Services

Every writer needs an editor - if only for catching and correcting typographical errors.

NancyKay Wessman has been doing that since 1970; part of her job at a weekly newspaper was proofreading: reading and correcting the galley proofs before printing. The publishing industry generally recognizes proofreading, copy editing, line editing, and developmental editing as the four most prevalent editorial functions for a manuscript.

Editors abound, but not all can offer, much less provide, the same services. The publishing industry recognizes The Editorial Freelancers Association as the source for professional editorial assistance. EFA lists skilled areas of expertise in publishing, defines special types of editors, and reports rates those freelance editors charge for services.

Words from NancyKay:

In the publishing industry for decades, I have worked as author's assistant, book coach, cheerleader, editor, marketer, newspaper associate, proofreader, publicist, seller, writing teacher, typographer, and website developer. I have done a little bit of every step in the process, having worked with traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing enterprises to produce quality books, articles, and reports for both individuals and organizations.

Developmental Editing and Coaching

This is the “big picture” review. Does the writer know how to write, know how to tell an interesting story that involves remarkable characters? Do I as a reader want to know more? Are the plot, structure, and voice easy to follow? Will anybody buy this book?

Substantive or Line Editing

Words, words, words: how are they strung together, do they compel the reader to stick with the story and learn more about the characters? Writers “craft” with vocabulary, how they form the story, how they express the voice. Editors aim to make the sentences better, more active, more expressive.

Copy Editing

This phase almost takes the writer back to high school English grammar studies. The editor pays attention to grammar, punctuation, spelling, abbreviations, and whether the writer follows a standard style – The Chicago Manual of Style, for example.

Proofreading

The final review to find and fix any and all errors before publication.

The Process

Think about what you think you need and how NancyKay can help.

Start with FREE—free email and telephone or in-person consultation (up to half-an-hour’s discussion). The talk will focus on your project, your aim, and your work style.
Manuscript evaluation and editing can be billed per word, per hour, or per project.
The editing can be done digitally (in Word, with tracked changes) or on hard copy (printed on 8½ by 11-inch paper).
Based on the writer’s specific need for services, NancyKay will deliver a proposal to include scope of work, suggested time line, and cost along with a draft written agreement. Based on many years of experience and in consideration of a wide variety of clients, NancyKay can offer competitive pricing to benefit the writer.
Then the editorial work will begin!

. . . and Fees

Fees range from zero to. . . whatever you can afford and are willing to invest in your work.

Every project is unique. Every individual who writes embodies distinct dreams and desires. Every written piece calls for special attention.

As a highly skilled editor and multi-year member of Editorial Freelancers Association, NancyKay offers comparable, affordable rates. Generally, editing costs about three cents a word or $50 per hour, and manuscript evaluations start at $300. The cost of that assessment can be discounted from the total cost, which can be priced pre-contract as a package deal.

WessComm, LLC

NancyKay Wessman

Jackson, Mississippi

Pharos Designs

This project is supported in part by funding from the Mississippi Arts Commission, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.