Editing & Proofreading

Q: What's the secret of professionally published authors?

A: They have professional editors.

The fact is, good writing takes two pairs of eyes: yours and your editor's.

Don't have an editor (yet)? Let Grammar Minute fill that role.

For Fiction Writers

For Nonfiction Writers

IMPORTANT: All submissions must be industry standard formatting. That's Times New Roman, 12pt font, double-spaced, .doc or .docx format. (Bonus points if you include page numbers.)

Ready to take your writing to the next level? Fill out this form or visit the Grammar Minute Fiverr storefront [COMING SOON].

FAQs

Q. What can Grammar Minute do that [insert name of friend or relative] can't?

Critique partners—such as your best friend from high school—give general edits from the perspective of a casual reader. That can be helpful if you're primarily interested in low-volume self-publishing, but if you want to write something that will appeal to writing professionals, you'll need editing that goes beyond the surface level. That's where I come in.

I've seen—and edited—a LOT of writing. We're talking self-help books, astrophysics articles, historical fiction novels, and plenty more. I know the common pitfalls, and when something just seems a little off, I can verbalize what's wrong and help guide a project in the right direction.

I've also been on the receiving end of red ink, both for my fiction and nonfiction. I know how intimidating critiques can feel, but I also know they're one of the most sure-fire ways to improve your writing. With these experiences in mind, I handle my red pen with gentleness and care so you'll get the maximum benefit from every edit.

Q. How does the purchase process work?

Simply fill out the form above, completing all required fields, indicating which service you'd like to purchase, and attaching your project document so I can estimate the word count. Upon project acceptance (which takes 1-2 days), I'll send you a price and a projected completion date. Please note that prices are NON-NEGOTIABLE, as I have to feed myself, my cats, and my caffeine addiction.

I accept payment via PayPal and Venmo. My work begins immediately upon payment receipt.

Q. I don't want to pay via Paypal or Venmo. What options do I have?

Grammar Minute editing and proofreading services are also available on Fiverr.com, where you can pay with your credit card. Warning: Prices are not the same, as Fiverr does not allow charging by word count. [COMING SOON]

Q. What's your privacy policy?

Your work is safe with me. I will not disclose information about your project to anyone for any reason.

Q. What happens if I submit a manuscript in 4pt font, PDF format?

I will have an extra cup of coffee to stabilize my blood pressure. Then I will delete the manuscript.

Q. I bought your query letter critique, but I was rejected by my dream agent. Can I get a refund?

It's important to remember that publishing is a subjective industry. Stephen King was rejected 80 times for Carrie—and that was after he got a literary agent. Unfortunately, I can't offer refunds on nonphysical items. Once my time is spent, it's spent, and I know more about writing than I do about time machines.

Please contact me if you're dissatisfied, and we'll work out a solution.

Q. What's the difference between a copy edit and a line edit?

Copy editing focuses on technical accuracy. Are your commas in the right places? Is everything spelled correctly? Are there any formatting errors?

Line editing is more attentive to style. It covers all the same technicalities as copy editing, and it answers questions like: Is the tone of the writing consistent? Does this word choice effectively convey the writer's message? Could this awkward sentence be re-worded?

Not quite ready for professional editing? Tune in to the Grammar Minute podcast first!