Prices for editing, proofreading, branding and historical services

Freelance editorial rates.
Be confident in your choices.

a silver fountain pen resting on lined paper ready to ask proofreading questions
Whitby from the steps 2019

Editorial rates

How much does an editor cost in the UK?

Are you wondering how much a book editor costs, or the price of proofreading your business documentation or website? Editorial rates vary depending on the type of edit or proofread, or if you are hiring a professional writer.

You’re looking for someone to help you with your writing or branding, so obviously you want to know how much it will cost. But sometimes we don’t like asking, so below I’ve given a quick breakdown of my services.

I don’t just provide you with a great service – I give you confidence and free up your time.

You want to be confident with your writing

A professional editor can give you that confidence

You want to connect more with your audience

Let’s make sure your writing and storytelling is right for your readers

You want to look professional

Great writing gives you the edge

download my price guide

I help you feel confident with your writing

I love to HELP PEOPLE feel confident

We all have different strengths, and we aren’t all good at writing. So why not concentrate on your strengths and let a professional editor and writer make your writing the best it can be.

Are you a small/medium independent business in the UK struggling with your written content and branding consistency. Do you need writing or editing services, but don’t know where to start. Does your business have an interesting history that you’re keen to tell, but you don’t know how.

Or are you an author who needs professional editing services to help polish your writing?

You don’t need to leave it until you’re overwhelmed before you seek professional help – it’s really not as complicated or scary as you think.

I specialise in history, heritage and the arts, and help independent businesses, and authors, like you communicate effectively with a practical approach to your writing and branding.

The stories they tell. Elizabethan windows seen from a darkened room, with the landscape visible beyond

I GET IT, IT CAN BE SCARY WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW

I’m here to help

confident writer with a be happy mug

You can be proud of your writing

When you have your writing edited or proofread you are in complete control .

There’s a common misconception that editors wield a red pen (or a digital version) and slash apart your carefully constructed writing, leaving perfect prose that bears no resemblance to the original.

A trained editor will respect your voice, will take on board your preferences and will suggest changes that can be made to enhance your writing. If you ask we can tell you why changes should be made, but the final decision is yours. And at the end of the day, the text will still sound like you.

LET’S CONNECT

Greatly encouraged by Sara’s professional support and adhering to the salient points made,

Jo Elvery

“I am writing with a lot more care and more confidence.”

WANT TO WORK WITH ME?

HOW IT WORKS

A photo of Sara against a tree, in sepia

01.

We make contact

AND talk through what you need

After deciding what you need we’ll agree a start date, the length of time needed for the project and the price.

Then I send you the link to my Terms and Conditions page. You’ll find a booking form at the end of the page, which you fill in and submit. This provisionally books you into my schedule.

Shortly before the start date, I send you an invoice for the deposit.

02.

I get to work

this is where the magic happens

Once you’ve paid your deposit and sent me the text, or given me your writing or research brief, I get to work.

You might hear from me during the working stage, or I might keep any questions or comments until the end of the job. It will depend on what we are working on.

This is the bit where you sit back and relax.

  • laptop with room for your website edit
    • non-employee of the week mug

    03.

    The project is returned

    It’s time for you to look everything over

    If I’ve been editing for you you’ll get your document back in a couple of documents – one with Word’s tracked changes showing and one ‘clean’ where the changes have been accepted. This makes it easier for you to read.

    A proofread will have notes attached to your PDF, along with any queries that arise.

    If I’ve been working on an assessment for you, you’ll receive your report along with some practical advice on how to proceed.

    If I’ve been writing or researching for you there may only be one clean document or a number. It depends on what we’ve been up to.

    You’ll be able to answer any questions I’ve had and get back to me with any comments.

    Once you’re happy I’ll send you the final invoice.

    It’s that easy!

    LET’S CONNECT

    services

    coffee and cake for writing

    author services

    I’m a fully trained professional editor, and an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), so you’re in safe hands.

    Prices for self-publishing authors, or authors who would like to tidy up their book with an aim to send it to agents are as follows:

    Proofreading: starts at £25 per 1,000 words

    Copyediting: starts at £35 per 1,000 words

    Substantial editing / line editing: starts at £45 per 1,000 words



    Fees will vary according to the nature of the work, including project scope and size    . Please contact me and we can work through your requirements.

    Whitby from the steps 2019

    BUSINESS AND HISTORICAL SERVICES

    I provide copyediting, proofreading, copywriting, content writing and historical research services.

    I can also offer Plain English editing to help you ditch the jargon and create clear and concise writing.

    My day rate starts at £420.


    Flat fees will vary according to the nature of the work, including project scope and size.     Please contact me and we can work through your requirements.

    Historical storytelling services for business. A selection of historical manuscripts
    Brand books on a shelf

    BRAND BOOKS

    Each brand book is unique to your business.

