Looking for an experienced editor?
Lee Warren brings over twenty years of experience in the Christian publishing industry, working as a contract editor for a variety of publishers, including Barbour Publishing, Electric Moon Publishing, Bold Vision Books, and others. He also serves on the editorial staff of The Christian Communicator manuscript critique service, where he provides guidance to authors seeking to refine their work.
Services Offered
Copy editing (includes a line edit)
Developmental critique (5-10 page letter)
Proofreading
Indie author consulting (via Zoom, Skype or phone)
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Copy Edit
Copy editing is best suited for manuscripts that are already solid structurally. The copy editing process will address spelling errors, typos, grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and word usage errors. It will also eliminate redundancies, passive voice, weak words, repeated words, and inconsistencies in verb tenses. Additionally, it will tackle style concerns and ensure a seamless flow. The focus at this stage is clarity, consistency, and polish – not restructuring or big-picture revision.
Standard Rate: 2.0 cents per word
Enhanced Formatting Rate (to industry standards per the Chicago Manual of Style): 2.5 cents per word
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Developmental Critique
Developmental critique is a good fit for writers who want insight and direction before taking the next step toward copy editing. During this process, we read your entire manuscript and provide a detailed editorial letter (typically 5–10 pages) that highlights what’s working, where the manuscript may need attention, and how to move forward with clear next steps. The critique looks at big-picture elements such as structure, pacing, voice, and overall effectiveness, offering clear and actionable guidance.
Rate = 1.0 cents per word
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Proofread
Proofreading provides a subtle enhancement to your content, such as inserting missing commas and rectifying occasional typos. Unlike copy editing, proofreading focuses on projects that have undergone professional editing and are nearly ready for publication, requiring a final meticulous review. This service ensures your manuscript is clean, consistent, and polished before it reaches publishers or readers, helping you present your work with confidence. Neither copy editing nor formatting is included in this package.
Rate = 1.0 cents per word
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Indie Author Consult
When the nuances of indie publishing become overwhelming, having a seasoned author by your side can make all the difference. These consultations offer practical insight and thoughtful guidance to help you navigate the publishing landscape with greater clarity and confidence. Authors are welcome to ask anything – from industry norms and marketing questions to project-specific challenges, next steps, and decision-making around their individual work. The goal is to meet you where you are and help you move forward with intention.
Rate = $99.00 per hour
What People Are Saying
“My book Rekindle Your Dreams never would have been picked up by a publisher if it weren’t for Lee Warren’s critique of my book proposal. Because of his efforts, I was confident when I submitted my proposal to editors that it was solid and grammatically sound. I recommend Lee to everyone who wants to increase their chances of being published. His corrections, questions and recommendations were invaluable.”
— Trish Porter, Olympian and author
“I had the honor of working with Lee Warren as an editor for my book. He was both thorough and thoughtful. He really took the time to hear where I was coming from and then edited the book accordingly. It is obvious that he is passionate about his work.”
— Colleen Sullivan Clapper, author
“Lee recently proofread two of my books and was very thorough. As well as the normal proofreading, I also asked him to change my manuscript into U.S. English, which was a lot more work than I realized. Yet, Lee completed the task with a level of detail that was well beyond my expectations. He is also very patient – a wonderful quality in a proofreader. My second book had a lot of the same mistakes as the first, which I totally missed, but he didn’t complain. I’d highly recommend his work.”
— Susan Barnes, author