—Services—
Base rate: 4¢/word*
- Turnaround is generally 3 weeks, depending on manuscript length and availability
- Includes margin notes, a 10-20+ page editorial letter, and a one-hour follow-up meeting
Also known as story editing, a developmental edit involves refining the story map (or redrawing it entirely, only if necessary), finding (and filling) the plot holes, examining every aspect of your narrative, and looking at the big picture from start to finish.
Base rate: 5¢/word*
- Turnaround is generally 4-6 weeks, depending on manuscript length and availability
- Includes margin notes, changes in suggest mode in a fresh copy, and a one-hour follow-up meeting
Also known as stylistic or substantive editing, a line edit is the beautification process and the elevation of your words. Line editing tends to be the most labor-intensive type of edit because it combs through your manuscript sentence-by-sentence, chapter-by-chapter, from beginning to end.
Base rate: 3¢/word* (Note: manuscript must be in an otherwise polished state.)
- Turnaround is generally 3 weeks, depending on manuscript length and availability
- Includes margin notes, direct changes in copy, and a one-hour follow-up meeting
Copy editing is the fine-tuning process and focuses on the mechanics of the writing on a technical level. (Note: at the point when copy editing begins, your manuscript should be in an otherwise polished state in terms of story structure, dialogue, and overall flow from beginning to end, as these are not touched.)
Base rate: $35/10,000 words
- Turnaround is generally 5 business days, subject to availability
- Includes manuscript evaluation with a comprehensive editorial letter addressing your story, character development, plot, pacing, structure, tone, and world-building (if applicable) and a 30-minute follow-up meeting
I like to think of an alpha read as a Developmental Edit Lite—a big-picture evaluation before you proceed with further edits, or writing if your manuscript is unfinished.
Base rate: $80/hour (packages offer best deal)
- 4 hours: $300/month
- 6 hours: $400/month
- 8 hours: $500/month
Writing coaching provides support for as long as you need it—when you need it—and includes bespoke guides, notes, resources, and other personal materials provided to clients based on their needs.
Base rate: N/A
- Extensive consultation is required
- You retain full copyright/ownership without credit to Dark Star Lit
- Payment installments/milestones invoiced
Ghostwriting is the most complex of all services offered by Dark Star Lit and pricing varies widely based on the topic, scope, time required, research involved, and several other factors that include whether you have an outline created already.
Base rate: Coaching rates apply
- Website design consultation
- Website traffic growth coaching and monetization strategies
- Book cover design consultation/critique
- Publishing options
Dark Star Lit offers a suite of general consultations and coaching related to marketing and branding.
What Service Do You Need?
If you have no idea where to start, we can light your way and set you on the right path—quickly.
