Homunculus Editing Services

[derekprior]

I posted some time ago about the editing services I've been offering to indie authors since the beginning of 2010.

Things have gone much better than I anticipated and I've been fortunate to work with some great indie authors, all of whom have been extremely hard working and collaborative in the process of improving their manuscripts.

I've been lucky enough to have bookings up until mid February 2011 for major edits and, as a result, I've cut back on my personal training work so that I can concentrate on full-time editing and writing.

I've taken on a new accountant and have set up a web page detailing the services. It's actually on a blog platform as I'm not a techie, but that makes it easy for me to post the occasional thought and to have some of my clients post testimonials about their experience with the service.

I know that a lot of writers are wary of parting with their hard-earned cash for editing and that some writers have little or no experience of the process. Therefore, I've included two new services: the First Page Edit and The First Five Pages, both of which give clients a chance to see my thoughts on the page. They can then either use any insights to improve their own self-editing or they may decide to go for a full edit. There is a small cost for these services too, but it's far less of a financial risk than forking out for an editing package for a large manuscript.


I hope others will find this useful, and may I offer a huge thank you to all the writers who've had enough trust in me to make use of my services this year.

http://homunculuseditingservices.blogspot.com/

[foreverjuly]

FYI: I'm seeing a broken image link for your avatar.

[derekprior]

FYI: I'm seeing a broken image link for your avatar.

Thanks. I'm not sure where that went. I think I've fixed it.

[derekprior]

I still have two slots for simple edits (proofing or comments based) between now and the New Year.

Full Line Edits and Literary Edits are booked until February 16th.

All queries to my IM or you can send me an email. See Homunclus Editing site for details.

[derekprior]

I have four booking for early 2011 now, thanks to all concerned.

You can IM/email me with all editing queries. I'm especially seeking clients for the full literary edit from April 2011 onwards. This is particularly appropriate for those with first drafts who need help with structure, revision, pace, voice etc. This is the most satisfying editing work as it involves close collaboration with the author and multiple scourings of the text in all its forms.

I'm hoping to persuade some of the authors I've worked with recently to share their experiences both on this thread and on the Homunculus Editing Services site.

[Valmore Daniels]

Right now I'm about halfway through a Full Literary Edit with Derek on my upcoming release, Angel Fire. 

It's a very intensive, thorough, and exhaustive process . . . and worth every penny.  Derek is a literary lifesaver and has helped me in ways I couldn't even have imagined. In addition to his editing acumen, he is extremely kind and supportive when suggesting changes or rewrites.

At the very least, if you need a solid proofreading or an extensive critique, I highly recommend him.

I, for one, will continue to use his services whenever possible.

[David 'Half-Orc' Dalglish]

I'm one of the reasons he's booked up until April.  He did a great job on Dance of Cloaks, and he'll be giving book 5 a makeover as well.

David Dalglish

[derekprior]

Thanks for your kind words Valmore and David. It's been great working with you both.

[derekprior]

I can still accept the 1 page and 5 page sample edits and may be able to fit in one more simple copy edit/proofing before March.

Literary and full line edits are booked until May, but if a slot becomes available (sometimes there are delays with authors finishing drafts), I'll post here.

I am accepting bookings from mid-May.

If you have any questions, please PM me.

Rates and services are listed at: http://homunculuseditingservices.blogspot.com/

Happy Christmas everyone!

[MosesSiregarIII]

Hi Derek, I'm curious how this one would work:

Editorial Review - $0.001 per word

I'll read your entire manuscript with the eyes of a reviewer and then focus on the strengths in order to provide you with an effective editorial review for use with your book's listing. This service is not concerned with corrections, although I may flag up obvious typos.

Thanks!

[derekprior]

Hi Derek, I'm curious how this one would work:

Editorial Review - $0.001 per word

I'll read your entire manuscript with the eyes of a reviewer and then focus on the strengths in order to provide you with an effective editorial review for use with your book's listing. This service is not concerned with corrections, although I may flag up obvious typos.

