Editorial Services

NOW BOOKING: December 2022 – February 2023

I am Andrei Cherascu, a full-time science fiction writer and enthusiastic reader of almost anything. 

As an author, I know how important quality feedback is for the development of a manuscript. I also know from personal experience how difficult it is to find someone who can give you the feedback you’re looking for and do so in a timely manner. In other words: someone who will make your manuscript a priority. This inspired me to start a service geared specifically toward the needs of independent authors.

Punctuality is essential to the publishing process, especially if you’re an independent author trying to maintain a productive publishing schedule. Because I’m a full-time writer and editor, I make my own schedule, which means I can guarantee that the manuscript will get back to you on time, on the agreed-upon day. No delays, no uncertainty!

I offer several types of editorial services, depending on your manuscript’s needs and stage of development.

 

DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING

The developmental editing service is an in-depth analysis of your manuscript.

I will take a detailed look at all creative aspects of the story, from its theme, setting and worldbuilding to its plot, coherence, character development, dialogue and overall narrative flow.  

There will be extensive in-line comments with my real-time reactions, questions, observations and suggestions for improvement. I will make modifications to selected sections of the text in order to better illustrate the suggested changes. I use the Track Changes feature in Microsoft Word so you can easily follow everything I’ve done and have the option of accepting or declining the suggested changes. 

I will write a 4000-5000 word editorial letter addressing the book’s strengths and weaknesses all while respecting your vision for the story.  

After you go through my feedback we’ll have a 1-2 hour audio or video conference to answer all your remaining questions, address and expand on my observations and suggestions, look for possible solutions to outstanding dilemmas and just generally brainstorm together. 

Cost: The cost is $0.016 (US) per word ($16 per 1000 words). For example, a 100,000 word manuscript would be a flat $1600. Payment will be made via bank transfer or Paypal. I’m in the process of adding other payment options such as Revolut and Starling, which will be available in the following weeks. 

A 50% deposit is required. The rest will be paid upon delivery. 

I provide a sample edit of the first 5-10 pages so you can decide if my style and approach is right for you.  

Turnaround time: 30-45 days, depending on the book’s length.

Genres: I specialize in Science Fiction, Fantasy and Thrillers but I work with every type of fiction and non-fiction.    

You can CONTACT ME via e-mail at cherascu.andrei@gmail.com or through the website’s Contact page. 

 

BETA READING

I will take a reader’s approach when going through your story, but a writer’s approach when communicating with you. That means I will read your manuscript just like I would any published book and then honestly tell you what I loved and what I thought could use more work. I will do so in a way that is constructive and encouraging. Essentially, I will give you the beta read I would want for my own books.

There will be in-line comments so you can follow my real-time reactions and a 1000-2000 word editorial letter with my conclusions. After you go through my feedback I’ll answer any questions you may have via e-mail.  

In order for you to benefit the most from this service, the manuscript should be as polished as possible, having undergone extensive self-editing, at the very least. While the developmental editing service is meant to help you craft a story, the beta-reading service is intended for stories in the later stages of development, where the goal is to determine possibilities for further improvement. I offer the two services as a package with a 15% discount on the final price. (see below)     

Cost: The cost is $0.0065 (US) per word ($6.5 per 1000 words). For example, a 100,000 word manuscript would be $650 (US). Payment will be made via bank transfer or PayPal. I’m in the process of adding other payment options such as Revolut and Starling, which will be available in the following weeks. 

A 50% deposit is required. The rest will be paid upon delivery. 

I provide a sample edit of the first 10-15 pages so you can decide if my style and approach is right for you.  

Turnaround time: 15-30 days, depending on the book’s length.

Genres: I specialize in Science Fiction, Fantasy and Thrillers but I work with every type of fiction and non-fiction.

 

DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING + BETA READING PACKAGE (15% DISCOUNT)

I offer Developmental Editing and Beta Reading as a package at a 15% discount.

If you book this package, you receive the developmental editing service with everything it entails. After you update the manuscript, you send it back to me for a second pass, wherein you receive everything the beta read entails. 

