At The Ranting Raven, polishing up your manuscript—or dragging it into the sunlight, if necessary—is what I do. I’ve worked with a range of people and companies, including bestselling authors, big media magazines, small presses, marketers, ESL writers, and indies just starting out. Now it’s your turn.
What I Do
I’m a freelance writer and editor. I specialize in developmental editing with an editorial assessment and line and copy editing. I also offer specific writing services focused on plot structure and idea development.
For a current list of my editing services, click here.
For a current list of my writing services, click here.
What I Don’t Do
For each service, I have narrowed the genres I’m willing to accept. I know the limitations of my expertise.
I don’t shy away from dark subject matter or explicit sex or violence. I can edit erotica. After reading Swedish crime novels and fan fiction, as well as watching ‘edgy’ French movies, I think my tolerance level for the weird and screwed up is pretty darn high.
[Fair warning: If your writing resembles Brad Thor’s or John Ringo’s (hilarious but very long review), I may struggle to get through your manuscript. This has not happened yet.]
The Process
If this is your first time hiring a freelancer, don’t panic! I’ll break down the simple steps that I take to make sure the process goes as smoothly as possible:
1. You read this intro and the services I offer. If you think I can help you, then you fill out one of the forms and click submit. These forms in no way require you to hire me; they’re there so that I have an idea of the amount of time I’ll need to complete the project and to make sure I’ll be a good fit for your work.
2. We have an email conversation. We may complete a sample edit. We agree or not to work together.
3. We’ve agreed to work together! Yay! I provide a contract, and we both sign it. If you have an NDA you’d like to use, we include that. If you’d like me to provide an NDA, I include it.
4. After the contract is signed, I send you an invoice for half of the bill and book you on the calendar.
5. You pay the invoice and send me the documents needed by the date in the contract.
6. I do the required work.
7. I’m done! I send you the completed work. If revisions are included in the services, those take place here.
8. I send you an invoice for the second half of the payment, and you pay it.
DONE!
Try Me Out
For developmental and line / copy editing, and transcription services, I offer a free 1,000 word sample edit upon request. Just send me 1,000 words from somewhere in the middle of your story and I will edit them.
Payment
I use PayPal. You can use credit cards with PayPal even if you don’t have an account there.
Half of the payment is due upfront to reserve your time slot. I will send you an invoice when the contract is signed. After I have completed you project and sent it to you, I will send a second invoice for the second half of the payment due.
Cancellations & Refunds
As long as you notify me at least 96 hours beforehand, I will refund 100 percent of your down payment. For example, if the job is slated to begin April 30th, you would need to notify me on April 25th 11:59:59 EST at the latest to cancel and receive a refund.
If I have to cancel due to an emergency, I will refund you for whatever portion of the project I have not completed.
Time Zones
Speaking of times, I work in one! It’s Eastern Standard Time. Please be patient if you don’t hear back from me right away; I will respond promptly when awake.