YOUR SCI-FI AND FANTASY BOOK CHAMPION!
EDITING SERVICES
Developmental Editing
Also known as content editing, this level of editing focuses on the “big picture” story elements. I’ll carefully read your manuscript and provide inline notes highlighting areas that need improvement / refinement.
Separately, I’ll also provide a comprehensive report with detailed feedback on characters, plot, coherence, readability, tension, setting, and other story elements.
Rates for this service start at $0.018 per word ($1,170 for a 65K word manuscript). Repeat clients receive a 10% discount.
Copyediting
My copyediting service pays close attention to language details like grammar, syntax, word overuse, misplaced modifiers, subject / verb agreement, dialogue tags, word accuracy, language consistency, dialogue effectiveness. Copyediting should be done after all big picture revisions
for plot / character / setting / etc. have been completed.
Rates for this service range from $0.018 to $0.0234 per word ($1,170 to $1,521 for a 65K word manuscript), depending on the condition of the manuscript. I can provide an exact quote after reviewing a short sample from the manuscript. Clients who hire me for developmental editing get a 15% discount on copyediting.
Proofreading
Normally the final step in the process, proofreading is the “final polishing” designed to catch typos, spelling errors, formatting issues, punctuation, capitalization.
My rates for proofreading range from $0.011 to $0.015 per word ($715 to $975 for a 65K manuscript), depending on the condition of the manuscript. Clients who hire me for developmental or copyediting get a 15% discount on proofreading.
For editing FAQs and process, scroll to bottom of page
BOOK MARKETING SERVICES
As a successful self-publisher of my own novels, I have deep expertise in every area of book production, distribution, and marketing. I have years of experience running successful promotional campaigns on Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, Kickstarter, TikTok, BookBub, and third-party email services like Fussy Librarian and Book Barbarian.
And when you hire me, you’ll get much more than a self-publishing guru. As an MBA and former Fortune 100 technology executive with over twenty years of business experience, you’ll benefit from my deep expertise in developing market strategies, performance metrics, and business
plans. In my own self-publishing journey, the skills and tools I developed in my corporate career have been an invaluable factor in my success, and they can be part of yours too.
I’ll create a marketing plan tailored for your specific needs and budget, designed to raise your book’s visibility to your targeted audience so you can sell more and reach your publishing goals.
My Two Tiers of Services
The first is a turn-key marketing plan where we identify your publishing goals, priorities, and budget, then create a step-by-step plan to promote / market your book.
The second is by-the-hour consulting services covering specific areas you need help with, like creating marketing collateral for advertising campaigns, Facebook ad training sessions, or developing a crowdfunding strategy for Kickstarter.
My book launch & marketing services include but are not limited to the following areas:
FACEBOOK / AMAZING AD TRAINING AND SUPPORT -- MARKETING STRATEGY -- SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING -- MARKETING COLLATERAL -- CROWDFUNDING -- ADVERTISING AND EMAIL CAMPAIGNS -- AUDIOBOOK PRODUCTIONS -- DATA AND KEYWORD OPTIMIZATION – GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION STRATEGY -- ETHICAL USE OF AI -- DIRECT SALES AND MORE!
Ready to Get Started?
Email me at david@dlyoungfiction.com or via the form below, let me know what you're looking to accomplish, and we'll go from there!
Contact form
Editing / Consulting FAQs
Do you do free sample edits?
While I know some freelance editors provide complimentary sample edits, due to bandwidth constraints I’m unable to do free edits. If you'd like to get a feel for my approach, I can do a $50 edit of a writing sample up to 3,000 words (e.g., first chapter of a novel, short story, etc.).
What’s your process?
After an initial email or phone chat, I’ll send you a quote along with a copy of my contract. After we've both signed the contract, I’ll get started.
Like the vast majority of editors, I use MS Word to insert line-level commentary and track changes. After you get your final edited file, I can answer any questions you might have via phone or email (1-hour maximum time commitment).
How long does it take?
Generally about 2 weeks for proofreading, and 4-6 weeks for copyediting and developmental edits. Depending on the length and state of the manuscript, it can vary a week up or down from these guidelines.
Do you do rush jobs?
Yes. A 1-week proofread or 2-week developmental edit / copyedit is priced at a 40% premium to regular rates.
What are your payment terms?
For both my editing and consulting work, a 50% deposit is required up front. The remaining 50% is paid when the project is completed. Final project deliverables are provided after 100% payment is delivered.