Hello, have you finished writing your manuscript or are you nearing the end of the process? Once the first draft is ready, you’ll need to step away from your manuscript and push everything you have spent hours writing – out of your mind.
This is important.
Stay away from your first draft for at least a week, try not to think about it. Come back to it say, a week later. While you are taking a break from your manuscript, may I suggest that you read A 5-Step Basic Guide To Editing Your Own Manuscript where I’ve explained the basics of how you need to go about this step?
Are you not sure if self-editing is for you? Well, it isn’t a matter of choice, to be honest. Self-editing is a must for every author to go through. Read through The Why & How Of The Oft Dreaded Self-Editing where I take you through step-by-step of the process.
You might be in two minds about hiring an editor. To hire, or not to hire. Is this expenditure even required? I’ve written this post just to address these concerns – 7 Reasons Why Every Manuscript Needs A Good Editor.
Before you decide whom to entrust the responsibility of editing your manuscript with, it is very important to understand exactly what it needs. Basic grammar checks? Help with the plot? A little hand-holding? Just, proofreading?
Identify that need. And also read, Things To Take Into Account When Hiring An Editor.
Sometimes a manuscript requires a beta reader more than anything and this shouldn’t ideally be done by a friend or a fellow reader/writer. Only a professional can give you the level of feedback that just a reader would never know about. Let me explain to you why at Reasons Why You Need A Professional Beta Reader For Your Manuscript.
I urge you to read the articles I have linked above for a clear understanding of your needs and how to proceed with hiring an editor. Now, tell me…
Are you an established author, or a newbie dreaming that your manuscript becomes a bestseller? Well, you are not alone and every person writing a book is ensuring that their story is the best. And when we talk about the story, it is more than just the plot. It is the style of writing, choice of words, the flow of events, and so many more things.
I understand how much you have already invested in writing a book – the dreams, the hopes, the time, the energy, and the aspirations. While you are writing the book, and before it goes to the publisher, there will be stages where you will need assistance with the manuscript. I am one of India’s top manuscript editors and have a working knowledge of more than a decade. From editing for newspapers, I have learnt on the job and my thorough knowledge of exactly how a good book should be edited is top-notch.
I don’t provide free feedback. If it is feedback or brainstorming that you desire, please opt for beta reading or any other service below that is closest to what you desire.
Here is where I can step in and these are the services which I offer:
Beta Reading
Often as writers of our manuscript we find it difficult to detach from our writing and assess it critically. The only two ways we go most of the times is either we love it or we want to trash it. With our beta reader package, you will be given feedback on the basic concept of the story, the plot, characters, loopholes, and time gaps along with suggestions, if applicable.
The suggestions provided are extensive and in-depth, with examples wherever needed.
Number of rounds: 1.
Send me an email to editor@samarpita.in with the genre of your manuscript and word count for a professional quote.
This service does not involve editing of any kind. Proofreading not included.
Copy Editing
Grammatical corrections and overall focus on enhancing the readability of the manuscript by polishing the language and style of presentation. This package does not involve any feedback on plot, consistency, etc. Proofreading not included.
Rate: Re 1 to Re 1.20/word (50% in advance) depending on the work required on the manuscript.
Number of rounds: 2.
Send me an email to editor@samarpita.in with the genre of your manuscript and word count for a professional quote.
This service does not involve editing of any kind. Proofreading not included.
Developmental Manuscript Editing
This involves checking the accuracy of facts, consistency of the plot and characters, grammar, and sentence construction. In this, you will also be offered suggestions regarding plot changes, better characterisations, and overall feel of the story. There will be extensive editing of the manuscript over 2 rounds.
Rate: Re1.20 to Re 1.50/word (50% in advance) depending on the work required on the manuscript.
Number of rounds: 2.
Send me an email to editor@samarpita.in with the genre of your manuscript and word count for a professional quote.
This service does not involve editing of any kind. Proofreading not included.
