Editing & Coaching
All prices in USD (Canadians pay at par)“Working with Sarah has been life-changing—she went beyond editing to help me see my story’s potential and provided the tools to achieve it. Sarah has this extraordinary gift of finding the gold in a story, and she does it in a way that’s enthusiastic and supportive. I cannot recommend her enough”
Start Here: Free Consultation
Writing isn’t a one-size-fits all endeavor. Each person and project has unique needs that can be best served in different ways. In this 30-minute consultation, we’ll discuss your writing goals and what challenges you’re facing. I’ll point you towards the next steps you can take, whether or not that includes working with me.
Limit: One free consult per person per calendar year.
“Working with Sarah helped me confront personal histories, gain distance from my manuscript, and develop a greater sense of its possibilities. She went beyond the call of duty, offering stylistic, structural, and other advice, and showing empathy and patience as I made a stylistic transition”
Editing Packages
If you’re just beginning to work on your manuscript, or as you’re revising, packets give you feedback, accountability and support as you work. Each packet includes both page edits and Zoom check-ins. Pre-purchase multiple packets and receive discounts of 10% (three), 15% (six) or 20% (12) off the single-packet price.
Level I
- A comprehensive edit of up to 2,500 words (10 consecutive pages)
- One 60-minute call (phone or Zoom) to celebrate breakthroughs, discuss challenges and plan next steps
- A recording of our call for you to download and keep
- Package of three: $1,120
- Package of six: $2,116
- Package of 12: $3,984
Level II
- A comprehensive edit of up to 5,000 words (20 consecutive pages)
- One 60-minute call (phone or Zoom) to celebrate breakthroughs, discuss challenges and plan next steps
- A recording of our calls for you to download and keep
- Package of three: $1,523
- Package of six: $2,876
- Package of 12: $5,414
Level III
- A comprehensive edit of up to 10,000 words (40 consecutive pages)
- One 60-minute call (phone or Zoom) to celebrate breakthroughs, discuss challenges and plan next steps
- A recording of our calls for you to download and keep
- Package of three: $2,160
- Package of six: $4,080
- Package of 12: $7,680
“Sarah is a genuine manuscript whisperer with a gift for finding the gold in your story and helping you bring it to life. Sarah sinks deep into your material and has a natural ability to see what it’s trying to be. Her evaluation was comprehensive, beautifully wrought, and full of rich resources. Do not hesitate to work with her!”
Developmental Editing
Developmental editing is where we figure out what story you’re trying to tell and the most effective way to tell it. Through Markup and an editorial letter that clients have called a “tailored writing handbook” I give you the tools to get where you want to go. To use a real estate analogy, this is where we make sure you have the right blueprint, materials and equipment for the house you want to build. There are two options:
Option 1. The fees below are for one round of developmental editing. Some clients take my editorial letter and revise on their own for 6-9 months, and then they come back for a manuscript evaluation. In nearly every case, the revision is ready for a line edit.
Option 2. Some clients prefer a “slow and steady” approach to developmental editing. For those clients, I do an initial manuscript evaluation, followed by regular packet edits and Zoom check-ins. This gives you ongoing accountability, cheerleading and feedback as you revise. This approach also spreads the cost out over several months, which many clients appreciate.
You’ll receive:
- An extensive editorial letter (10+ pages) to guide your revision
- Heavy Markup queries and comments
- A one-hour follow-up call to discuss your questions and next steps
- A recording of our call for your reference
Cost:
- $2,500 for up to 39,999 words
- $3,500 for 40,000 to 50,999 words
- $4,500 for 60,000 to 79,999 words
- $5,500 for 80,000 to 99,999 words
- $500 for each additional 10,000 words
Time frame:
- 4-8 weeks, depending on length
“I highly recommend Sarah for your writing project. She put her heart into my book and went above and beyond to give me the feedback I needed. She was able to see my idea through a fresh lens, and she provided ideas for what my book could be and how I could get there. She put her heart into my book and went above and beyond. I highly recommend Sarah.”
Manuscript Evaluation
A manuscript evaluation can serve two purposes. In the first scenario, you’ve taken your manuscript as far as you can, but you’re not sure if it’s ready to submit. A manuscript evaluation is a high-level overview of issues that need to be addressed before you take the final steps to self-publish or begin querying. A manuscript evaluation gives you a summary assessment of where you are on your path to publication. To continue with the real estate analogy, an evaluation is akin to having someone tell you how to stage your home for sale.
A manuscript evaluation can also be the first step in a “slow and steady” developmental edit; the evaluation gives you some high-level feedback, and then we switch to an editing package where you send me revised pages on a regular basis, and we meet to celebrate your breakthroughs and brainstorm solutions to your challenges.
You’ll receive:
- Light Markup
- A 5-7 page editorial letter analyzing structure, storytelling and composition
- A one-hour follow-up phone call to discuss your questions and next steps
- A recording of our call for your reference
Cost:
- $1,650 for up to 60,000 words
- $250 for each additional 10,000 words
Time frame:
- 3-4 weeks, depending on length
Creative Breakthrough Sessions / Check-ins
Not sure what step to take next? Having trouble with a thorny plot twist? Are you in the query trenches and not getting any responses? Let’s brainstorm solutions! Bring me your writing and publishing-related challenges, and let me help you figure out your next steps. We’ll meet on Zoom and I’ll record the call so you can refer back to it. The cost for the first 60-minute session is $250.
Clients who have worked with me before can schedule breakthrough sessions or check-ins for $99 (30 minutes) or $180 (60 minutes).
More services available “off-menu,” including sample edit, creative flow coaching, submission packet reviews and more. Please schedule a free consultation to discuss.
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