Editorial Services

Mission & Positioning

For seventeen years, Consequence Forum has published vital work on global conflict, war, and geopolitics. We’ve now covered 141 conflicts globally, while maintaining rigorous editorial standards to help our authors put the best version of their work possible into the world. Our editorial services bring that same expertise to your manuscript.

When you work with Consequence editors, you’re not getting generic advice and grammatical corrections. You’re receiving feedback informed by the editorial team of a literary journal that:

  • Pays professional rates to contributors
  • Understands what makes writing resonate with discerning editors
  • Has been recognized as a top-tier publication by several organizations:
    ~Ranked #1 out of 2,000 on Fiction on the Web’s 2025 list of Independent Literary Mags
    ~Recipient of the Transformative Language Arts Network’s 2025 Outstanding Publication of the Year Award
    ~Best Literary Translations 2024, 2025, and 2026
    ~Pushcart prizes
    ~Published Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, etc. winners

We also believe exceptional editing should be accessible. Our sliding scale pricing reflects our acknowledgement that financial circumstances shouldn’t prevent talented writers from receiving professional guidance.

Service Tiers

Premium Developmental Edit

For serious authors targeting top-tier literary journals and commercial publication

Pricing: $0.04–0.07/word (approximately $55/hour)

What you receive:

  • Complete manuscript analysis with tracked changes throughout
  • Comprehensive editorial report addressing:
    • Narrative structure and pacing
    • Character development and voice
    • Thematic coherence
    • Market positioning and submission strategy
  • 30-minute video consultation to discuss revisions
  • Style sheet documenting editorial decisions
  • One follow-up review (up to 25 pages) after revisions

Turnaround: 3–4 weeks for manuscripts up to 80,000 words

Best for: Manuscripts you plan to submit to agents, publishers, or journals like Granta, The Paris Review, n+1, or Consequence itself.

Premium Line Edit

For authors with structurally sound manuscripts ready for sentence-level refinement

Pricing: $0.07–0.10 per word (approximately $50/hour)

What you receive:

  • Line-by-line editing focused on:
    • Clarity and precision
    • Rhythm and flow
    • Voice consistency
    • Stylistic elegance
  • Copy editing for grammar, punctuation, and mechanics
  • Style sheet documenting patterns and conventions
  • 2–3 page editorial note on stylistic strengths and patterns to watch
  • 30-minute consultation call (optional)

Turnaround: 2–3 weeks for manuscripts up to 80,000 words

Best for: Manuscripts that have been through developmental revision and need prose-level polish before submission.

Standard Developmental Edit

For authors seeking professional structural guidance

Pricing: $0.03–0.04/word (approximately $40/hour)

What you receive:

  • Manuscript review with running commentary on key passages
  • Editorial report focusing on the 3–4 most critical revision areas:
    • Structure and pacing
    • Character or argument development
    • Voice and tone
    • Opening and closing effectiveness
  • Brief email follow-up to answer clarifying questions

Turnaround: 3–4 weeks for manuscripts up to 80,000 words

Best for: Writers who need focused, actionable feedback on major structural issues without sentence-level editing.

Standard Line Edit

For authors needing clarity, consistency, and error correction

Pricing: $0.015–0.025/word (approximately $35/hour)

What you receive:

  • Line editing for clarity and readability
  • Copy editing for grammar, spelling, and punctuation
  • Summary document highlighting:
    • Most common error patterns
    • Stylistic inconsistencies addressed
    • Suggestions for further revision

Turnaround: 2–3 weeks for manuscripts up to 80,000 words

Best for: Clean manuscripts that need professional polish but not extensive rewriting.

Manuscript Consultation

For writers unsure which service they need

Pricing: $250 flat fee

What you receive:

  • Review of up to 30 pages of your manuscript
  • 40-minute video consultation covering:
    • Assessment of your manuscript’s current state
    • Recommended editing approach
    • Discussion of your publication goals
    • Guidance on next steps
  • Brief written summary of our conversation

Turnaround: 1 week

Best for: Writers at a crossroads who want expert guidance before investing in full editing services.

Sliding Scale Access Program

We are committed to making professional editing accessible regardless of financial circumstances.

