Joelle Steele’s Editing & Typesetting Services

I provide editing and typesetting services for self-publishing book authors. Prices and turnaround times vary considerably based on the length of your manuscript. You will be quoted an exact fee once I see your manuscript and any accompanying images. Please follow all the directions below very carefully to avoid any additional expenses.

EDITING BOOKS

Content Editing. I evaluate content for overall readability, examining organization; plot and character development; references; bibliographies; appendices; prefaces; introductions; indexing; illustrations, etc. I will write brief comments on the pages if necessary. I then write a short report with my advice as to what you may wish to improve upon. The price for content editing averages about $2.00 per page.

Line Editing. This service is also called grammatical editing. It also requires reading the manuscript in its entirety. The only changes noted will be to your grammar, syntax, spelling, punctuation, etc. The price for line editing averages about $1.00 per page.

Manuscript. Your manuscript should be submitted in standard editing format as follows:

1. Your name and all contact info on first page.
2. 8-1/2 x 11 white paper.
3. 1″ margins all around.
4. Page numbering.
5. Times Roman 12 or Arial 10.
6. Double-spacing (nothing less).
7. Mailed flat, not folded, to Joelle Steele, P.O. Box 8492, Lacey, WA 98509.

TYPESETTING BOOKS

Typesetting is also called formatting. I typeset fiction and non-fiction. I can also typeset illustrated works (color or black-and-white). I will produce a PDF ready for printing. I typeset to the size you specify for your book, although I recommend that you stick with a 5.5″ x 8″ finished size as this is usually less expensive to print since it is done on 8-1/2 x 11 paper and requires no extra cuts, only a finish trim. In general, most novels and non-illustrated fiction start around $300. Extra costs include illustrations, bibliographies, and indexing.

Manuscript: Your manuscript should be in its final edit and in a Word .doc or .docx file in the following format:

1. 8-1/2 x 11 page size.
2. Single-spacing (not double).
3. My default fonts are Times Roman or Minion. If you want something different, please specify.
4. If you have a decorative frontispiece or title page, send it separately as a .tiff/.tif file, 300 dpi minimum.
5. Send any images separately as .tiff/.tif files, 300 dpi minimum.
6. Indicate where images and captions are to appear on each page. For example: writing-writing-writing [image 8.tif, Map of area to be annexed.] writing-writing-writing.
7. If you want me to include any specific design elements, send me samples, e.g., a scanned title page or chapter heading page, etc., perhaps from another book you like.
8. If your book requires indexing, please send a single-spaced hardcopy manuscript too, with all words to be indexed highlighted in yellow wherever they appear in the text. Send the highlighted manuscript to: Joelle Steele, P.O. Box 8492, Lacey, WA 98509.

Attach all your files to an email (or emails) to: joellesteele@joellesteele.com.

When I receive your files, I will typeset a few pages, send them to you for approval, quote you an exact price for your book, and attach a short and simple agreement for you to sign and return to me along with a deposit payable to joellesteele@joellesteele.com at PayPal.