You have a manuscript. I can improve it.

     All great writers use editors. You know that, or you would not be visiting my page. If you’ve got something to say but are having difficulty, you need a professional. I can help.

     Together, we can craft your document – whether it’s a novel, a business report, or an academic essay – into a winning piece that will hook an agent, your boss, or your professor.

     I provide timely, high quality work at reasonable rates. Guaranteed. My expertise in effective editing encompasses all genres of prose, business writing, and poetry. I specialize in working closely with ESL writers.

     An extensive business background – a classical education – experience as a world resident of seven countries on four continents – I offer the perfect fusion for unrivaled editorial services.

     Good text is easy to recognize. Creating it is not so simple. You need an editor and an artist. You need me.

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About me

Jake McPherson:

     I have a true love of learning, and I’m proud of my educational successes:

  • Master of Arts in Liberal Arts, St. John’s College, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 1996.
  • Royal Society of Arts Certification Pass B, International Teacher’s Training Institute, London, England, 1987.
  • Bachelor of Arts cum laude, Oklahoma Baptist University, Shawnee, Oklahoma, 1985.
  • Certificate of Completion Japanese Studies Program, Seinan Gakuin University, Fukuoka, Japan, 1984.

     I am a published writer, an award-winning poet and scholar, and a nationally honored public speaker. I presented a paper as a graduate student at an international conference.

     I have lived in Japan, Singapore, Australia, Thailand, England, and France, and I have traveled extensively. In the States, I’ve lived in Oklahoma, California, New Mexico, Hawaii, and Texas.

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Services include:

     I provide superior proofreading, copyediting, substantive editing, and coaching for the following:

  • fiction,
  • spiritual and New Age writing,
  • overcoming and living with mental illness and substance abuse,
  • works for the gay community,
  • ESL writers,
  • poetry,
  • travel writing,
  • résumés,
  • strategic business plans,
  • business policy manuals and recruiting copy,
  • consumer-product related copy and sales manuals, and
  • public speeches.

 

Proofreading: The editor reviews an already edited document for any remaining errors, typos, inconsistencies in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. This service is not intended to catch structural errors in the plot and other major inaccuracies.

 

Copyediting: The editor thoroughly edits the document for spelling, grammar, punctuation, style consistency, usage, and parallel structure. He rephrases awkward text and consults with the writer on anything of substance that may require change or clarification. This is the level of service most often required and requested.

 

Substantive Editing: The editor reorganizes and rewrites the document. He also thoroughly edits for spelling, grammar, punctuation, style consistency, usage, and parallel structure. He will consult with the writer to preserve the meaning and intent. Rather than choose to have the editor do much of this work, many writers choose coaching.

 

Coaching: The process here is different for each manuscript but includes detailed commentary at several phases while the writer revises and polishes, culminating in a final proofread.

 

What the client can expect: Your final product will be ready to deliver to your agent, your boss, or your professor. Successful manuscripts are thoroughly edited, rewritten, and edited again. Together, we will decide on the service required, and I will perform an initial edit. The client receives a commentary, a copy visibly showing corrections, and a copy incorporating those changes. The client revises the manuscript and forwards it back to me for a final edit. I can also assist with a query letter and synopsis.

 

All work is performed in Microsoft Word.

 

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Rates:

     Pricing is based on the number of words fixed by the “word count” tool found in Microsoft Word. (Poetry and résumés are exceptions.) All prices are as follows:

  • proofreading: $0.0075/word and $50 minimum,
  • copyediting: $0.015/word and $100 minimum,
  • substantive editing: $0.02/word and $150 minimum, and
  • coaching: negotiable.

     A 15% discount is applied to manuscripts over 75,000 words.

     I give honest service. If you are dissatisfied, the work will be corrected, or your money will be refunded.

 

     Are you unsure about my abilities or what service to request? Send me your document, and I will edit the first two or three pages at no charge and with no obligation for you to go any further. I’ll also tell you what I think needs to be done, and I’ll quote you a price for a full edit.