How to Use Inquiry Editing, LLC
This begins the third year of Inquiry Editing, LLC. I’m thrilled to share more information, book reviews, and newsletters with you. I am also excited to continue working as an editor.
It strikes me that a lot of folks may not know how to use my services. Certainly, the website has useful descriptors. But, I do want to provide some information other than what is there.
Just in case you don’t know though: I have four main services. First, there is developmental editing, where I take a look at the major components of your manuscript. This is most useful for folks who have a manuscript that is 50 – 75% finished. I look at argument, and organization. It does not matter whether this is an article, a book chapter, or a book. Second, I do line-editing. This service only works if your manuscript is 75 – 95% finished. I tend to look over syntax, word choice, and sound. This is most useful for folks who want me to make use of my poetic ear. Third, I have a service called manuscript review. Whereas developmental and line-editing come with letters that explain my ideas as well as a track changes document, the manuscript review only comes with a letter. The manuscript review is for someone who wants me to just read a document and provide an opinion. This is similar to what one receives when one submits to a journal, except I may or may not be a subject matter expert. Lastly, I perform sensitivity readings. With this service, I put my expertise as a reader and critic to use. Sensitivity reads or authenticity reads help folks who are writing about topics for the first time. For instance, if you are an able-bodied person and you have an analysis or a scene with disabled people and you want to make sure it is honest or “does right by” disabled folks, then I can help you. Sensitivity/Authenticity reads usually serve fiction writers well.
Now that you know the services, I’d like to introduce you to some cheat codes. A few clients have found ways to leverage my services to assist them with deadlines and motivation. I’ll provide two examples.
Retainer. I used to think this was just for attorneys, but it turns out it works for editors as well. One client likes their writing process to have a built-in editor, so they calculated a sum to retain me. Whenever they are finished with a portion of their manuscript, they send over the document. I take a look. Easy. Peasy. Lemon-squeezy. For folks interested in this, the prices are on my website and easy to calculate.
Pro-portionizing. I actually get this term from drag queens, who use it to talk about the ratio of hair to breasts to hips to heels. They must all be in proportion, depending on the silhouette. In terms of editing, this relates to how much of the manuscript you want me to see. If you need assistance on one chapter and not another, it does not make sense for me to do a developmental edit on both chapters.
For some of you, it may feel untoward to talk about these strategies because they are largely tied to money. Some folks prefer a retainer so that they can use their institution’s funding or their own budget is precarious and they want to be sure the service is paid for. Some folks might use pro-portionizing because they haven’t received enough from their institution. I get it. I just don’t want folks to feel like they’ve been priced out of a service they need.
Also, I provide discounts for HBCUs, HSIs, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Asian American and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions. Just ask!