Ibis Editorial & Design specializes in providing quality editing, design, copy writing, and content-creation services. We offer affordable prices for emerging and established authors and small businesses.
Our primary inspiration for creating Ibis was to combine all of our skills and expertise into one business, providing services that can be utilized individually or collectively. Our collective writing, editing, and design skills allow Ibis to be a one-stop shop of sorts, one that can:
Ibis can provide continuity and consistency of services for your project, whatever its shape or size, so you know that everyone working on your book, business, or website is able to freely communicate not only with you but with each other to ensure that you get the best possible experience and final product.
Best of all, we can do this at a significantly reduced price. Any combined editing, content, and design services over $100 get a 15% discount off the total bill, which we hope will be a boon to our clients.
Ibis Editorial and Design was created by three longtime friends, colleagues, and collaborators based near the region of Illinois known as “Little Egypt.” This nickname led to the choice of the ibis as not only our professional name but as the primary symbol of our business: in Egyptian mythology, the ibis is most often associated with Thoth, the god of wisdom, writing, science, magic, and art.
At Ibis, our primary passion is for the written and visual arts; we are all readers, and we read everything from classic literature to fan fiction to deep-dive nonfiction to steamy romance. However, we are all also consumers who appreciate strong marketing and effective communication. We are entrepreneurs who created our business after years of working in the communications, education, marketing, technology, and service industries. Our combined editing, writing, and design expertise constitutes 45+ years of professional experience.
As artists and experts in our respective fields, we find joy in creation. We look forward to sharing that joy with our fellow artists and entrepreneurs -- and we look forward to bringing every project to its fullest, brightest potential, whatever its size and scope!
Mary Morris has an MFA in creative writing from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale and currently works as a ghostwriter for Scribe Media. Her short fiction, nonfiction, and poetry has been published in Carve, Gastronomica, Booth, Flash Fiction Magazine, and Mom Egg Review, and her first contemporary novel is currently on submission. She is represented (as Mary Morris/Mary-Louise Morgan) by Bonnie Swanson at the Purcell Agency.
Before she co-founded Ibis Editorial, Mary taught for twelve years as an assistant professor in English at Frontier Community College in Fairfield, Illinois. In addition to teaching, she has nearly a decade of experience working as a newspaper reporter, a proofreader/copy editor, an editorial assistant, and a freelance writer.
Find out more here:
J. Bull has a BA in English literature from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale. In more than fifteen years of experience as a reporter and freelance writer, Bull has written for multiple newspapers and publishers, with a specific emphasis on marketing and promotional writing. In addition, Bull also worked as a technical writer and editor for K-12 content-management company SchoolCenter prior to its acquisition by Edline/Blackboard. A life-long reader, Bull is the proud author of two urban-fantasy novels, with two more on the way.
C.K. Underhill has a double BA in art and philosophy as well as a master's in education. Underhill has 18 years of experience in the field of graphic design and art, working as a graphic designer and a workbook illustrator, in addition to working as a fine-arts teacher, a graphic-design teacher, an instructional technologist, and a communications coordinator for a small private boarding school, where Underhill managed the school’s social media, website, marketing, and print materials. Aside from Photoshop and Illustrator, Underhill’s preferred artistic mediums are photography, charcoal, acrylic, mixed-media collage, and pencil.
In a developmental edit, your editor will take a deep dive into your fiction or nonfiction manuscript, carefully sifting through your words with an eye toward everything that ties into the big picture, from plot points and consistency to narration to character motivation to conflict and everything in between. Whatever your genre and whatever your goals, we’ll help you make sure all the elements of your writing are working in sync to make your manuscript the best it can possibly be. (Developmental edits are available for partial manuscripts as well as completed manuscripts.)
You’ll get:
Once you have done an initial developmental edit and completed revisions on your manuscript, you may request another round of developmental edits or a beta read for a reduced price. Why might this need to happen? Revising a manuscript is not generally a “one and done” process, unfortunately; it can take time and multiple drafts to get it in the best possible shape. This is something especially important to consider if you plan to self-publish your book, as you will want it to be on par with the traditionally published books that have gone through several rounds of fine-tuning through edits and proofreads.
(Note that the developmental-edit service does not include feedback on grammar/mechanics, but you can add line editing or a final-polish proofreading for a reduced price.)
If the developmental edit views the larger elements of your manuscript with a wide-angle lens, the line edit examines your writing with a microscope. This is what most people think of when they think of “editing” -- it means your editor will be reviewing your writing at the sentence level for style, grammar/mechanics, and syntax, ensuring that your structure and language are clear and effective and that the flow and rhythm of your prose is top-notch. We’re looking at everything from paragraph breaks to spelling here. We pay particular attention to dialogue and consistency of voice within the narration, as these are two vital areas of importance for readers.
Before we begin the line-editing process,
you’ll get:
Upon your approval of our sample and acceptance of our quote, you’ll get:
Once you have written a full-length novel or nonfiction book and have taken it through the editing-and-revision process, you may decide to self-publish; however, many authors plan to pursue traditional publishing. (In our opinion, both routes have their pros and cons.) This is where querying comes into the picture. If you wish to find a literary agent or a publishing house for your book, you will require a strong query letter and a brief synopsis, as well as a rock-solid opening chapter, as these are the materials most often required when querying agents or publishers.
