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RJ's Editing Services

14K views 47 replies 12 participants last post by  RJ Locksley 
#1 ·
Hi there! One of my resolutions for 2012 is to reach out to more indie authors, so in the spirit of enterprise, I'm making my own thread. :D

I'm a publishing graduate and former publishing intern, now building my portfolio as a freelance editor. I recently spent six weeks at a major trade publisher where the walls are papered in Stephen King covers. I proofread a number of books for them, and I also corrected about the first 100 pages of a book now nominated for the Man Asian, sister prize of the Man Booker. I now freelance, and I'd like to offer my services to the Kindle Boards.

I offer:

Line editing
I'll correct spelling, punctuation and grammar. I'll make sure that formatting is consistent; if the first four chapter headings are bolded, the fifth should be too. I'll point out continuity errors, where the protagonist lives at 220B in one chapter and 221B in the next. I'll fact-check where possible, and I'll raise queries when the text is confusing or ambiguous. My aim is to ensure clean, professional copy. (Rates for new clients will normally be .7 cents a word, or $700 for a 100,000-word novel.)

Substantive editing
I'll give an honest assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the novel with suggestions for how to improve. I'll look at the power of the writing, the vividness of the description, the punch of the action. I'll comment on characterisation. Plot is a strength of mine; I can tell you when your dramatic moment is falling flat due to a lack of buildup. My aim here is to help deliver a well-structured, well-written story. (Rates for new clients will normally be 1 cent a word, or $1000 for a 100,000-word novel. I specialise in science fiction and fantasy, particularly epic fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, dystopian, and related subgenres of YA.)

I'd be happy to do a free sample edit of the first 1000 words to show you what I can offer. My website is here and you can reach me at rjlocksley88[at]gmail.com.

Hope you have a great 2012!

Cheers,
RJ

(edited with updates)
 
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#2 ·
Just an update.

I recently had the pleasure of working with fellow Brit DM Andrews, who asked me to look at the first chapter of his children's fantasy, THE SERPENT IN THE GLASS. I had tons of fun sharpening his first chapter and after revisions, plus a free promotion, sales have really taken off!

I've continued working with the amazingly prolific Rose Pressey on her light-hearted paranormal romances. PIES AND POTIONS is the latest release in her Mystic Cafe series () and I'm working on another secret project right now.

I've also been enjoying working with author Melissa Wright on revisions to her Frey trilogy. I'm very excited about this compelling YA fantasy series. Plus, look at those gorgeous covers!

After some fierce competition, I landed the chance to work with co-writers Narcisse Navarre & Marzio Ombra, whose lush, dark writing really captured my attention, and I'm also looking forward to working with historical romance author Cary Davis.

My edits have been described as "inspiring... exciting... spot on". You can also spot DM Andrews recommending me on the Kindle Direct Publishing forums: "R.J. Locksley did a very good job efficiently, accurately and promptly editing down my bloated first chapter - something I had failed to achieve (probably because I was too attached to it!)"

I'm still very much looking for new clients, so if you're curious about what I can do for you, email me at rjlocksley88[at]gmail.com and let's chat!

Thanks,
RJ
 
G
#3 ·
Hello, R.J.,

I very much like the sound of your service and your rates are more than reasonable. It never hurts to be completely obsessional about punctuation etc -- makes you an ideal editor.

I wish you every success.

All the best,

Derek
 
#6 ·
Thank you! I'm glad to put my obsessive attention to detail to good use. I might have squeaked when the publisher first sat me down as an intern with a stack of page proofs. It was a happy day. :D

Thanks to Jeff, I'm now listed on the Yellow Pages, and I also added a first chapter and blurb critique to my list of services. My aim is to improve sales by presenting a strong, compelling, professional package to the reader. I think the flat rate of $40 will make it an affordable option.

Just finished another edit for one of my regular clients. I'm still open to new clients, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Cheers,
RJ
 
#8 ·
Just another update. I've been busy lately! I edited another mystery by the prolific (and super nice) Rose Pressey, whose MURDER AT HONEYSUCKLE HOTEL recently debuted at . (It was described as "wonderfully well-edited" by one reviewer. I may frame that.) I also edited Narcisse Navarre's fantastically chilling horror novella AN ENDLESS HUNGER, which blew me away. I'm also working on projects for new client Suren Fant and returning client Melissa Wright, whose Frey universe I'm thrilled to be going back to.

I'm currently looking to schedule new clients for May onward. If that sounds good, please do email me at rjlocksley88 [at] gmail.com and I'd be happy to do a free sample edit of the first 1000 words. Have a great weekend!

Thanks,
RJ
 
#10 ·
Thanks a ton, Rye. It was a pleasure to work with you.

