WE SUPPORT INDIE AUTHORS
WE SUPPORT TRADITIONALLY PUBLISHED AUTHORS

Are you looking for an editor?
  We would love to help you with your next project.
  
Our editing team comprises:
Kaylene Osborn (Chief Editor)*
Nicki Kuzn (Editor)
Katie Lowe (Editor)
Lisa Edwards (Editor)*

NOTE: All charges are in Australian dollars,
and are correct as of January 1st, 2025.

Payment

New Authors

A $150AUD deposit will be required to be paid before editing commences.

We will need you to fill in an information sheet and accept our Terms of Service Agreement as a prerequisite before work is commenced. These will be provided via email once you contact us with your requirements. Payment details for invoices thereafter are provided below.

Other Authors

An invoice will be sent via PayPal.

Payment is required (in full) after editing is complete
  but before proofing. If proofing is not purchased, then after first edits are completed.
Payment by the invoice due date is strictly adhered to.
Overdue invoices will incur a 10% late fee every week, accrued weekly. The 10% fee will be added one (1) day after the due date and from then on incremented weekly.
  
  
  
Under 10,000 words attracts a minimum $100.00AUD fee
regardless of word count.
Over 100,000 words attracts a fee 0.0020/w AUD
above stated editing fees below, except for packages where the amount will vary. Please contact us for costing.  
  
   

Editing Services

Prices are correct as at January 1st, 2025.
  
  
Line and Copy Edit

0.0105AUD/word
Note: This fee is a baseline figure only, and any book that requires extensive editing outside normal guidelines will attract surcharges or be placed in a different editing category.
 
What we look for:

overuse of words
duplicate words and groups of words
continuity and inconsistencies
common spelling errors and grammar issues
dialogue formatting errors
ensure smooth reading
run-on sentences
ensure the proper use of contractions
suggestions regarding improvement, some sentence structure work, inconsistencies, and character issues to a limited degree

  

Proofreading Service

0.0075AUD/word
A final check of any outstanding issues.
Note: fee is a baseline figure only, and any book that requires extensive editing outside normal guidelines will attract higher fees and be placed into an editing category.

It is always advisable to have a proofreader go over your manuscript before publication after the editing process is completed. Proofreading is carried out on the final draft and includes a line-by-line check of your manuscript. One proof round is provided.
   

 
PACKAGES

NOTE: All manuscripts above 100K will be surcharged 0.0020/w, for each service. For example: if you are using the Line and Copy Editing and Proofreading Service the surcharge will be 0.0040/w above quoted pricing below.

   
Line and Copy Editing and Proofreading Service

0.0155AUD/word
An in-depth line by line and copy edit of your manuscript,
plus proofread. 
Note: fee is a baseline figure only, and any book that requires extensive editing outside normal guidelines will attract higher fees and possibly be placed into a different editing category.

This package provides a complete and polished end product. This is a combination of both services (line and copy edit and proofreading), so please read the explanations for each service, or for more information please do not hesitate to contact us.

Book Editing Guidelines

The Chicago Manual of Style is used for US English.
Swish Design and Editing has their own Style Sheet which is used in conjunction with CMOS for various styles that need consistent use.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary is used for US English.
The Oxford dictionary is used for UK English.

A Development Editor

Focuses on plot, character development, theme, point of view, etc. This type of editing is only offered when you need guidance on writing your story. The cost of development editing is significant and requires a lot of your editor's time. So if you think you need this type of edit, you must make sure you let us know, so we can factor in the time needed and give you an approximation of costing.  Costs may well vary for this during the edit, so remember to factor this into your budget.

Note: Swish reserves the right to refuse developmental editing if the writing is at a level where the editing process will take significant time and resources.

A Content Editor

Focuses on everything in the line editor category plus suggestions for improvement, sentence structure, plot inconsistencies, character issues, flow, smooth reading, confusing scenes, elimination of additional wording, and help to hold the reader's attention.

A Line Editor

Focuses on writing style and voice, points out phrasing, repetition, telling vs. showing, dialogue issues, and flagging inconsistencies.

A Copy Editor

Focuses on spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Looks at confused words and ensures consistency with capitalization, hyphenation, and numerals.

A Proof Reader

Focuses on making sure the book is as error-free as possible. Remember: no one is perfect, but we strive to make your book the best we can. Typically a proof reader checks for typographical errors, punctuation, layout, and page issues.

Acquisition Editor

These editors work for publishing companies. They acquire manuscripts and evaluate the book's ability to sell.  We do NOT provide this service at Swish Design and Editing.

Contact Us

We can be found on Facebook
Email

Submission of Manuscripts

Manuscripts should be sent via email and must be submitted with NO formatting.  All manuscript must be provided in MS Word as Swish utilize tracked changes. You must be familiar with the use of tracked changes and the commenting system of MS Word. Any formatting could be removed accidentally by our editors during the editing process. The approved font is Calibre or Calibre Light, size 12 font and single-spaced.
 
All authors must provide the information requested by Swish Design and Editing in an email prior to editing taking place.  This information is imperative to ensure we have full knowledge of what is required.
 
Rush jobs can be accepted but will attract a 30% surcharge.  Please talk to us as soon as you realize you will need these services to check if we are able to accommodate you.
 
All editing is subject to approval. This rarely happens, but authors should be made aware that if we find the editing process is taking longer than expected due to issues with the manuscript, or the cost will be more than the quoted amount, then the manuscript may be returned to the author for attention.
 
Dates set for editing are strictly enforced.  We will no longer be accepting late manuscripts. If you miss your booking, you will be moved to a later time slot if one is available or forfeited altogether.  Please note that if you miss two bookings in a row, we will consider any future bookings void and remove them from our program. This will allow authors who have books ready to take those booking slots.

Please note: we highly recommend you allow at least six weeks from the time your manuscript is sent to us until your publication date. This allows for any issues we may find to be settled, for formatting to take place, and then for ARC distribution (most bloggers require at least fourteen days prior to publication).
 
We are here to help you, so contact us with any questions, and we will be only too happy to answer them.

No Refund Policy

We pride ourselves on the work we provide, but sometimes there may be small issues that require our attention after final edits.  In this case, we recommend contacting us for remedial action.  However, we cannot give refunds on deposits or payments.  There is a no refund policy. Please read over our Terms of Service Agreement.

     
Acceptable Error Rates

No amount of errors is acceptable, period. However, no matter how much we strive for that perfect manuscript, unfortunately perfection is not obtainable.

For editing a 95 percent accuracy rate makes a respectable benchmark, according to several experts cited in a well-documented discussion of editorial error rates. So 100,000 words at 95% error rate leaves around 95 errors in a book.

Professional proofreaders will tell you that proofreading that leaves a book with about 3 typos per 10,000 words is acceptable.
  
  

Swish Terms of Service Agreement

Please click here to read our Terms of Service Agreement.
This agreement must be agreed to before any work can commence.

*Chief Editor (Kaylene Osborn) provides one edit round.
(Lisa) provides one edit round.