The beautiful part of writing is that you don’t have to get it right the first time, unlike, say, a brain surgeon. (Robert Cormier)
The other beautiful part is that you can get some help.
When you read what you’ve written, you don’t read what you’ve written. You read what you think you’ve written. They’re not always the same. You need someone to read what you’ve written before your reader sees it.
I ensure that nothing gets between your reader and your message.
When you write, that’s what you want. With Michael Edits, that’s what you get.
The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.
Proofreading is not an expense. It is an investment.
Your writing is like a window pane. Let Michael Edits be your Windex™.
Contact michaeledits3@gmail.com for more information.
If you’re not satisfied, don’t pay me.
The price for my proofreading service is 2 cents per word. I don’t charge one price for one type of editing or proofreading service and a different price to add on another service. Two cents per word covers everything.
I do not proofread printed documents. I work by email. My preferred format is Microsoft Word, but I also work with Google Docs.
Editing is not the same as proofreading but I always do both. When I worked at Scribendi (I was EM392), the only thing I was scolded for was giving someone an edit who had only paid for a proofread. Well, that’s just how I’m wired. If I see a way to improve your writing, I’m going to point it out. Thinking “I see a mistake but you didn’t pay me enough to fix it” strikes me as unethical.
When you use my proofreading service, I’ll be looking at your writing from a different vantage point than you are. I’m not as close to your work as you are. If you forgot to mention something that you know but your reader doesn’t, I’ll spot it. If you’ve repeated yourself but were just too weary after half a dozen rounds of fast-paced deadline-driven self-editing to notice it, I’ll spot it.
I’ll ensure that your writing is clear and concise, that the overall flow and structure are logical, and that your document is free of spelling or grammar errors. I’ll eliminate run-on sentences, wordiness, awkward constructions, vague language, and anything else that makes a reader stop and go “Huh?”
I’ll always respect your writing style, your overall tone, and your unique writing voice. This is why I make my changes using the Tracking feature in Microsoft Word. Tracking rocks.
If you’d rather receive a clean “I don’t want to edit my editor” copy, we can do that too. You’re the boss. I’m just the gadfly.
PayPal is my usual payment method, but if you prefer something else, we can do that too. Most authors pay me after they receive the edited document, but if you want to prepay, I won’t stop you. I’ve never been asked for a refund, but if you’re the first, I’ll give it to you. No questions asked.
I became a full-time editor in 1991, and Michael Edits has been around since 1999.
Contact michaeledits3@gmail.com for more information.
Nicolás Antonio Jiménez, Senior Editor at Cigar Snob Magazine, Founding Editor at DADE Media Group
"Michael has been editing the copy we publish in Cigar Snob Magazine [since 2008]. We keep stupid hours when we’re up against a tight deadline; that, combined with a fully stocked bar just a few steps from our desks (research supplies) means we’re making little mistakes often, but seldom catching them all. We’ve been able to count on Michael, who’s a pleasure to work with, to keep our magazine’s copy coherent when we are anything but."
Carl Dickson, PropLIBRARY and Capture Planning
"CapturePlanning.com uses the services of Michael LaRocca and has been so pleased with the results that we'd like to publicly recommend him. He has kept us from looking stupid countless times. Since 2006, he has reviewed close to a million words of content for us. Working with Michael is easy and friction-free. He has been extremely flexible and helped us meet even our most unreasonable deadlines. He has spoiled us."
Erin Donley, Ghostwriter: Activism, Personal Growth, Leadership Books
"I hired Michael to proofread my book’s manuscript. My emails to him were quickly answered, his pricing was fair, and the speed at which he could whip out those edits was impressive! Typos are the bane of my existence, and I’m psyched to have found an editor with a skilled eye for detail. Knowing Michael is on my team gives me confidence and peace of mind as an author and ghostwriter."
Erik Calviño, Owner, Cigar Snob Magazine
"Michael has been an asset to our publication since his first assignment with us [in 2008]. His response times, accuracy, and adaptability to our industry vernacular have been his strengths. I highly recommend him."
Derek Lewis, Business Book Ghostwriter
"Impressively quick, impressively accurate, and impressively savvy. Michael is my secret weapon. He has saved me from countless embarrassments and faux pas. Nothing I write is fit to show until Michael says so."
Brenda E. Robinson, First African American female Navy pilot; President of Aviation Camps of the Carolinas Inc.
"Michael continues to save me and my reputation, by making sure what I meant to say is what people actually read. I am so very impressed with his work and his turnaround time is amazing. I don’t send out important documents, emails, or a whole book without going through him first. I am 100% assured that all grammar, punctuation, and spelling is perfect before I send it on as complete. He’s got my business for life."
Raquel Eatmon, Business Owner, Author and RE-TV host
"Michael LaRocca has an impeccable skill to make a story or any copy stronger and more fluent. His approach isn’t to change your story but to enhance it. That was my experience while working with Michael on my latest book, Beyond Enough: How to Lead with Your Whole Self (currently on Amazon). Michael’s work ethic is speedy, thorough and smart. Bring more life to your next project, speak with Michael."
Contact michaeledits3@gmail.com for more information.
Contact michaeledits3@gmail.com for more information.
Updated January 17, 2025
© Copyright 2010-2025, Michael LaRocca
Wesley Chapel, Florida
All communications are strictly confidential, especially the ones I can't remember.