Phew! It's been a crazy month. I've had fun working with Jill Flanagan on a romance novella set in the Bandit Creek shared universe. I also edited a fun children's novel for MV White. Last week I edited a high-octane thriller for Alan Petersen and I just finished an amazing SF novel for Julie Huss with a sequel lined up shortly. I'm now turning my sights on a fantasy novel for a new client and a first chapter for another. I'm also really looking forward to working some more with my favourite co-writing clients, Narcisse Navarre & Marzio Ombra, whose Khajj trilogy is going to be awesome.

I'd be thrilled to be just as busy next month, so if you're intrigued, drop me a line at rjlocksley88[at]gmail.com. I'm ready to get excited about a new project!

Thanks,
RJ
 
#11 ·
Another update from England.

I'm very happy to report that my new client is UK romance epublisher Total-E-Bound. I had tons of fun meeting the team in Lincoln and I'm currently finishing up my fourth edit for them as a freelancer. With their permission, I'm continuing to work with private clients, so please do keep it coming.

It's been another crazy month. I edited a second SF thriller for Julie Huss, who is hardcore awesome, and I'm looking forward to a third soon. I had a blast doing a story consultation for Narcisse Navarre and Marzio Ombra, whose Khajj trilogy I can't wait for. I also edited a zombie novella for Mainak Dhar and a couple of light, fun children's stories for my client MV White. I'm deep into edits with fantasy writer Harrison Davies. I'm also very pleased to welcome my newest client, Jill Myles, who is published through Berkley and Pocket. I'll be editing her self-published work. Finally, to bring this full circle, I'm back working with one of my very first clients, the charming DM Andrews. I edited his first chapter in January and I'm now editing the full novel. So yes! Busy busy busy.

(In other news, I hear a whisper that Alan Petersen has been recommending me to his group here. Thanks, Alan!)

I always have time for new clients, so if you're looking for an editor, please do drop me a line at rjlocksley88[at]gmail.com. I'd love to chat about your project.

Thanks,
RJ
 
#12 ·
RJ Locksley said:
It's been another crazy month. I edited a second SF thriller for Julie Huss, who is hardcore awesome, and I'm looking forward to a third soon.
;D I can say that RJ is a great editor and I love working with her. Also, she has been very restrained in her comments on my erratic comma usage (as well as italics) and really deserves a medal for fixing them over and over and over...

She has given me one great suggestion after another to make the books better and I really appreciate that. Thank you!
 
#13 ·
RJ Locksley said:
Another update from England.

...

(In other news, I hear a whisper that Alan Petersen has been recommending me to his group here. Thanks, Alan!)

I always have time for new clients, so if you're looking for an editor, please do drop me a line at rjlocksley88[at]gmail.com. I'd love to chat about your project.

Thanks,
RJ
Hi RJ, you're welcome! Glad to recommend your editing services.

The Asset should be ready to rock and roll by July 1st. I'm currently working on my second book, so I'll be in touch soon, keep you more busy. ;D
 
#14 ·
Hello! Dropping by with another update.

It's been an exciting few months for me. I'm thrilled to announce that I went full-time as an editor in August after six months in business. I now have my own flat in Bristol where I can edit until 3am to my heart's content. And a year after I handed in my dissertation, my MA in Publishing is finally official - I graduated from University College London yesterday.

Work has been even crazier than usual. I've been working up to sixteen hours a day, seven days a week. In July alone I edited 8 novels and 16 novellas, and I'm averaging over 1,000,000 words edited a month. I have half a dozen returning clients scheduled for sequels in September. I've also begun acquiring my own list of authors for my epublisher, which is a whole new set of challenges. It's a long way from my first days in business when I wondered if I'd ever make it as an editor.

Due to extreme demand, I'm raising my editing rates for new clients. If you are already working with me, prices remain the same, and if you already have a quote from me, the quote is still good. For new clients only, rates are now as follows:

Line editing: .4 cents per word, which is $200 for 50,000 words, or $400 for 100,000 words.
Substantive editing: .7 cents per word, which is $350 for 50,000 words, or $700 for 100,000 words.

I've been delaying this move for some time, but the recent period has been so manically busy that something had to give. I think my rates remain reasonable, and I'm happy to discuss payment by instalments.

And a last note to leave you on:

https://twitter.com/khajj/status/207844925612625920
https://twitter.com/khajj/status/207850137303785474
Narcisse Navarre ‏@khajj
A good editor will change your writing life. @marzombra and I are thrilled with ours. She's simply amazing. *gush*
@sirayn I love you so much! <3

It's good to be appreciated. :D

If you'd like to talk, email me at rjlocksley88 [at] gmail.com. Have a great evening and best of luck with your writing!

Thanks,
RJ
 
#15 ·
Good afternoon, Kindleboards! Hope you've all been keeping well.

