My name, Sterling, has many meanings, some of which I'm sure you've heard: of high quality, genuine, excellence. But my name also has the meaning "little star," which felt fitting. I've always loved what stars stand for: hope, discovery, beauty, grandeur, power, and potential.

I have always liked silver, because I'd tell people to spell my name "like the silver." Argentum is the Latin word for silver, and a writer has a silver tongue—just on the page. 

Put together, Stargentum was born. 

In my editorial work, I encourage authors to reach for the STARs as they write—the Stories That Are Real. Whether that is to put their heart on the page in their prose or memoir, or craft a novel that is so powerful it has real impact on the reader, my goal is to help authors put their best work on the page. For it to be real, authentic, to the reader. 

My commitment is for every author I work with and every book I work to to have a genuine, quality experience and outcome, one where their story and writings are taken to new heights, landing among the stars. You can read more about my editorial services below. 

Stargentum Editorial (division of Stargentum LLC)

Includes two to three rounds of editing, depending on manuscript's needs.

Round 1: full read-through of manuscript; comprehensive editorial developmental letter for high-level items; video call to discuss findings and approaches for revisions

Round 2: full read-through of revised manuscript with in-line commentary pertaining to developmental items on the paragraph level; minor track changes to adjust wording

Round 3 (if needed): spot read of items adjusted in Round 2 with final notes and track changes as needed

Timeline: two to three months (average) 

Rate: $0.03 per word

Includes full copyedited manuscript in compliance with Chicago Manual of Style 18th edition, Merriam-Webster, The Chicago Guide to Copyediting Fiction, publisher's house style guide (if applicable), and previous conventions designated by author or previous works in the series (if applicable). A unique style sheet is included, which details changed spellings, stylistic decisions, fact-checking, queries, and dates/timelines. For fiction titles, characters (and their attributes), timelines, and settings are noted in the style sheet as well to ensure higher consistency in the work.  

Timeline: two to three weeks (four may be needed for titles over 100,000 words) 

Rate: $0.015 per word

Includes a full check of your laid-out book, commenting on layout design to keep your manuscript in compliance with the Chicago Manual of Style, the book-industry standard convention of editing. A full read-through of the text is completed to catch last spelling and CMoS errors. 

Timeline: two to three weeks

Rate: $0.01 per word

Includes two rounds of editing that ensures a consistent tone of voice, enhanced language, smoothing out hard-to-read prose, and queries on minor developmental edit items. 

Round 1: comprehensive read-through with track changes visible and comments/queries running along the side; sent with a two-page minieditorial letter, detailing what is working well and what needs more universal work/author discretion for changes

Round 2: a full read-through of the newly edited manuscript, with additional track changes and content queries 

Timeline: two months (average) 

Rate: $0.02 per word

As an editor, a montage that I live by is "consistency and flexibility." I deliver consistent quality of work and am flexible to work with so we can bring your book up to the highest quality possible. I'm also consistent in my commitment to support writers and can be flexible on my pricing. If you are wanting one of the following services but your budget doesn't match exactly, reach out to me still. I'm open to discussing rates and services that fit us both.