Inventing Reality: A Guide to Writing Science Fiction
Manuscript editing services
If you’re a writer with a manuscript or journalism article in need of proofreading and editing, send it my way. Having your story proofread or edited before submitting it can prove invaluable. In a publishing world where your story faces heavy competition, pieces need a second eye to make sure they are more marketable and to give them the edge. Even if your story is never published, having that second eye can provide insights that help you master your craft.
My name is Rob Bignell. I am neither a literary agent nor a publisher and will not offer such services as they would represent a conflict of interest. No referral fees are paid to me by any agent or publisher, and I do not pay others to recommend me. Finally, I do not offer manuscript typing services.
My experience
n More than 20 years as an award-winning journalist, with half of those years spent as an editor
n Most recently news editor at a Greater Los Angeles area newspaper and columnist for the monthly British magazine Alien Worlds
n Several published short stories in the literary and science fiction genres
n Seven years as an English teacher and current community college journalism instructor
n Masters degree in English and bachelors in journalism and English
n See a list of books I've proofread/edited that have been published
Levels of service
n Proofreading - Simple reading of a piece for spelling, punctuation, capitalization and grammar; corrections will be made on the manuscript sent
n Editing for content - Reading for plot, setting, character, point of view, thematic and style matters; a summary discussing those matters will be sent to you. Proofreading is not included.
n Full edit - Both proofreading and editing for content
Fees (per piece):
Resume
n Proofreading - $10
Article (for newspaper or magazine) or academic paper
n Proofreading - $25
n Editing for content - $35
n Full edit - $45
Short story (up to 10,000 words)
n Proofreading - $30
n Editing for content - $50
n Full edit - $70
Novella (10,001-40,000 words)
n Proofreading - $60
n Editing for content - $80
n Full edit - $120
Novel (40,001-80,000 words)
n Proofreading - $100
n Editing for content - $150
n Full edit - $225
Long novel (80,001-150,000 words)
n Proofreading - $150
n Editing for content - $200
n Full edit - $300
Manuscripts more than 150,000 words (150,001 words and higher)
n Proofreading - $200
n Editing for content - $225
n Full edit - $400
What you’ll receive for those fees:
n Marked-up/corrected manuscript OR changes made directly to manuscript if sent electronically
n Written critique of work - My critique will be courteous and professional, not written in a degrading tone. I’ll also point out what works and what you’re doing right.
n See a sample of how I'll edit your work
Testimonials
"Thanks to your editing, I've got three literary agents and a publishing house interested in my work." - Sammy J., Palo Alto, Calif.
"I'm going to put you in my rolodex and use you again!" - Lloyd K., Whittier, Calif.
"Just wanted you to know that the resume you proofread got me the interview. Thanks!" - Alice S., Portland, Ore.
What is my turnaround time?
For each piece sent, expect about a week on short stories, two weeks on novellas and three weeks on novels. I typically return pieces much sooner than these time periods but like to give conservative timeframes in case other issues arise (illness, funerals, computer motherboard fries out, etc.)
Are the fees reasonable?
In all honesty, they’re a little high for short stories (primarily because I have experience publishing in this area and because most manuscript editors won’t bother with them) but extremely reasonable for novels. Many manuscript editors will charge you several hundred dollars to edit a novel.
How to contract my services?
You may send a story via email or snail mail. In either case, include a cover level specifying which level of service you desire and the word count of the piece to be proofread or edited. Multiple pieces may be sent, but note that the fee schedule listed above is per piece. So, if you send two short stories for proofreading, the total cost is $60, or $30 per piece. In addition, if you resend a piece for another edit after I’ve edited it, the costs above are applied again. Payment must be made in advance of any services.
You can reach me via email. Please paste the text of your manuscript into the body of the email; attachments are accepted only if they are Word documents.
You can reach me via snail mail at 43857 Rimvale Ave., Lancaster, CA 93534. Please include a SASE with sufficient postage for the return of your manuscript.
In what format should I send my manuscript?
Send it as if you were mailing it to a human resources department, editor, literary agent or publisher. If your piece is a short story or novel, it should be typed in 10 or 12 pt. Times or Courier font, double-spaced with one-inch margins on white paper. Your use of manuscript form is part of the critique (unless you’ve just contracted me for proofreading). No onion-skin paper, diskettes or hand-written pieces, please.
