Book Editing

Data Entry

This service is for authors who only have a hard copy of their manuscript. Service is for typing the manuscript as is into a Microsoft Word document, which is needed for the publishing process.

Data Entry does not change or edit the manuscript in any way.

Production Preparation

Publishing Preparation assistance is available to help authors who cannot format their manuscript by themselves into the correct form needed by Xulon’s Production Team to make the finished book. This service corrects formatting errors such as improper use of hard returns, tabs, spacing and placeholders, hard page breaks, and more.

Publishing Preparation Service requires a Microsoft Word document(s) and does not include editing.

Manuscript Review

Get feedback on your manuscript from one of Xulon Press’ editors. After a strategic read of your book (a portion of the beginning, middle, and end), our editor presents unbiased and constructive comments in a one-page review outlining your book’s strengths and areas to improve. Insight is shared to improve the overall “takeaway” of your book, so people not only read it but recommend it to others. The Manuscript Review also includes a recommendation on the level of edit your book needs to take it to the next level. The suggested edit is demonstrated in a 500-word sample edit of a page or two in your book.

The Manuscript Review requires a Microsoft Word document and is not a full edit of the manuscript. 

Editorial Critique *

The Editorial Critique is for those desiring a more in-depth review of their work. A Xulon editor reads the entire manuscript and provides a 4+ page report commenting on specific elements of your book. For nonfiction, that includes advice on such things as showing, not telling; target audience; organization of material; and consistency. For fiction books, it includes feedback on story arc, character development, plot pacing, and descriptive writing. The editor also provides his or her recommendation on the level of edit your book will need and demonstrates such in a 1,000 word sample edit.

Like to talk with the editor after the Critique is returned to you? A half hour personal coaching session can be added for $99.

The Editorial Critique requires a Microsoft Word document and is not a full edit of the manuscript. This service does not apply to poetry books.

* Books over 100,000 words will need to be approved for this service and will incur additional charges.

Basic Copy Editing

This editing service is about the mechanics or the “rules” of writing. Your manuscript is thoroughly reviewed by a live editor to catch and correct any errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and syntax. The Chicago Manual of Style, the preferred style guide for the publishing industry, is used. Some formatting, such as block quotes, is corrected.

Basic Plus Editing

Round I: Your editor will complete a basic edit on your manuscript. When you receive your edited manuscript, you’ll have an opportunity to review each of the edits and deletions. You’ll then have the choice to accept or reject them.

Round II: Once you have reviewed all the changes in your first round of editing, and made any necessary changes based on notes from the editor, you’ll submit your revised manuscript for the second round of editing. This is beneficial for authors because an editor will be able to see new changes input by the author before going to print.

Line Editing

Here the editor focuses on improving the flow and readability of your work so your message is clearly understood by the reader. Wordy or awkward sentences are rewritten, passive to active voice changes are made, paragraph and sentence length are adjusted, and transitions between thoughts and chapters are strengthened. Line Editing also includes the services of a Basic Copy Edit.

Line Plus Editing

Round I: Your editor will complete a line edit on your manuscript. When you receive the edited manuscript, you’ll have an opportunity to review each of the edits and deletions. You’ll then have the choice to accept or reject them.

Round II: Once you have reviewed all the changes in your first round of editing, and made any necessary changes based on notes from the editor, you’ll submit your revised manuscript for a second round of editing. This is beneficial for authors because an editor will be able to see new changes input by the author before going to print.

Developmental Editing

A developmental edit is the most comprehensive edit and is designed to fix the “big picture” structure of the manuscript to increase the book’s marketability. It is for those who have a solid idea but are not sure how to organize the material. The Developmental Edit is a two step process. First, the editor makes comments in the margin directing the author how to make changes in specific areas that need improvement. After the author rewrites his or her draft and returns the new manuscript to Xulon, the editor performs both the Line and a Basic Copy Edit to make sure your manuscript is ready for publication.

Executive Editing

Round I: Your editor will complete a developmental edit on your manuscript. When you receive the edited manuscript, you’ll have an opportunity to review each of the edits and deletions. You’ll then have the choice to accept or reject them.

30-minute Editing Call: After you review the edited manuscript, you’ll contact your project coordinator to schedule a 30-minute editing call with the editor.

Round II: After you’ve had your telephone consultation with your editor, made all your revisions, and are satisfied with the revised draft of your manuscript, you’ll submit your revised manuscript for the second round of editing. This is beneficial for authors because an editor will be able to see new changes input by the author before going to print.

Round III: Once you review your second round of editing, you’ll submit your manuscript one final time for a new editor to complete a proofread style edit on your manuscript. This service gets you as close to traditional publishing as possible in the self-publishing industry.

Ghostwriting

For the person who has their book concept and a good portion of the writing done, but is at a loss on how to pull it all together, ghostwriting may be the best path to a finished book. Ghostwriting ranges between $0.18 to $0.25+ per word; pricing depends on the form of material submitted (outline, rough draft, assorted sermons, etc.) and the amount of work that needs to be done by the ghostwriter to create a complete manuscript.

Translation Service

Xulon Press can translate manuscripts to Spanish, French, and English.