Editing Services
Welcome!
Below you can find an overview of my editing services and the prices. The prices are based on the rates reported by the EFA.
Please read all the information carefully.
You can find out more about the process here. Also read the FAQ to find out the answers to any questions you might have.
Don’t hesitate to contact me if you still have questions.
Editing services & prices
Developmental Editing
For when you need feedback & suggestions on your plot, characters, worldbuiding, voice, etc.
$46.- / hour
Line editing
For when you need editing for your flow, the clarity of your sentences, the fit with your target audience, etc.
$46.- / hour
Copy editing
For when you need your manuscript checked on grammar, syntax, consistency, etc.
$36.- / hour
Proofreading
For when you want your manuscript checked on minor errors such as spelling, typos, punctuation, formatting, etc.
$31.- / hour
Combination Line & Copy editing
For when you need your manuscript edited both on style and grammar.
$60.- / hour
Combination Copy editing & Proofreading
For when you need your manuscript checked both on major grammar errors and minor spelling errors.
$46.- / hour
How does it work?
1. You make an inquiry
You go to the form and answer the questions. You’ll be asked which editing service you’re interested in, what your story is about, and how long your story approximately is.
You’ll also be asked to upload the sample for the free sample edit.
2. I will contact you
Within a week, you’ll receive the sample edit along with the price estimate and the estimated timeline. Note that I might also decide that your work is not a good fit for me.
(If it takes longer than a week, please contact me.)
3. You decide
If you agree to the price and timeline, you can sign the provided contract and email this back to me.
If you decide you do not want to work with me, no problem! Please just let me know.
4. I get to work
After you’ve sent back the contract, I will send you the first invoice (25% of the estimated price). Once this initial fee is paid, I will get to work!
I aim to update you at least once a week on the progress (depending on how long the project takes).
Proofreading
From all the types of editing services, proofreading is the lightest one. You should pick proofreading if you need your manuscript checked on:
- spelling
- grammar
- punctuation
- typos
- missing words
- minor formatting issues
Choose this service if you feel confident about your manuscript and only want it checked for any lingering mistakes.
What will you get:
I will add comments and suggestions in the margin if applicable and use track changes to highlight the changes I made in your manuscript.
Want a combination?
This service can be combined with copy editing.
Want a sample?
I will happily provide a sample edit for your story (around 1000 words). Click the button below to request your sample edit.
Copy editing
Copy editing is a more thorough version of proofreading. It’s not just a final polish, but goes into more than just minor spelling mistakes.
Pick copy editing if you need your manuscript checked on:
- grammar
- syntax
- consistency
- factual accuracy
- spelling
- punctuation
- typos
This is especially perfect if you want to self-publish and just need help polishing your manuscript.
What will you get:
I will add comments and suggestions in the margin if applicable and use track changes to highlight the changes I made in your manuscript.
Want a combination?
This service can be combined with either line editing or proofreading.
Want a sample?
I will happily provide a sample edit for your story (around 1000 words). Click the button below to request your sample edit.
What Clients Say
Line editing
Line editing is editing at a sentence and paragraph level. This is especially great if you feel the flow of your story is off or have doubts about the clarity of your sentences.
Pick line editing if you need your manuscript checked on:
- word choice
- flow
- ambiguity
- repetition
- activeness of your writing style
- parallelity of your sentences
- redundancy
- fit with target audience
- readability of the sentences and paragraphs
This is especially perfect if you want to self-publish and just need help polishing your manuscript.
What will you get:
I will add comments and suggestions in the margin if applicable and use track changes to highlight the changes I made in your manuscript.
Want a combination?
This service can be combined with copy editing.
Want a sample?
I will happily provide a sample edit for your story (around 1000 words). Click the button below to request your sample edit.
Developmental editing
With the developmental editing service, you’ll get a very in-depth critique of your story. This is a great option if you want to improve your story on:
- the plot structure (including possible subplots)
- the progression of the stakes
- character development
- worldbuilding (if applicable)
- pacing
Got your first draft ready and have no idea how to even begin editing?
Read through your story and feel like it’s missing something but not sure what?
Got some critiques by beta-readers about your plot, characters, etc., but have no idea how to fix it?
Then developmental editing is the service you’re looking for.
What you will get:
You will get your manuscript back with a report that details my thoughts on the points outlined above. And not only will I point out what you can improve, I will also give you:
- suggestions for how you can improve these points
- teach some of the basic principles I use, so you will know what to do
- links to articles or books that will help you improve your skills.
Your manuscript will also have comments where I specify or clarify some of the points I raise in the report, or where I give some suggestions for phrasings. This isn’t an edit where I look for issues in grammar or spelling, but if I come across any errors, I will change these with the track-change option. Moreover, if some of these errors happen consistently, I will let you know in the report or in the comments and show you how to fix them.
Want a sample?
I will happily provide a sample edit for your story (around 1000 words). Click the button below to request your sample edit.
What Clients Say
Who Am I?
Hi there!
As you may have guessed, my name is Iris Marsh (it’s the name of the website, after all).
Why choose me as your editor?
I’m not just an editor; I’m a writer, too. I’ve got years of writing experience, where I’ve taken every course, book, and masterclass I could find to improve both my writing and my editing skills.
I’ve worked as an editor for a Dutch company, and I’m currently working as a freelance editor for both Dutch and English writers, helping them bring their book to the next level. And I’ve already helped numerous authors (and you can see some of their reviews here).
What content do I edit?
While my main focus is books, you can also use my editing services for short stories, blog posts, and magazine articles.
For books and short stories, the genres I specialize in are:
Fantasy
Sci-Fi
Thriller
Nonfiction self-help
Nonfiction academic (in the field of psychology)
For blogs and magazine articles, I have the most expertise in:
Arts (books, music, paintings, etc.)
Psychology
Education and child development
Spirituality
Not yet convinced?
I will happily provide a sample edit for your story (around 1000 words). Just click the button below.
Don't believe my word for it...
FAQ
If you live within the EU, you can choose to pay with a banktransfer, credit card, or paypal.
If you live outside of the EU, you can pay with a credit card or paypal.
Yes, you need to sign a contract for any of the services you choose. This is both to protect you, as a buyer, and me, as a seller. Simply put, the contract is there to make sure I get paid and to make sure you get a satisfactory service.
If you really want to work with me but can’t pay the full amount, please contact me. We can try to work out a different payment plan.
You can chose between Word or Google docs, whichever works best for you.
This depends on the length of your manuscript and how busy I am at that given moment. Generally, if your manuscript is below 10k, I can finish it within a few days, whereas a manuscript closer to 80k can take me anywhere between 2 or 4 weeks. I will always give you a time estimate in advance.
I can edit for any genre, but my specialities are:
- non-fiction self-help
- non-fiction academic in the field of psychology
- fantasy
- science-fiction
- thriller
- crime
Work with me
To receive an estimated quote, timeline, and a sample edit, please press the button below. You will be taken to a form, where you can also upload your sample (around 1000 words).