September was another busy month. I edited 10 novels and 14 novellas for a total of 1,250,000 words. Clients both new and returning included Julie Huss, whose SF trilogy debuted this month; horror writer Mainak Dhar; fantasy writer Jean-Marc Kerkerian; a new Rylie Cruz light paranormal mystery by Rose Pressey; and children's author MV White, plus an anthology and a number of other projects for my epublisher, Total-E-Bound. Thus far in October I've edited a third Frey novel for Melissa Wright and a debut urban fantasy by Jennifer Silverwood, whose stunning cover you can see at Goodreads. I have two new clients scheduled for this month as well whom I'm very excited to be working with.

Rather charmingly, two of my clients have been talking about me in this thread about hiring a good editor:

Mainak Dhar said:
For me it always comes down to whether I get the feeling that the editor is not just `going through the motions' of correcting errors and tweaking them but really trying to understand the story and characters and offering at least a couple of suggestions that make me think 'he/she really gets it'. That's the point where an editor transforms from becoming someone you pay to polish your book to someone who is genuinely a partner in your book. I've used RJ for the last couple of my books and fully intend to stick with her.
JanneCO said:
I feel this way about RJ, too. Everything is "we" now. Maybe we should do this or maybe we should do that. I like it. In my third book the edit came back with the suggestion to eliminate an entire character. And I did. She was absolutely right. The whole time I was writing that book I had this nagging suspicion that something was off and it was that character. And when I read that in her comments I was like "YES! I agree!" I probably would've never taken him out if she hadn't said anything.
Very pleased that they're happy with my work. :D

If you're looking for an editor, please do email me at rjlocksley88 [at] gmail.com. I'd love to talk about working together.

Thanks,
RJ
 
#18 ·
RJ is also internationally know for editing the extremely famous and critically acclaimed author, Mark Whiteway...Oh wait a minute, that's me. ;D

How's "Seeds Across the Sky" coming, RJ?

   
 
#19 ·
JanneCO, you are a pleasure to work with, and Alexander, I've replied to your email!

For reference, I can take a manuscript at any time, with a time frame of up to 4 weeks to complete work on a full-length manuscript. Your manuscript goes into the queue and I work through projects in order of urgency. Payment is due via Paypal on completion of the edits.

Alondo said:
RJ is also internationally know for editing the extremely famous and critically acclaimed author, Mark Whiteway...Oh wait a minute, that's me. ;D

How's "Seeds Across the Sky" coming, RJ?
Perfect timing! I finished my previous project Saturday night and you're now officially at the top of my list. I'll let you know how it goes. :D

Thanks,
RJ
 
#20 ·
RJ Locksley said:
JanneCO, you are a pleasure to work with, and Alexander, I've replied to your email!

For reference, I can take a manuscript at any time, with a time frame of up to 4 weeks to complete work on a full-length manuscript. Your manuscript goes into the queue and I work through projects in order of urgency. Payment is due via Paypal on completion of the edits.

Perfect timing! I finished my previous project Saturday night and you're now officially at the top of my list. I'll let you know how it goes. :D

Thanks,
RJ
Are we still on for a four week completion? (That would be 10 days from now).
 
#22 ·
RJ Locksley said:
Most definitely, sir. I'd say this weekend.
Yay! I really am looking forward to getting my next story "out there", with your most excellent assistance!

Remember, I write in British English - none of that American nonsense! ;D
 
#23 ·
Good morning, Kindleboards! Just a short update today. It's been manic as usual here in Bristol. Since my last update, I edited a short piece for Alexander Risten; revisions for my fantasy-writing client Jean-Marc Kerkerian; the extremely famous and critically acclaimed author :D Mark Whiteway's SEEDS ACROSS THE SKY; Kia Zi Shiru's BLACK SHEEP; and Dean Murray's paranormal TRAPPED, plus three books in his Guadel Chronicles. I've been incredibly busy working with my epublisher as well, getting through over a million words of editing for them in November alone.

I'm always looking for new clients, so if you're thinking about finding an editor, you can reach me at rjlocksley88 [at] gmail.com. Have a good weekend!

Thanks,
RJ
 
#24 ·
RJ Locksley said:
Good morning, Kindleboards! Just a short update today. It's been manic as usual here in Bristol. Since my last update, I edited a short piece for Alexander Risten; revisions for my fantasy-writing client Jean-Marc Kerkerian; the extremely famous and critically acclaimed author :D Mark Whiteway's SEEDS ACROSS THE SKY; Kia Zi Shiru's BLACK SHEEP; and Dean Murray's paranormal TRAPPED, plus three books in his Guadel Chronicles. I've been incredibly busy working with my epublisher as well, getting through over a million words of editing for them in November alone.

I'm always looking for new clients, so if you're thinking about finding an editor, you can reach me at rjlocksley88 [at] gmail.com. Have a good weekend!

Thanks,
RJ
Thanks for the mention! :) For anyone reading this RJ rocks as an editor, so get in line but bear in mind you're behind me!!!
 
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