Do Not Under Any Circumstances Send The Manuscript or Chapters Unsolicited. It’s your intellectual property and should not be shared with anybody until you have decided to work with them.
Now that you have decided which level of editing your manuscript requires, drop me an email to editor@samarpita.in for a professional quote. Don’t forget to mention genre, number of words, and the kind of editing you desire.
I understand that unless you have come through the reference of someone who knows my work, you would need some reassurance before you trust your precious manuscript with me. Few books I have edited are listed below. I have been involved with these books at different stages of writing and editing.
You are free to read any of the books I have edited. Alternatively, I can connect you with a writer or two with whom you can take a reference. You can also go through testimonials below.
Note:
- I do not provide sample edits for editing. In my firm opinion, sample edits do not throw any light on the editing capabilities of an editor. As mentioned above, you are welcome to speak to my previous clients or check out books I’ve edited in the past. If you still feel that a sample will help you decide better, I provide a sample edit of 1000 words for Rs 800/- as mentioned above.
- Please do not send a heavily formatted manuscript or with no formatting. The document needs to be with basic formatting only, the rest along with the insertion of photographs will be done after the content has been perfected. Kindly send only .doc or .docx files only.
- I do not support plagiarism of any kind. I am also quick to spot any kind of plagiarism in most cases. If I do spot, I will get back to the author pointing that out and request rewriting. If the author wants me to rewrite, charges for those will be separate since editing does not include writing or rewriting of any kind.
- Before I begin working on your project, I will need a 50% deposit for big projects, 25% more after we have finished one level of editing/half the work required, and the remaining before I send the final product to you. For projects costing less than 20K, I expect complete payment before we begin.
- I have a busy schedule and prefer spending my time working on assignments rather than haggling. The quote I give you would be the lowest possible. Please do not try to haggle on this. I value your need for good content, I expect you value my expertise in return.
- If you have certain keywords, phrases, links, or references you would like me to use in your article, blog post, email marketing, etc., please tell me before I start your project.
- Please be aware of my office hours. I am available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Monday through Friday. I am not available on email, phone, or WhatsApp outside these timings.
- You are free to email me to discuss your project at any time. I shall get back to you as soon as I am able to.
- All instructions coming from the client regarding the project need to be specified right at the beginning.
- If I am working on your manuscript, you will be on priority for me. However, I work with multiple clients during any given time, so please give me time to get back to your emails.* As per copyright laws, you will not own the copyright to any photos, illustrations, articles, etc. that I create unless I transfer my copyright to you in writing through a contract.These fees and policies are an important part of my working relationship with my clients. Please contact me only if you agree to these rates and policies.
Please note that I do not provide any kind of assistance with the publishing process, including any guesswork on how the market will receive your book or connecting you to publishers/agents. Also to be noted that I am the only person behind this and all editing will be done solely by me. I aim to provide error-free copies of your manuscript edited into a polished and enjoyable version, however, there can always be a chance of human error.
Testimonial
Rohini Paranjpe Sathe
She painstakingly pored over, proofread and edited every successive draft of my manuscript, suggesting valuable changes/corrections, all of which reflect her diligence and commitment to her client as also her exceptional professional competence.
She went beyond her role of editor to help me sort some of my computer related issues. She generously invested her time and energy in helping me get my work published, suggesting literary agents and publishing houses, and also put me in touch with reviewers.
Working with her was an absolutely stress-free and extremely pleasant and productive experience.
Shuchi Singh Kalra
Aniesha Brahma
Sujay Malik
That is when I was referred to Samarpita. Not only were her suggestions noteworthy, but the quality of her work was great too. And not only that, she ensured a lightening quick turnaround time as well, without really compromising on the quality.
Needless to say that I had no second thoughts in approaching her for my second book ‘The Sameness in Consistent Change’. Samarpita’s work is exhaustive and her suggestions are in line with the theme of the story. I am happy that I got in touch with her because she helped e shape my work with great precision.
Kneller Fernandes
