SERVICES
Joy Editing offers content editing, line editing, and proofreading services. We provide all services through Microsoft Word using the Track Changes feature, and we edit according to the Chicago Manual of Style and the Unabridged Merriam-Webster Dictionary. If you're interested in being able to reference those resources as well, both are available online for an annual subscription.
If you don't find what you're looking for below, send us an email! We're happy to customize packages.
Content Editing
If you're having trouble building up your plot or your characters, this is the service for you! With a content edit, your editor will read your book and provide you with notes about where the story lags, where to expand, which parts worked beautifully, etc. Your editor will also be available to answer your questions about specific trouble spots, like the sex scenes or ending. Content editing does not include any line editing or proofreading, and it should be done before you move on to line editing.
Price: $9.50 per 1,000 words
Line Editing
If you're confident in your story but not in your technical writing, line editing is for you. This is our most popular option. During line editing, your line editor will read your book twice: once for a grasp of the content and once to correct your grammar, spelling, sentence structure, etc. Line editing does include abbreviated content editing. Your editor will also be available to discuss any trouble spots in your manuscript and answer questions. We are happy to provide a one-thousand-word free sample edit of your manuscript.
As part of your line editing package, you will receive one proofread after line editing is complete.
Price: $14.50 per 1,000 words
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Proofreading
Proofreading is the final step in the editing process. Your proofreader will comb through your edited manuscript, looking for typos, spelling errors, missed words and punctuation, etc. One proofread is included in our line editing service, but you're welcome to add on another to get an extra set of eyes.
We reserve the right to refuse proofreading services to books that have not gone through our line editing service.
Price: $4.50 per 1,000 words
NOTE: While the editors and proofreaders at Joy Editing always work to the best of our abilities, we cannot promise an error-free book.
Additional Fees
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We require all manuscripts to be submitted in full by 9 p.m. EST the night before an edit is due to start. Books submitted late or in pieces are subject to fees and/or cancellation.
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If you cancel or reschedule an edit with less than 30 days' notice, we reserve the right to assess cancellation or rescheduling fees for up to $100. We reserve the right to charge a processing fee on any refunds.
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If you book an editing date with less than 30 days' notice, you will be charged a $100 rush booking fee.
We may, on a case-by-case basis, be able to rush the completion of your edit or proofread. Rush editing fees will be discussed on request.
Single Read-Through
While an initial read-through is included in our line editing service, we do offer a standalone single read-through option. This is not a content edit but rather an opportunity to receive a reader's first impressions of your story. A single read-through may also be charged as a separate service if a manuscript is withdrawn by an author for reworking after the first read is completed for a line editing service.
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Price: $3.00 per 1,000 words
JOY PASS
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For those times when you want to skip the line without much warning, get yourself a Joy Pass! In the past, we've always had a wait list for clients who want a specific date that isn't currently available. We're still doing that this year, but we're creating a new list too.
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The Joy Pass service is free of charge. All interested authors will have their names placed on the Joy Pass list, in order of date received, and if an opening with your preferred editor comes up with less than 30 days' notice, we'll let you know! If you fill that spot, not only will we waive your rush booking fee, but we'll also take 10% off your total. You are under no obligation to use your Joy Pass editing slot, but if an author turns down three consecutive Joy Pass offers, they cannot rejoin the Joy Pass list for at least three months.
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NOTE: We cannot guarantee that a Joy Pass spot will become available, nor can we guarantee more than three days' notice. Previously scheduled edits may only be moved forward to last-minute Joy Pass openings as long as the originally scheduled start date is more than 30 days out from the Joy Pass-eligible opening.
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