clarity
   3. Final pass – to ensure everything has been addressed and polished

I work primarily in Microsoft Word using Track Changes, with all comments and suggestions clearly noted. Longer projects include a separate editorial summary, organized by chapter or section. You stay in full control of what edits to accept or reject—because your story’s voice remains the priority.

All deliverables and deadlines are agreed upon before editing begins.

💵 Payment Terms

A 50% deposit is required before editing begins, with the final balance due when the edited manuscript and any summary notes are ready to be sent to the client. (Rush projects may incur an additional fee.)

From author Behcet ‘Ben’ Kaya:

“My first encounter with Lisa came about when she wrote a review for my debut novel, VOICE OF CONSCIENCE. I had received several reviews which had been 4 and 5 stars and was, to say the least, taken aback with her 3 stars. I egotistically thought to myself, ‘how dare she.’ Then, Lisa wrote to me suggesting that my book was in need of good editing. I took her up on the offer and was very glad that I did. I was impressed with the work she did.

After republishing my novel, I was truly amazed at the reviews and comments I received. I will say this – I will never publish a book again without Lisa’s editing it. True to my word, she has now edited all four of my novels.My second novel, MURDER ON THE NAVAL BASE, has been optioned for a movie. My third novel, ROAD TO SIRAN, ERIN’S STORY, is the sequel to VOICE OF CONSCIENCE. And my fourth novel, TREACHEROUS ESTATE, went on sale July 22, 2018.

Lisa is a superb editor and I will add, teacher, as well. She praises in public, but is not afraid to offer hard hitting and constructive criticism in private. She is superb in detail and in finding contradictions. For example, in my latest novel, I had initially written, “Mister, can you help me?” Lisa suggested, “Can you help me, Mr. Ludef…” A small change, but a big difference in making an impact in the first chapter from sounding like a random encounter between two people, to an intentional encounter.

As writers, we know what the characters are thinking and we assume the reader also knows, when, in fact, they don’t. As far as contradictions, she can zero in on a discrepancy even if it is separated by several chapters. Lisa edits novels as if she is looking through a microscope and can find things that the writer just can’t see, or, in many instances, is just too close to the writing to be able to see.

Lisa is also good on her word as to how long it will take to edit a book. Generally, mine have taken a month or less and I have never been disappointed in her corrections, suggestions, and recommendations for changes. She is my “Chadish,” Klingonese for my editor, my teacher, my mentor.”