    I’ll take your assets, brand voice and brand identity, and create a book of guidelines that you can use for years to come.

    I can also provide editorial style guides to help you, your employees and your freelancers stay consistent with your writing.

    Prices start from £250 for a basic one-page brand book, however it’s best to talk to me so we can tailor the package to your business needs.


    Haven’t got a clue about your fonts or colours because your designer didn’t give you the information, or you did it yourself and can’t remember? Don’t worry, I can find them for you!

    “We have found her very professional, with all our work requirements meeting the required deadlines for our leading worldwide clients, which include Cunard, Isle of Man Government, Brittany Ferries and P&O.”

    – MILES COWSILL, MANAGING DIRECTOR, LILY PUBLICATIONS

    QUICK EDITS AND ASSESSMENTS

    FIXED PRICE PACKAGES

    TRIAGE EDIT

    coffee, notebook, notepad, writing

    £25
    Per 1,000 Words

    For when ‘good enough’ is good enough
    £25 per 1000 words

    STRENGTHEN YOUR WEAKNESSES

    We’ll pick the three most important issues that need fixed … and fix them.

    A HUMAN EYE

    For when time, or budget, is tight. Better for shorter documents.

    A BUFF, NOT A POLISH

    Concentrate on what your audience will notice more.

    FULL ASSESSMENT

    copy editor

    From
    £750

    £750 for books up to 80k words, £950 for 80k–90k words. Think of this as a DIY developmental edit.

    COVERS

    Content, presentation and format.

    BIG PICTURE WRITING

    Pace, plot development, characterisation and voice.

    STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES

    Spelling, punctuation, grammar, language, structure and the overall writing of the book.

    MINI ASSESSMENT

    once upon a time

    £250

    An assessment of the first 10,000 words of your book.

    Covers a selection of the issues noted for the full critique. This is a great choice if you’re not sure how you’re getting on with your writing and want some guidance.

    STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES

    Spelling, punctuation, grammar, language, structure and the overall writing of the book.

    BIG PICTURE WRITING

    Pace, characterisation and voice.

    COVERS

    Content, presentation and format.

    Website Health Check

    laptop with room for your website edit

    5 page check-up £500 *
    1 page check-up £120 *

    Make sure your website gives a great user experience.

    feel confident that you’re sending the right message

    Is the writing on your website fit for purpose?

    A website health check will make sure your writing is effective, engaging and energised, keeping to your own unique voice.

    You’ll get a written report on your site (covering word use, jargon, spelling, grammar, punctuation, sense and useability), an edit of your text using Word’s Tracked Changes and suggestions for improvement.

    * (1000 words per page maximum.)

    Whitby seen from the church

    Do You Have Questions?

    Sara Donaldson | Northern Editorial

    A price range is often needed. Many factors add to the difficulty level of the job  e.g. the state of the writing, the subject matter, the level of writing (subject specialists vs general audience, academic text vs popular fiction) etc.

    This is why editors and proofreaders ask to see a sample of your text before committing to any work.

    As a rule of thumb a straightforward, well-written novel will take around 1,500–2,000 words per hour for a light copyedit, substantial editing and line editing can take around 1,000 per hour and a final proofread will be slightly quicker. Non-fiction depends on the complexity of the subject, but generally takes around 1,000 words per hour for a copyedit.

    Business editing varies due to subject matter and medium.

    With well over ten years experience I have a proven expertise in editorial, writing and historical services and have been working in the information field all my professional life (that’s over 30 years of training and enhanced skill sets). As an Advanced Professional Member of the CIEP I have broad editorial experience, backed up by client references, and a high level of skill – I’ve also been trained to a high standard, with ongoing CPD, and also train new editors and proofreaders.

    My rates are based on the CIEP suggested minimum rates and the ProCopywriters suggested rates, taking into account my expertise and training.

    Urgency – shorter deadlines will add to the cost of the project. Evening, weekend work and rush jobs will also attract a premium (even independent editors and writers need time off).

    It’s better to book in advance and avoid the extra charges!

    Scope creep – if you ask me to do work that was not agreed to in the initial quote / consultation, extra charges will be incurred. You will be advised of these before the work proceeds.

    There is a minimum charge of £50 for smaller jobs.

    Yes, and no.

    Artificial Intelligence can be great for helping you get your ideas down, and using software applications can help you make your writing better, but AI doesn’t have the human intelligence to detect the nuances of good writing and research.

    An in-depth answer to this question would need an essay. For now, hiring a human editor, proofreader or writer is the best guarantee of good writing that says what you want it to say.

    When we work together I will need clarification from you that you have not used AI to write your text.

    If you have used AI to help you draft or research your document I will bear that in mind, but I will not work on writing that has been written by Artificial Intelligence, for ethical reasons.

    CONTACT ME

    Let’s solve your problem

    A photo of Sara against a tree, wearing a stripey top.