YOUR CONTENT: PROFESSIONALLY PRESENTED

Your message: clearly communicated

If you’re interested in booking my services, fill out this form to get started!

As a writer, you want your content to be professionally presented and your message to be clearly communicated. Grammatical errors, typos, or imprecise wordings can significantly detract from the impact of a book or article. Resting Life Editing delivers just what every writer needs: flawless content in professional format. I offer quality editing, copy editing, proofreading, and ebook formatting services at affordable prices.

I don’t just edit. I help you become a better writer to improve your own self-editing. No matter what stage your book is in, my services will fit your needs. Whether you desire light editing, deep editing, pre-publication editing, copy editing, or proofreading, I will help your work shine.

As a thorough editor with nearly twenty years of editing experience, I am committed to helping your writing be the best it can be. I specialize in bringing your writing to professional levels through proofreading and editing for content, grammar, word choice, style, and formatting. I am willing to work with you and to allow you as the writer to be the final authority on your writing.

I am flexible and will deliver your work to you on time every time. I am committed to excellence, integrity, professionalism, and honesty. My comprehensive knowledge of English grammar and style will bring your book or article to professional standards. I edit according to the Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition.

I specialize in Christan fiction and non-fiction but will consider a wide variety of literature, articles, web content, sermons, speeches, and more. I reserve the right to reject any manuscript for any reason.

What to Expect

1. You fill out the initial form.

2. Along with the form, you can choose to send me an sample chapter of up to 1000 words, which I will edit and return.

3. I will be in touch with you. Once we’ve agreed upon editing style and depth, I’ll send you the editing contract and an invoice of payment of half of the cost via Paypal.

4. Once we’ve both signed the contract, you may send me your manuscript.

5. When the first invoice has been paid, I’ll begin editing your manuscript.

6. Normal turnaround time is four to eight weeks, though this can vary.

7. On or before the deadline, I will return your edited manuscript and send you the final invoice for the remaining half of the cost.

When editing digital content, I use the “Track Changes” feature of Microsoft Word 2010 so that you can always see the changes I had made and accept or reject them as you desire. I also leave comments in the document to let you know my thoughts on the content and to indicate larger changes or rewrites necessary. Furthermore, I will provide you with a comprehensive analysis of your book or piece from an editor’s perspective. I send you both a clean copy of the document with all changes accepted and a copy with all the tracked changes visible and ready for you to accept or reject.

I edit content for the following:

Typographical errors

Grammatical errors

Spelling errors

Development

Formatting

Awkward transitions

Redundancies

Biased language/stereotyping

Wordiness

Clarity

Confusing phrasing

Content

Cohesiveness

Rates and Packages

If you’re interested in booking my services, fill out this form to get started!

My base rate is $30 for proofreading and $50 for editing.

📦 Editing Packages

🟦 STANDARD MANUSCRIPT PACKAGE — Most Popular

Covers all core needs of most authors: technical, stylistic, and some content support.
Includes:

Copy + Line Edit
Light Proofreading (courtesy)
Limited Content Notes
Rate: $10/1000 words
Add Final Proofread: +$4/1000 words
Add Formatting: +$30–$150+ per format

🟩 BASIC POLISH PACKAGE — Final Proofread Only

For manuscripts that are already edited and just need a final polish. If booking independently and not as an add-on, a sample of 1-5 chapters must be sent in advance to verify that the manuscript is ready for proofreading.
Includes: Final Proofread
Rate: $5/1000 words
Optional add-on: eBook or Paperback formatting (+$30–$200 each)

🟨 ESSENTIAL EDIT PACKAGE — Copy Edit Only

For authors confident in their structure and style but need strong grammar/spelling/formatting review.
Includes: Copy Edit
Rate: $10/1000 words
Add Proofread: +$4/1000 words
Add formatting: +$30–$150+ per format

🟥 INTENSIVE AUTHOR PACKAGE — Best for first-time or developmental needs

Deep editorial feedback and multiple passes, ideal for debut authors or manuscripts needing heavy levels of editing.
Includes:

Intensive Line + Copy Editing
Multiple Read-throughs
Light Proofread
Limited structural/style notes as needed
Rate: $25/1000 words
Add Final Proofread: +$4/1000 words
Add Formatting: +$30–$200 per format

