Editing Services

Editing Services...

Looking for an editor? I am a member of CEN: Christian Editor Network. Members of CEN are required to pass rigorous tests before acceptance into this nationwide organization.

What kind of experience would I bring to your project?

I am the author of five full-length novels filled with “faith, flip-flops, and waves of grace.” I have also written hundreds of articles for publications, such as Expecting, The Ventura County Star, Decision, Focus on the Family Magazine, and Christian Retailing, and for three years I ghosted articles for executives in the insurance and banking industries for a variety of trade journals. Additionally, I have edited books for Barna Research, Regal, and individual authors; I am the newsletter editor for the Christian Author Network (CAN), and a judge for the ACFW Genesis contest for aspiring novelists.

Here are a couple more things from the brag sheet:

AWARDS
Recipient of awards for fiction and non-fiction from The National League of American Pen Women
Two-time Carol Award Finalist

ENDORSEMENTS
Julie’s work is always on target on the technical side, but the gift a writer brings to editing is a deeper look that breeds suggestions to make the material even better.
~ Kim Bangs, Author Relations/Contract Manager, Regal Books

I found Julie Carobini’s work to be knowledgeable, well-informed, and completely thorough. She actually did more than I asked her to do, going the extra mile to ensure a satisfactory text.
~ Daniel Navarro, Author of Navarro’s Silent Film Guide

Julie has an acute eye and excellent attention for details that can bring together the shining moments of any project.
~Bonnie S. Calhoun, Publisher, Christian Fiction Online Magazine, and VP of Christian Authors Network

I would be thrilled to help you polish and perfect your project too! With that in mind, here are the services I currently offer:

PROOFREADING
Proofreading takes place after the copyedit and is the final step before publication. Proofreading involves catching last-minute spelling, punctuation, and formatting errors, as well as incorrect word usage, grammatical problems, inconsistent format (including Scriptural references), and capitalization.

Proofreading cost: $2.00 per page

COPYEDITING
Copyediting is more than proofreading. While I will read your project to find errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar, I will also focus on word choice, redundancies, logical flow, and clarity. I will make note of inaccuracies (including Scripture references), and will review consistency of style and tone. For non-fiction works, I will cross-check your references, figures, tables, equations, etc. For fiction, I will watch for point-of-view shifts and make suggestions accordingly. If I find items that may require permission from a copyright holder, I will point that out. As your copy editor, I will point out problems such as awkward or unclear sentences and make suggestions or give guidance for improvement. The aim here is to help your “baby” shine even brighter.

Copyediting cost: $4.00 – $7.00 per page
(I will copyedit a two page sample for free and give you a firm page cost. Basic edits will be no more than $4.00 per page; if more in-depth editing is needed, the cost per page will be higher. Development editing available as my schedule allows, at a higher rate. Please let me know if you think this is what your project needs. Thanks!)

FICTION PROPOSAL CRITIQUE SERVICE
With so much competition in the marketplace, budding novelists need a strong proposal to catch an editor’s attention. I’ll critique your fiction proposal, analyze your novel’s hook, and provide basic copyediting. If your proposal needs substantive work, I will provide questions and comments to help you better understand where improvements are necessary.

Fiction Proposal Critique Cost: $75 for up to 15 pages; $4.50 per each additional page.

A few more things for you to know:

RESOURCES I USE
The Chicago Manual of Style, Sixteenth Edition
The Christian Writer’s Manual of Style
Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary
Polishing the “PUGS” (Punctuation, Usage, Grammar, and Spelling) by Kathy Ide

MY AFFILIATIONS
American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW)
Christian Author Network (CAN)
Christian Editor Network (CEN)
Romance Writers of America (RWA)
The Christian PEN: Proofreaders and Editors Network

PAYMENT: To determine the level of editing your manuscript needs, I offer a free, two-page sample edit. When I return the sample to you, I will include a project fee and estimated turnaround. The sample is not necessary for proofreading or critiquing projects (unless you would like to request one). I accept major credit cards and electronic checks through PayPal. (You do not need your own PayPal account to use this service.) I require payment in advance; however, I am happy to work on blocks of your pages at a time to give your payment schedule better manageability.

How do we begin?
Please email me at julie (at) juliecarobini (dot) com before sending your pages so that I can block off time for your project. Let me know the genre (for fiction) or target audience (for non-fiction), as I do not work with all markets. A page is considered 250 words. Once we’ve agreed to work together, I will use the Track Changes feature in Microsoft Word so that you can clearly see what needs to be done. Simple, no? If you have questions, feel free to email me at the address above. I look forward to hearing from you!

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Writing Tips...

Writing is work…oh, but I love it! If you do too, then read on for some recommendations for your writing journey.

Read. I hope you keep books in your car for those lulls during your daughter’s gymnastics practice or while waiting for your dentist appointment. Fill your senses with the written word, both inside and outside of the genre you seek to write, anytime you can. Reading awakens and stirs up my own creative bent, and if you’re a writer, it will do the same for you.

Go to writer’s conferences. I know they can be expensive, but our God is extravagantly generous. When my teen son was a baby, I just didn’t have the resources to attend a week-long conference. Then “out of the blue” I was invited to participate in that sought-after conference—for free. It’s a long story, but to this day I’m grateful for the way God answered the prayer for provision.  Through conferences I have made lifelong friends, I’ve met editors who contact me with assignments, and of course, I’ve learned much about writing and marketing. Find a way—some conferences offer grants—and go!

Get the guides. If you’re interested in writing for inspirational markets, then pick up a copy of Sally Stuart’s Christian Writer’s Market Guide and for general markets, Writer’s Digest puts out the Writer’s Market. Both books are chock-full of info to get you started.

Surf for resources. If you write fiction, consider joining the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), a community of both seasoned and new authors. Great opportunities for learning, networking, and fun! Also be sure to follow the CAN (Christian Authors Network) Blog for some SUPER marketing advice, and ~ ooh-la-la ~ RWA (Romance Writers of America) also has terrific resources for novelists at all stages.

Keep up the good work, and don’t lose heart. You’re on your way…