Editing Services
Editing varies widely, but the basic service offered consists of clear components
- Grammar, hyphenation, and capitalization
- Continuity
- Proper use of numbers
- Hyphenation
- Identification of pace, rhythm, and flow issues
- Identification of show versus tell issues
- Problematic word choices and stereotyping
- Consistency of character traits or behavior
My rates are between .01 and .02 per word for a copy/line edit for fiction. For nonfiction or memoir that involves research and fact checking my rate is between .02 and .03 per word. Price is subject to a review of a five-page sample of your work. I will return the five pages to you edited free of charge to see if we are a good fit for each other. We can discuss scheduling your project at that time.
My copy/line edit will include both an initial edit and final proofread after you have reviewed your file and accepted, rejected, or made other changes as you deemed necessary. I edit using Word with track changes. I use the comments feature to make suggestions and ask for clarification of ambiguities. If your story length increases by five percent after the first edit, you will be charged for additional editing. I am versed in both CMOS and AP Style guides. I can provide references upon request.
For court-related scoping work, please contact me for a rate sheet.
Projects
April was able to not only keep the grammar in line, but worked with the distinct voices of three middle-grade characters. I tend to get caught up in scenes that need a little more flushing out to permit the reader to see what I imagine; she was able to identify those areas and help me clarify with just a few words.
– Kevin A Davis – Miss Fitz’s Classroom of Arcane Magics: The Gray Domain.
April is an amazing editor. I’ve had the pleasure of working with her and she is meticulous in her work and what she does. Each project gets individual attention. As a paranormal investigator I was focused on documenting my experiences when I wrote each story. Her suggestions and research really helped me add some depth to my book. I am looking forward to working with April again.
– Denise Burroughs – When Spirit Speaks
Having worked with A. Balsamo on several projects, what I most appreciate are her judicious edits. Rather than making edits simply to be doing something, she makes only those that indeed improve my writing and the story. Also, respectful of my distinct writing style, she allows my voice to come across without trying to change it into something not me.
– A.R.R. Ash
About April Balsamo
After college graduation in 1984 I started working in the public affairs section of a major market radio station in Miami. My duties were writing and editing public service announcements and advertising copy.
In 1985, I moved into the legal arena as a court reporter, editing the spoken word in court and deposition transcripts. I remained in that field until 2018. My experience with editing the spoken word makes me uniquely qualified to edit your story with special attention to maintaining the author’s voice. I still do editing/scoping, and proofread for court reporters when time permits using Eclipse software.
In 2019, I completed additional courses to transition into the world of freelance editing for authors. I have been continuously employed since that time. I have edited full-length novels, short stories, and several anthologies. My focus is genre fiction in the topics of fantasy, horror, mystery and paranormal nonfiction.
Current Professional Affiliations:
EFA – Editorial Freelancers Association
ACES – The Society for Editing
NCRA – National Court Reporters Association
Contact
Email me to discuss your project and my present availability.
Author Resources
Author Resources
When you are submitting a manuscript to a publisher, always pay close attention to their requirements. If you do not follow their format guidelines, your submission may be rejected without being read. If no specific format is specified, use the Shunn format. This is the most accepted format. This link contains tabs for all submission types, from short story to novel.
https://www.shunn.net/format/introduction.html
When editing fiction, I exclusively use the Chicago Manual of Style and the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Picking up a hard copy of each is a good idea. Chicago Manual of Style is available online with a subscription fee, if you are so inclined. https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html
Merriam-Webster is free online and has a quick search for synonyms if you are looking for an alternative word to an overused one.
https://www.merriam-webster.com
If you are writing for a newspaper, magazine, corporate, or legal, the Associated Press Style book is your guide. You can pick up a copy where books are sold. They also have an online subscription available.