🛠️ Formatting Packages (A La Carte)

📱 Kindle eBook Formatting

Basic Formatting for Amazon Kindle:
Up to 25,000 words: $30 flat rate
25,000-60,000 words: $50 flat rate
60,000-100,000 words $100 flat rate
100,000 words and up: $150+

📕 Paperback Formatting (KDP)

Formatting for paperback suitable for Amazon KDP/PDF:
Up to 25,000 words: $60 flat rate
25,000-60,000 words: $125 flat rate
60,000-100,000 words $175 flat rate
100,000 words and up: $200+
Add-ons:
- Each image/table/special element: +$5

📕📱 Combined Formatting Package

Formatting for both paperback and Kindle
Up to 25,000 words: $75 flat rate
25,000-60,000 words: $150 flat rate
60,000-100,000 words $200 flat rate
100,000 words and up: $225+
Add-ons:
- Each image/table/special element: +$5

Optional Add-ons

Rush Fee (under 2 weeks for full MS): +25–50%
Sample Edit (2–5 pages/under 1k words): available upon request

Scheduling

Now accepting bookings for 2025-2026!

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Please plan to book editing services in advance. I may or may not have openings immediately.

Please plan to allow six to eight weeks turnaround time, though this can vary depending on the length of your manuscript and the editing package you choose.

Book Now

If you’re interested in booking my services, fill out this form to get started!

If you need a specialized edit or only part of the package, I’m happy to discuss it with you and adjust the rate to match your needs.

Contact me for more information. I am excited to work with you to communicate your message professionally and clearly!

Portfolio

BOOKS COPY EDITED BY ERIKA MATHEWS

Bought With a Price by Amanda Silvey
Pathway to Prayer by Elizabeth Mathews
On My Own by Kasia Nimocks
The Dust of His Fingerprints by Chelsea Burden

BOOKS PROOFREAD/FORMATTED BY ERIKA MATHEWS

Testimonials & Reviews

“Erika is a jewel…a gift…most certainly, a treasure. She recently edited my book which is a story of our life’s journey, including multiple challenges and heartbreaks. She was so tender in her editing style. Erika was very sensitive to the material being shared, and she offered valuable advice as to what was most appropriate in print form.
“I am forever grateful for Erika and her ability to enhance the effectiveness of our book’s message. She even added a few personal comments along the way to let me know how the story was affecting her.
“Although our only correspondence has been through word documents and emails, I definitely feel a sweet connection to Erika…a spirit connection. She is precious and a delight!”
~ Cindy Lou Cleveland, author of Quiet Strength: A True Story of Unexpected Loss and Unexplainable Peace

“Erika has edited quite a few of [my] novels, doing copy and/or line edits, and every time, she’s done a great, professional job and caught a lot of things I might not have on my own!”
~ Kellyn Roth, author of The Chronicles of Alice & Ivy, The Hilton Legacy, Kees & Colliers, and founder & owner of Wild Blue Wonder Press

“Working with Erika has been a huge blessing! I’ve had some bad editing experiences in the past, but Erika’s gentle, compassionate way of giving feedback has greatly improved the process for me. She is thorough, easy-to-work-with, and good at grasping the spirit of the story. I would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for a Christian editor who does good work in a Christlike spirit!”
~ Chelsea Burden, author of Fellowship of Light, Tomorrow Isn’t Promised, & The Secret of Eternal Spring

“I would recommend Erika to anyone looking for a copyeditor or proof reader. Her work is knowledgeable and professional, she communicates sensitively and affirmingly, and she does a fabulous job of embracing the writing style of the individual author she’s working with. Editing a manuscript is one of the most vulnerable activities in a writer’s life. I have been so blessed by the gentleness and dependability with which Erika walks beside her clients through that process.”
~ Courtenay Burden, author of Hazelby Priors, Old Ruddy’s Questions, & As the Heavens Are Higher

“I struggle a lot with critique of my stories, and have had some bad editing experiences in the past, but Erika was so easy to work with! She was so encouraging and sweet. Her thorough, professional work gave me peace of mind, and I deeply appreciate how she adjusted to my tight deadline. Her formatting was also excellent; she was so gracious with my little preferences, and very understanding of last-minute changes we had to do. I highly recommend her as an editor and a formatter! “
~ Katja Labonté, author of A Noble Comfort