Sperry Editorial provides editing, writing, and research services for a variety of individual, nonprofit, and business clients. As a book editor, Shelley specializes in nonfiction, including academic, how-to, history, memoir, and “big idea” books.
“I took a master class with Billy Wilder once and he said that in the first act of a story you put your character up in a tree, in the second act you set the tree on fire, and then in the third you get him down.
—Gary Kurtz”
Services and Rates
I offer a range of services to help clients tell the best stories they can. I want to make sure you set the tree on fire at just the right time, without killing your protagonist—unless that's exactly what you want to do! (See quote above.)
developmental editing, also known as a manuscript review, which focuses on the structural components of a work
story coaching for writers struggling to complete a first draft or to improve the structure of a partial or full manuscript
line editing of completed nonfiction manuscripts
researching, writing, and editing white papers, press releases, and web content
researching graphics and maps for print and online publications
reporting and writing on current events related to education, labor, and the environment
Rates vary based on subject matter and the type of work required, so it’s best to send me some details about your project and get an estimate.
You can schedule a half hour of time with me for free to chat about your project so we can figure out if I can help. If you then decide you'd like to work with me, I'll send you a link to my scheduling calendar.
Download a Guide to Types of Editors
There are several types of editors you'll meet while traveling the yellow brick road toward publishing your story. Here's a downloadable Guide that explains it all. No flying monkeys. I promise.
Below are some standard rates for developmental editing of projects that are in early drafts. For projects that are farther along, I will create an individualized editorial proposal after our initial discussion.
Manuscript Review (rates as of April 15, 2021)
$1,995.00 (up to 80,000 words)
$2,395.00 (80,000-120,000 words)
For this service, you'll send me a complete first or early draft of a book. I'll read the entire manuscript and provide:
An analysis of essential aspects of your story, including the controlling idea or thesis; major characters or sources; the core emotion, core need, and core life values, your voice and point of view; and an in-depth analysis of the core event (if your book is a memoir or another narrative form) or an in-depth analysis of your introduction (if your book is another type of nonfiction).
A one-hour phone call discussing your story and answering any questions you have
A follow-up letter (sent soon after our call) to suggest the best next steps to pursue in revising your story, and 1-2 follow-up emails, as needed.
A recommendation of three masterworks to read for a deeper understanding of your genre
A few “cheat sheets” related to structure and style.
Story Coaching (rates as of April 15, 2021)
$695 for 4 sessions via phone or Skype;
$125 for ongoing sessions after the initial 4
In weekly, biweekly, or monthly one-hour calls, I'll provide guidance for writers who want to walk through the process of building a great story from initial idea to first draft, for writers who have a partial draft or outline that needs structural improvements, or for writers who need help crafting scenes that work. Each story and each writer's journey is different. Story Coaching is tailored to individual needs.
If you already have a first draft, you should begin with a manuscript review (above), so that I can do a full analysis before moving on to weekly calls to improve the manuscript.
There is no set number calls to sign up for after the initial four. You can decide when you're ready to work on your own, and of course, you can always come back for more help whenever you need it.
Jumpstart Analysis for Essays, Books, or Book Proposals
$250-$1,000 (depending on length)
Are you struggling with an essay, book manuscript, or a book proposal that just isn’t working? You might need a little time with an editor to clarify what's missing and how to get your project to the final stages before sending it out into the world.
In a Jumpstart Analysis, I'll read a draft of your essay, a few chapters of your book, an outline, a proposal—or a full draft of a short book (up to 30,000 words)—and we'll talk through the major issues in a one-hour conversation. The goal is to identify concrete next steps to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. In the case of a short book draft, this differs from a manuscript review because I’m looking only at overall argument and structure, not finer details.
Line Editing of Completed Manuscripts
Variable rate
If you have a completed manuscript that has been through several drafts and is ready for more detailed line editing, we can discuss setting a single project rate. You can estimate the cost of line editing at roughly $45-$60 per 1,000 words, but the final rate will depend upon the type of manuscript. Take a look at my downloadable guide to types of editing here for more information. I am not a professional copy editor, but occasionally I do copy editing at a rate of $40 per hour.