Thanks!

Thanks, Moses.

This is something I write for inclusion in a book's listing. It's not quite the same as a standard book review as I'm obviously concerned with highlighting the strengths of the book for promotional purposes. Often writers do this themselves, but I've had a few requests for help in this area.

[derekprior]

I'm just coming to the end of my sixth edit in the last four months. One more to go before I get a week or two off.

My eyes are bleeding from all the reading (there's a poem in there) but it's been a thoroughly enjoyable few months. I've worked with some fantastic indie authors, all of whom have been tremendously hardworking and have been excellent communicators. Each writer has had their own style, preferences, and their own unique voice. My job has been to correct, polish, and suggest without interfering with that individual quality. Editors should be neither seen nor heard.

Four of the books are already on sale and I look forward to seeing the others out there soon.

Thanks to the authors concerned for working with me and for making it so much fun.

[sibelhodge]

I'd like to say a big thanks to Derek for his editing service. He is very thorough and helpful. He will work with you and make suggestions without imposing his own ideas. I will definitely be using him for my next one. Derek rocks! 

[derekprior]

I'd like to say a big thanks to Derek for his editing service. He is very thorough and helpful. He will work with you and make suggestions without imposing his own ideas. I will definitely be using him for my next one. Derek rocks! 

Thanks, Sibel. It was a pleasure working with you. It made me look at a new genre and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Good luck with the new book.

I've just finished my seventh edit (I've been working on this one for weeks). Should be released in February, I believe - the latest offering from Valmore Daniels.

[derekprior]

I've refined my list of services based upon demand and suggestions from authors:

http://homunculuseditingservices.blogspot.com/

There are now fewer services to choose from, hopefully simplifying matters.

The biggest change is that the light copy edit and single readthrough with comments have been combined into one. The main reason is that I find it impossible not to comment anyway (even if only working on copy) and I can't help correcting errors even when only working on comments. I used this approach on Sibel Hodge's latest book (at Sibel's request) and it worked very well. Due to the additional work, this service costs $0.004 per word (each service previously cost $0.003 per word).

I've also added some suggestions for what to do once a light edit like this is completed and, for those who would benefit from the more advanced edits (line and literary), you now have the option of upgrading following a light edit and deducting the initial cost.

I hope that's helpful and goes someway towards meeting people's needs.

I'm open to any more suggestions.

[Lynn ODell]

The main reason is that I find it impossible not to comment anyway (even if only working on copy) and I can't help correcting errors even when only working on comments. I'm open to any more suggestions.

This is exactly what I was saying on the other thread.    Glad I'm not the only 'opinionated' person.   

[derekprior]

This is exactly what I was saying on the other thread.    Glad I'm not the only 'opinionated' person.   

No, but we are a dying breed!

It's good to see you offering editing services now. The more accessible editing is for indies, the better the books are going to get. I suspect you are going to need a pair of bionic eyes, what with all the reading for review you do as well!

[derekprior]

I now have a free slot for February due to a postponement. If you need an editor, please feel free to contact me. Rates are available to view on the webpage, along with recent editing portfolio.


http://homunculuseditingservices.blogspot.com/


All the best.


Derek

[derekprior]

Just to let you know, I'm now fully booked for March, April and May as far as major edits are concerned. I can still squeeze in sample edits (the first five pages) though.

Please see the website for details. You are also welcome to PM me with any queries.

Thanks!

[derekprior]

I've updated the Homunculus Editing Services webpage and posted a new blog re the authors I've worked with over the past year.

[MosesSiregarIII]

I've updated the Homunculus Editing Services webpage and posted a new blog re the authors I've worked with over the past year.

That was really cool, man. Thanks for the mention. I appreciate your comments.

[derekprior]

You're welcome, Moses.

[sibelhodge]

Thanks, Derek. Your link is also on my site

[derekprior]

Thanks, Sibel!

[David 'Half-Orc' Dalglish]

Hoohah, first mention!