The Suspense of It All! discussion

Proof Reading Service for Self-Pub Authors

My Premium Service includes these steps:

I will check for spelling errors (including ‘wrong word’ choices), and mark sentences/phrases that I find awkward.
I will offer suggestions on how to correct awkward sentences: structure, basic grammar, phrasing, etc.
I will flag Point of View and Narrative Tense issues.
I will ask questions that a reader might ask and want answered within the book.
I will give my overall impression of your manuscript and my opinion on its readiness for publication.

I will not do any fact checking, and will assume that all research has been done.
I will NOT try to change the style or tone of your manuscript. If your writing style is formal, it will stay formal. If you write in Third Person Omniscient, that is how it will stay.
I will NEVER insist that you make any of the changes I suggest.

Additional Services at negotiated prices:
Work closely with a new/enthusiastic author to not only polish a manuscript, but teach some fundamental writing and self-editing skills.
Light fact checking on real world places and/or events that are mentioned or related in story. (This does not include checking the science on Sci-Fi.)
Check formatting of various files after conversion to various formats. (e.g. mobi, PDF, ePub, etc.)

Prices:
$45.00 (minimum charge) for up to the first 30,000 words. (That's .0015¢ per word.)
(Even tighter Budget? Ask about Basic and Limited Proofreading Services!)

This minimum must be received prior to return of the manuscript.
.0015¢ for each additional word over 30,000.
For manuscripts over 150,000 words, a fee of $50 will be added for committing to work on an extra long piece.

$20 Re-Read after edits have been made.
I can do a very basic proof read if you want me to double check for any missed/new errors after I have already read your manuscript, or if you have a 'final draft' after working with a professional editor. See special circumstances.

All payments will be facilitated through PayPal.

Special Circumstances:
In the event a large number of markups are needed (i.e. 20 or more pages with 6 or more edit suggestions or verified/justified errors, on one page) the price per page increases on a sliding scale, which will be defined in our contract agreement. If this becomes apparent, you will be notified and given the opportunity to reconsider the project. (There will be no surprises at project completion.)

Conversely, if I only find 6-10 errors in an entire manuscript, I will reduce the minimum charge to $40.00. If I find 5 or less, I will only charge $20. If I find zero errors, I will not charge for the reading, because zero errors mean I was having too good a time reading your fabulous story and I wasn’t doing my job!

Try Me Out: Upon request, I will read and mark one chapter (any chapter, up to 10 pages) for free, to help you determine whether you want to hire me.

A note on my qualifications: While I don't have a piece of paper granting me a degree in literature, I have been a writer for three decades. I have attended literally dozens of classes and workshops on the writing craft. I have studied with teachers, professors, and successful writers, including the likes of Nora Roberts, Lisa Jackson, and Debbie Macomber, to name a few. I have learned and practiced all elements of the writing craft, from story development to sentence structure to proofing.

I have a keen eye for spotting errors in manuscripts and do not rely on spellcheck or other auto-checking software. I have found mistakes that have slipped by professional editors and teams of beta readers. Analyzing texts and puzzling out how to say it better is a compulsion which I happen to enjoy.

I have set my prices so low in order to make my services accessible to cash-strapped self-pub and 'indie' authors, because I believe proof reading is an important and vital tool that ought to be used before every book gets published.

Give me a try!

Kristi Cramer is more than a proofreader. Yeah, she finds typos that spell check whizzes past. She corrects wrong words the author’s eyes fail to see. She flags awkward sentence structure that stops the reader dead in his/her tracks. But Kristi Cramer goes far beyond typical proofreading. Drawing from years of writing, proofing and editing peer’s novels as well as her own, Kristi suggests stronger action verbs and better metaphors that will give your story the punch it needs and deserves. She calls attention to disruptive Points of View changes, character and plot inconsistencies and much more. And she does it all without being cold and snarky. Kristi takes a genuine interest in making your novel the best it can be. Whether you are writing a short story, a novella or a full-length novel, you owe it to yourself and your manuscript to employ the proofreading services of Kristi Cramer. Kristi made a difference in my latest novel. She can help you too.

Calvin Dean, Author
The Epitaph of Jonas Barloff
A Door Unlocked
The Rookie Umpire (a short story)

I have made a few minor changes to my pricing structure, and have hopefully clarified my offer. If you haven't considered me for your project, please do. I've still got a short waiting list, so don't wait too long to decide!

I will certainly keep this in mind. Sounds very helpful and reasonably priced too!! :)