Alpha Reading | Editing | Proof Reading | Plot Support
Alpha Reading
Alpha reading is an in-depth look at your very first draft and can cover:
- identifying plot holes
- character inconsistencies
- pace and flow
- basic sentence structure anomalies
- suggestions to improve overall readability
Feedback is constructive and provided both in-manuscript, as well as in a summary document once the alpha read has been completed. If there are any particularly difficult changes which need to be made, a complimentary thirty-minute call to discuss these and how to address them is included in the base price.
TEA encourages all authors considering alpha reading to submit a sample of their book (up to 2000 words) for a free alpha read. This enables authors to see if we are a match for them but also allows us at TEA to suggest other services or support which might be beneficial prior to an alpha read taking place. All sample reads are completed on a no obligation basis and both TEA and the author can end the process at any time.
Alpha reading is charged as follows:
Up to 15,000 words: £40
Up to 30,000 words: £50
Up to 50,000 words: £60
Up to 75,000 words: £70
Up to 100,000 words: £80
Any manuscripts over 100,000 words will be discussed and priced on an individual basis.
There is a minimum of a two-week turnaround for a document, however dependent on quality, length, and alpha reader availability, this may vary. Before confirmation of any booking, all deadlines and timescales will be discussed and agreed on by all parties.
A contract with full terms and conditions will be completed prior to any work taking place. This will include information regarding non-disclosure and payment options. It is expected that a minimum of 50% is received before reading begins, with the remaining balance due before the document is returned to the author.
Editing
TEA offers a combination style of editing, but this can be broken down into individual elements if required. Our specialism lies in giving a holistic approach which aims to reduce the overwhelm of finding a different person for each stage in the process.
Developmental edits, focusing on the big picture elements of the book such as characterisation, plot, and pace, are carried out alongside line edits, which focus on tightening sentence structure and language usage. We also correct any copy errors we identify whilst working through the document.
Feedback is constructive and provided both in-manuscript, as well as in a detailed summary document once the edit has been completed. Each manuscript will receive two reads, with the second being a proofread.
There is always the option to add more edit passes, however additional reads will be charged. Should there are any particularly difficult changes which need to be made, a complimentary call to discuss these and how to address them is included in the base price. Additional time can be purchased through our plot support service.
TEA encourages all authors considering editing to submit a sample of their book (up to 1000 words) for a free edit. This enables authors to see if we are a match for them but also allows us at TEA to suggest other services or support which might be beneficial prior to an edit taking place. All sample reads are completed on a no obligation basis and both TEA and the author can end the process at any time.
Editing is charged at £0.004 per word.
There is a minimum of a four-week turnaround for a manuscript, however dependent on document quality, length, and editor availability, this may vary. Before confirmation of any booking, all deadlines and timescales will be discussed and agreed on by all parties.
A contract with full terms and conditions will be completed prior to any work taking place. This will include information regarding non-disclosure and payment options. It is expected that a minimum of 50% is received before reading begins, with the remaining balance due before the document is returned to the author.
Proofreading
Proofreading is the final step in the writing process when preparing your manuscript for publishing. It focuses on fixing minor spelling and punctuation mistakes, as well as typos, small inconsistencies, and highlighting any formatting issues. This is an essential part of the writing process and ensures your document is in the absolute best condition it can be before it reaches the hands of your reader.
All feedback is provided in the document.
Proofreading is charged as follows:
Up to 15,000 words: £30
Up to 30,000 words: £40
Up to 50,000 words: £50
Up to 75,000 words: £60
Up to 100,000 words: £70
Any manuscripts over 100,000 words will be discussed and priced on an individual basis.
There is a minimum of a two-week turnaround for a manuscript, however dependent on document quality, length, and proofreader availability, this may vary. Before confirmation of any booking, all deadlines and timescales will be discussed and agreed on by all parties.
A contract with full terms and conditions will be completed prior to any work taking place. This will include information regarding non-disclosure and payment options. It is expected that a minimum of 50% is received before reading begins, with the remaining balance due before the document is returned to the author.
Plot Support
The first step in any good book is the plot, but sometimes this can be the hardest thing to establish. Characters, events, timings, and even settings can be elusive to pin down. It’s at times like these having someone who knows how stories work and who understands the difference a good plot can make to your book can be pivotal.
Here at TEA, we provide one-to-one sessions via Google Meet or Zoom to discuss and fine tune your plot before you start writing. During the call, we’ll map out your story arc, your key character traits, and even your plot twists. After, we will whip this into an easy-to-follow document which will be emailed within seven working days of the call.
Once you get started on writing, we’re here to bounce new ideas as they arise, or to make alterations. You’ll get speedy replies via messages to our social media and emails on small matters, or we can schedule further calls if you feel you need them.
Plotting sessions are £30 each, which includes a one-hour call and a follow-up document with all the details of the discussion. Subsequent calls are £25 each, charged in 30-minute intervals. An initial conversation via messages or email is recommended to ensure our available plotters have adequate knowledge of your chosen genre and tropes.