Writers facing economic barriers may apply for a 30–50% discount on any service tier. This program is available globally and operates on an honor system.

Eligibility

This program is designed for writers who:

  • Are students, emerging writers, or working in low-wage fields
  • Live in countries with significantly lower purchasing power
  • Face financial hardship that would otherwise prevent access to professional editing

How to Apply

When requesting a quote, simply include a brief statement (4–5 sentences) explaining your circumstances. Examples:

  • “I’m a graduate student in Lagos, Nigeria, working on my first novel. My monthly income is approximately $400 USD.”
  • “I’m a high school teacher in rural Kentucky supporting a family. Professional editing at standard rates would represent 15% of my monthly income.”
  • “I’m an emerging writer in Buenos Aires. With the current exchange rate, standard editing costs would equal two months of my salary.”

We trust our community. No documentation is required, though we reserve the right to verify information for repeat clients or unusually large projects.

Our Capacity

We can typically accommodate 8–12 sliding scale projects per quarter. If demand exceeds capacity, we will maintain a waitlist and prioritize based on submission order and project scope.

Pricing Calculation & Estimates

How we calculate per-word pricing:

Our editors work at different speeds depending on manuscript complexity. The per-word ranges reflect:

  • Lower end: Cleaner manuscripts requiring less intervention
  • Higher end: Manuscripts needing more extensive work

When you request a quote, we’ll ask for:

  1. A 10-page sample of your manuscript
  2. Your project goals and timeline
  3. Your budget parameters

We’ll then provide a fixed price quote based on our assessment. You’ll know the exact cost and timeline before work begins.

For hourly billing: We track time in 15-minute increments and provide detailed invoices. Most clients prefer per-word pricing for cost predictability.

Working With Us: Process & Policies

Getting Started

Submit an inquiry through our contact form including:
~Brief project description (genre, word count, current stage)
~10-page manuscript sample (PDF or Word)
~Your publication goals and desired timeline
~Whether you’re applying for sliding scale pricing

Receive a quote within 3 business days with:
~Recommended service tier
~Fixed price estimate & projected timeline
~Editor bio (when possible, we match editors by genre/subject expertise)

Book your project with a 50% deposit. We begin work upon receipt.

Revision & Cancellation Policy

Free sample edit: We provide a 500-word sample edit before you commit to ensure our editorial approach matches your needs

Satisfaction guarantee: If you’re not satisfied with the first 10 pages of editing, we’ll revise our approach or provide a full refund

Cancellations:
~Before work begins: Full refund minus $50 administrative fee
~After work begins: Refund of deposit minus completed work (calculated at hourly rate)

Payment & Timeline Flexibility

Payment
~We accept debit & credit cards, Zelle, and international bank transfers
~Payment plans available for projects over $1,000 (contact us to arrange)
~Currency: USD (we’re happy to provide estimates in other currencies for reference)

Timeline Flexibility
~Rush service: Available for an additional 25% (2-week turnaround)
~Extended timeline: Discounts available for clients who can wait 6+ weeks (contact us)

After Your Edit

Editors remain available for brief email clarifications (up to 3 exchanges)

We offer discounted re-editing rates (25% off) for manuscripts that have been substantially revised based on our feedback

FAQs

Do you edit academic work?

We specialize in creative writing and literary nonfiction. For academic manuscripts, we recommend editors with subject-specific expertise.

What's your acceptance rate?

We accept most projects but may decline manuscripts that:
~Require developmental work beyond our scope (we’ll recommend developmental editors)
~Fall outside our editorial expertise
~Contain content that violates our ethical standards

Can I choose my editor?

 We assign editors based on genre/subject match. If you’ve worked with a Consequence editor before, you may request them specifically (subject to availability).

Do you guarantee publication?

No editorial service can guarantee publication. We provide the professional feedback that can significantly improves your chances of acceptance.

Do you offer feedback on query letters or book proposals?

Yes. Query letter editing: $150. Book proposal editing: $500–800 depending on length. Contact us for details.

How do I know if I need developmental or line editing?

 If you’re unsure, book a Manuscript Consultation ($250) or send us a sample for a free assessment.

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