Cost: With the package, you get a 15% discount on the final price. The cost is $0.01912 (US) per word. 

Example: For a 100,000 word manuscript the combined cost of developmental editing ($1600) and Beta Reading ($650) would be $2250 (US).

With the package, the price for a 100,000 word manuscript is $1912 (USD). 

Payment: For the DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING + BETA READING PACKAGE payment will be made upfront via bank transfer or PayPal. I’m in the process of adding other payment options such as Revolut and Starling, which will be available in the following weeks. 

Genres: I specialize in Science Fiction, Fantasy and Thrillers but I work with every type of fiction and non-fiction.

 

MANUSCRIPT ASSESSMENT

I will take a look at key sections of the manuscript, analyzing creative aspects such as theme, setting, world- and character building, while also evaluating the technical elements pertaining to pacing, voice, dialogue, grammar and syntax.

I will write a 1000-2000 editorial letter containing my conclusions, suggestions for improvement and an assessment of the manuscript’s further editorial needs.

The manuscript assessment can be done on a partial or completed text. Ideally, it should be performed at the earliest stages of development. The goal is to establish the manuscript’s overall condition, as well as its adherence to the general conventions of writing and publishing in order to determine what kind of editing and what kind of publishing strategy would best serve the book going forward.   

Cost: The manuscript assessment service has a fixed price of $250 (US). Payment will be made upfront via bank transfer or PayPal. I’m in the process of adding other payment options such as Revolut and Starling, which will be available in the following weeks.  

Turnaround time: 5-10 days.

Genres: I specialize in Science Fiction, Fantasy and Thrillers but I work with every type of fiction and non-fiction.

Check below for client testimonials!

Follow the Expanse Editing Facebook page for more insight into my editing process, availability, upcoming services and just generally cool posts related to the craft of storytelling.  

ABOUT ME

I am the author of the science fiction series The Mindguard Saga. My debut novel, Mindguard, was chosen Book of the Year 2014 by scifi365.net. Its sequel, The Vintages, was nominated for Best Science Fiction at the 2016 eFestival of Words. Martyrs of the Mind, the fourth book in the series, was released in 2019. I am currently writing the series finale.

When I’m not working on my novels or editing other authors’ manuscripts, I’m busy running my jazz-themed website, The Music and Myth, where I review records and gigs and post interviews with artists like Bill Frisell, Al DiMeola, Thana Alexa and Jazzmeia Horn.

I enjoy spending the evenings drinking wine and listening to music with my wife, Ioana and my Bichon puppies, Jazzie and Teyla. 

You can find out more about my work at andreicherascu.com or on my Facebook author page.

He’s an extremely sharp pair of second eyes on a manuscript and I have confidence that he doesn’t sugarcoat his conclusions. Yes, a beta reader is only one reader out of many — but at the pre-publication stage, it’s very important to get a good reader’s take on a book.

Felix R. Savage, New York Times bestselling science fiction author

Andrei read my book Citizen Erased in January 2018. He’s very good at keeping correspondence with a client and had my book back to me with comments and a detailed report by our agreed deadline. Andrei is very good at spotting influences and talking about strengths but isn’t afraid to tell me when revisions are needed or something should just be cut – he’s an author but writes his reports from a reader point of view before letting the ‘inner editor’ take over. The book is now a lot more polished because of Andrei’s feedback.

Tommy Muncie, author of Carnathia’s Underground and The Talent Show

Now I finally understand the heartfelt words of appreciation to editors in the acknowledgements of some of my favorite novelists.

Bill Issel, Professor of History Emeritus, San Francisco State University, author of WWII thrillers

I am extremely happy with the beta reading Andrei did for me. His mixture of general responses and specific comments was excellent, with useful suggestions for why a given area might not work. As he comes at beta reading from the combined perspective of both an avid reader and a writer himself, he was able to point not just to problems (or good parts) but also to identify some of the underlying craft issues that might be at stake. He was very good at communicating his own process, timely in his responses, and courteous and professional in all our communications. I highly recommend him for beta reading to anyone who might be looking for such a service.

Victoria Goddard, author of Stargazy Pie and other literary fantasy