Writing and Editing Services

Joey Madia: Writing, Editing, and Story Analysis

I have been a professional editor in the publishing industry for 32 years. I began in 1994 as a researcher and then assistant manager for the college overview publisher Peterson's Guides and then Wintergreen Orchard House. I have edited academic journals and books for leading publishing companies like Taylor and Francis, Brunner-Routledge, and Research Institute of America and organizations such as the Red Cross and AARP. I was a development editor for Springer Science and Medicine for several years, responsible for coordinating the production of books on cancer and medical simulation training.

    I have also edited numerous master’s theses, doctoral dissertations, and books (non-fiction and fiction, including memoirs) for independent authors, scholars, and small presses.

    I have extensive experience ghost-writing both fiction and non-fiction books and have co-written three commissioned screenplays and the book for a rock opera based on true stories. My clients include those in the world of high finance and investment, systems development, private security and weapons training, spirituality and life coaching, psychology, creative writing, theatre, film, Escape Rooms, audio drama, and historical entertainment.

Basic Rates (each project is different, but these are typical charges)

Fiction or non-fiction (based on Word documents double-spaced in 12 point type with

one-inch margins)

$9 per page for developmental editing/heavy editing (or a rate of $60 an hour)

$7 per page for standard editing (or a rate of $45 an hour)

$5 per page for proofreading

All changes are marked in Track Changes in Word

Thesis and Doctoral Dissertation Editing

$7 per page for standard editing.

$8 per page for heavy editing. 

$65 per hour for formatting tables, figures, etc.

Ghost Writing

Rates vary between $15 and $18 per page or an hourly rate of $80/hour, depending on the amount of development of character, plot, structure, etc. required.

The client retains all rights to the produced work and sole credit.

Story Analysis and Script Doctoring

$80/hour (flat rates can be negotiated based on page count and the type of work)

I have helped many novelists, screenwriters, and playwrights with their books and scripts, leading to high-level meetings with industry professionals and production deals. 

I provide a detailed analysis using industry standard tools to break your story down and find the areas that need work. I believe in the three-act model, the Hero's journey and tools such as Blake Snyder's Save the Cat.

Consulting and Coaching

$75/hour

Unfortunately, there are countless scams out there for writers, claiming to want to publish your book or turn it into a film. Many contests take advantage of writers as well, collecting fees and not providing much in exchange. I have been advising clients and saving them thousands of dollars they would have wasted on these scams.

    I can also consult on when it is best to go through agents or managers, submit directly to publishers or contests, and when to self-publish. I have extensive experience in self-publishing and working with publishers to publish my 18 fiction and non-fiction books.

    I am available through both Zoom and Skype for a consulting session. 

    I am also experienced in helping writers develop their skills and have 35 years of experience as a creative writing teacher and workshop leader. 

After-Editing Services (rate of $75/hour)

I am always cultivating relationships with publicists and hybrid book publishers, helping clients who decide to self-publish to compete in a very competitive field. If you are thinking about starting your own book imprint, self-publishing, or need advice about the market and developing your personal brand, let's talk. 

  Contact me at joeymadiawriter@gmail.com

Joey Madia is a storyteller in many forms. He is an actor, director, screenwriter, Escape Room and immersive experience designer, podcaster, historical education specialist, and author of 19 fiction and nonfiction books.

His one-man show and five novels on the Golden Age of Piracy, “The Cannon and the Quill,” have been entertaining and educating audiences since 2016 and have been featured in the North Carolina Travel Guide, Carolina Coast, and other magazines and on television in Japan.

The Cannon and the Quill is part of The Stanton Chronicles, 10 books (and counting!), which are History meets Mystery and the Paranormal. They draw from classic fiction (Sherlock Holmes, Frankenstein, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde), cryptids and other creatures (such as Mothman), UFO lore, the legends of Route 66, vampires, and fallen angels.

He has written two fantasy novels, Jester-Knight and Aldemere’s Dilemma.

He is the co-author of two nonfiction books on the paranormal and five nonfiction books on theatre and writing. His book on storytelling, Every Day Is a Story All Its Own, is now in its second edition and has been endorsed by several film and TV industry professionals. It has been an Amazon Number 1 new release bestseller.  

Joey works with publicists, agents, Fortune 500 companies, and producers around the country as a consultant, story analyst, ghostwriter, and script doctor. He’s written the narrative and designed the puzzles for eight historically themed Escape Rooms (including the 5-star Mothman ’66) and has consulted for the global competition team at Mercedes-Benz.

He is the writer of nearly thirty screenplays and stage plays.