I read books. I correct books. I read more books.

Book Editing Services

Are you looking for a book editor for hire? Check out my book editing services, including copyediting and line editing, proofreading for authors, and manuscript evaluations. Plus I offer beta reading services for authors who need a second pair of eyes on their book!

Lynda Dietz | Professional Book Editor for Hire

My Book Editing Services

 

First, let's figure out exactly what we can do to polish your project.

Upon receipt of your full manuscript, I’ll choose a random portion and will edit 500–1000 words, free of charge. If you prefer a longer sample, I offer paid sample edits of 5000 words for $35. Should you choose to book for a full edit, the $35 will be deducted from your total cost.

You'll receive an estimate based on the evaluation, with an explanation of charges. Pricing will be in accordance with the amount of labor involved, based on a 250-word-per-page industry standard. All US edits will be done with the Chicago Manual of Style unless a particular style guide is required for your project. All pricing is in accordance with the Editorial Freelancers Association.

Payment methods accepted: PayPal, Venmo, Zelle

PLEASE NOTE: I will edit and beta most genres, but I don't accept poetry, erotica, or books which have explicit sex scenes; I don’t read these genres and therefore don’t feel I’m the best qualified person to edit them. In the case of abuse/sexual abuse/torture scenes, if you have any question as to whether your content falls into this category, please disclose a content warning and the context of it so I can choose to accept the job or not.

Nonnegotiable items include cultural insensitivity, racism, bigotry, and hatred toward anyone because of religion, disabilities, ethnicity/race, culture, sexuality, or any other reason people think it’s okay to be hateful. Just keep it moving, please. There’s another copyeditor out there for you.

 
 

 
 

Full Line Edit and Copyedit Package

Looking for line editing or copyediting services? I pride myself in accuracy and catching the grammatical errors you’ve missed.

My Copyediting and Line Editing Services Include:

  • Two passes of line editing and copyediting

  • A free “final look” through your formatted manuscript

 
 

 
 

Beta Reading Services

If you need a beta reader, I offer affordable beta reading services. This is the best option if you’re not sure if your manuscript is ready for a full edit.

My Beta Reading Package Includes:

  • Affordable rates

  • Two full manuscript read-throughs

  • Answering any questions you have

  • A writeup of my impression of your book

 
 

 
 

Proofreading Services

I’d love to be a proofreader for your book! I offer affordable proofreading services for authors to make sure your novel is fully polished and ready for the publishing process.

My Manuscript Proofreading Services Include:

  • Catching surface problems after formatting

  • Fixing spelling inconsistencies

  • Fact-checking your work

 
 

 
 

If you want to double check that my book editing services are what you need, I offer affordable partial manuscript evaluations.

My Partial Manuscript Evaluations Include:

  • Evaluating up to 20K words

  • An informed report on things like story flow, plot development, and your writing style

 
 

 
 

I also offer other editing services, including proofreading and copyediting for blog posts, newsletters, book blurb development, query letters, and more!

My Miscellaneous Editing Services Include:

  • Ensuring your copy is clean and grammatically correct

  • Providing feedback on things like confusing sentences and paragraph flow

 
 

 
 

Book Formatting & Design

Though I don’t offer these services, I have a couple trusted professionals I can recommend.

  • Darrell Haemer

    • Darrell is a digital designer: branding, book layout and formatting, architectural renovations, motion graphics, interior design, spreadsheets, you name it—even audio and music production. He’s also an author, so your book is in good hands.

 
 
  • Amy Livinsgstone

    • Amy is the founder of Sacred Art Studios and is an interdisciplinary artist. One of the ways she expresses her art is through book design, inside and outside. Whether you need formatting and design, original cover art, a map, or something else, you can find it with Amy.

 

A final word

There will be a 25% upcharge for any "rush" work with a tight deadline. The definition of "tight" depends on the size of the work, the heaviness of the edit, and the deadline itself. Any shorter work that’s needed in 48 hours or sooner constitutes a rush job. Any longer work needed in under a week’s time is a rush job.

Please note that there is no way to guarantee 100% error-free work, although I’ll make a heroic effort to come as close as possible. The accepted industry margin for error is 5%—that is, a copyeditor will catch 95% of all possible errors. Most competent professionals have an error rate of 2% or less. Even so, perfection is unrealistic and a promise that I (and other professionals) should not make.