Editing
I edit for writers, publications, and organizations. I’ve managed contributor rosters of 30+ writers, created editorial calendars from scratch, and edited everything from academic manuscripts to magazine features to organizational communications. I work with your voice.
Services
Developmental Editing
$0.05–$0.08 / word
A structural edit of your full manuscript or project. I evaluate elements like argument, narrative arc, organization, pacing, and logic and then give you a detailed editorial letter explaining what’s working, what’s not, and suggestions to change it.
What you get:
Full read with margin comments throughout, plus a 2–5 page editorial letter covering structure, argument, narrative arc, pacing, audience, and suggestions.
Best for:
Book manuscripts, long-form nonfiction, academic papers, grant proposals
Line Editing
$0.03–$0.05 / word
A sentence-level proofread focused on clarity, voice, pacing, and mechanics. I work through your manuscript line by line in tracked changes, where I’m tightening prose, cutting filler words and prhases, fixing transitions, and making sure every paragraph is complete and necessary.
What you get:
Your manuscript returned in tracked changes with margin comments explaining my edits. I rewrite clunky sentences, flag weak verbs, adverbs, and vague language, tighten transitions, and clean up redundancy.
Best for:
Magazine articles, essays, reports, organizational content, and manuscripts with solid structure that need sharper prose. Also for writers who want to learn from the edits.
Pitch Coaching
$100 / session
You have a story worth publishing and no idea how to get it in front of an editor. I spent over a decade pitching and placing stories at national magazines, so I know what editors are looking for. I’ll help you figure out where your story belongs and how to pitch it.
What you get:
A one-hour session where we develop your story idea, identify target publications, and workshop your pitch email line by line. After the call, I send follow-up notes. You can send up to two pitch drafts, where I will provide edits and submission tips specific to your story.
Best for:
Outdoor athletes, adventurers, scientists, and subject-matter experts who have stories to tell and want to get published in magazines or online outlets. No journalism experience required.
Consulting and Content Strategy
$60-80 / hour
For projects that don’t fit a per-word or per-session model: editorial calendars, content and website audits, publication strategy, social media editorial planning, or ongoing editorial support for organizations. I’ve built content strategies from scratch and managed multi-platform editorial operations.
Rush turnaround (under 24 hours): +25% · Rates vary by complexity — get in touch for a quote
How It Works
1
Send me your work
Email your manuscript, draft, or story idea along with a brief description of the project, your goals, and your timeline. I’ll respond within two business days.
2
Get a quote
I’ll read a sample, assess the scope, recommend the right service, and send a flat quote based on word count and complexity. No surprises.
3
I edit (or we talk)
For editing projects, you get your manuscript back in tracked changes with margin comments explaining every edit. For pitch coaching, we get on a call and build your pitch together in real time.
4
Follow-up
For edits: a 30-minute call to talk through questions, push back on changes, and plan next steps. For pitch coaching: follow-up notes with target editors, a revised pitch draft, and submission strategy.
What Writers Say
“Being a writer can be challenging, and it takes a trained, outside perspective to be able to help clean up and elevate a writer’s output.
Charli K Elder shot perfectly straight in her role as editor for my piece in Site Zed. I felt like I was in a writing master class, and took full advantage of the support and direction that Charli provided. She took my work to the next level and I would highly recommend her to any writer looking to maximize their potential.”
— [Kirk Eddlemon, author, Whitewater of the Southern Appalachians]
Edited for
Canoe & Kayak Magazine · Blue Ridge Outdoors · American Whitewater Journal · Pathways Magazine · UT Office of Undergraduate Research & Fellowships
Ready to get started?
Send your manuscript, story idea, or project details to charlikelder@gmail.com or call 865.254.2642
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. EST