A query letter is the cover letter that will hook the agent/publisher and make them want to read your book. It works similarly to the back-cover copy on a book and should establish the primary characters and conflict but not spoil the ending. This will also be where you provide information about yourself and any credentials/publishing credits.
A synopsis is a brief (1-2 page) overview of every important plot point in your book, up to and including the ending.
If you need assistance crafting, organizing, editing, or proofreading a query or synopsis, Ibis is here to help. Once you have determined which services you need, we will begin the process. If you’ve already written your query or synopsis, you can send it to us; if you need help writing it, we’ll send you a form to help get you started and ready for the developmental edit!
Query-Letter Services
Synopsis Services
All-in-One Query-Package Bundle
All query-letter services and synopsis services can be bundled together, plus a first-chapter line edit and final-polish proof, for $100.
You’ll get:
The proofread of a manuscript is all about attention to detail on a purely grammatical and mechanical level. This is where we will find and correct any errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling, ensuring consistency in verb tense, capitalization, etc. and accuracy in all aspects of word usage. This final polish is also important for catching any lingering issues in continuity and consistency -- a very real concern after various rounds of revisions have resulted in changes throughout a manuscript. As stated above, the proofread of a manuscript is an important part of the writing process; this should be your final step before self-publishing or querying your manuscript!
You’ll get:
We will provide beta reading services for manuscripts of all sizes. A beta read is meant to provide the author with an idea of what is working and what is not working within the manuscript as a whole. Beta-read feedback will encompass plot, character, POV, setting, and theme on all levels, and it will be delivered in a comprehensive report, to be sent to the author. Beta-reading services do not include comments on the text itself. (Beta reads are available for partial manuscripts as well as completed manuscripts.)
You’ll get:
Genres that our editors will be happy to read:
If your genre is not listed, or if you aren’t sure of your genre, feel free to contact us and ask!
Allow Ibis to assist you by creating your content! From helping to fill out your website to writing press releases and marketing copy, we offer effective and eloquent content solutions for your personal and business needs. Did you love writing your book but don’t know how to market it? We can write a press release or promotional blurb that builds interest and boosts your sales! Do you need well-written informational and advertising copy for your business or website? We can provide everything you need -- and we can beta-test and proofread your website, too! All copyrighting content services come with an initial e-mail consult with your copywriter, one (1) revision of the content per your specifications, and a final-polish proofread.
One of the most challenging aspects of running an organization, writing a novel, or planning an event is letting people know about it in a way that spotlights not only exciting new developments but also the creative force behind the scenes. Press releases that are professional, informative, and well-written can make all the difference.
You’ll get:
Do you already have a website and/or social-media accounts but sometimes struggle to find the best way to promote your projects? While writers may be wonderful wordsmiths, it can be challenging to hype yourself and your work. Allow Ibis to write marketing copy that sings your praises -- and your project’s praises -- for you! For writers, we can provide polished blurbs, teasers, and dust-jacket copy; for all artists and creative projects, we can provide any kind of promotional copy you may need in any format specified. Let Ibis perfect your marketing copy to show your work in its absolute best light!
You’ll get:
Website content should not be confused with website creation or design. Website content is simply the information you read when you arrive at an already established website. If you wish to keep your site looking up-to-date and fresh, posting new content regularly helps. We understand that it is difficult to write your books, oversee your business, and/or run your organization on a daily basis -- why not allow Ibis to provide the copy that keeps your website refreshed and relevant? Whether you are an organization, business, or individual, many customers or potential readers check out your website. Ibis can write and edit your website copy so that you come across as both professional and approachable.
You’ll get:
Do you have an idea for a novel or story but aren’t sure how to begin putting it into words? Would you like to write a nonfiction book about yourself or others but are having trouble getting started or finding a clear focus? On the other hand, are you currently writing but are stuck or having trouble with plotting or organizing your ideas? We fully understand. Sometimes a fantastic idea, a great setting, or a wonderful character comes into our work but we don’t know what to do with it. Let Ibis be your sounding board -- we can help you plot your novel, nonfiction work, or fan fiction in such a way that all those wonderful ideas you have in your mind can be showcased to the best possible advantage.
With this particular service, it’s difficult to pin-point what “you’ll get,” as we realize that our clients’ needs and wants may be many and varied. However, we hope that our advice and feedback will help you navigate any (or all) of the many obstacles involved in writing a complete manuscript -- whatever size or scope it may be!
How it will work:
If you would like to add more e-mails with your sounding board at Ibis, you can do so at a reduced rate!
C.K. Underhill is the artist and graphic designer of Ibis Editorial and Design. Each design service comes with one (1) initial e-mail consult and quote, three (3) unique concepts, and two (2) rounds of revisions. Quotes will be based on complexity of design. However, you can add more concepts and revisions for your project for a higher fee.
For books, novellas, chapbooks, stories, fan-fiction, and more
For businesses and creatives
For festivals, book signings, concerts and more
From simple to statement-making
For weddings, galas, award ceremonies, and more
Light retouching to full photo manipulation for headshots, vintage photos, historical recoloring, and repair
All premade book covers are unique and sold only once. Choose your favorite cover, and we will customize it with your book's title and your name. Minor changes are also included. As soon as the transaction is complete, we will send you your cover in a high-resolution file that you can use immediately. Upload your brand-new cover on Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), iBooks, Barnes & Noble Press, Kobo, or any other online publishing platform! Watch for new covers added on a regular basis!
Click here to view our covers available for purchase.
Coming soon!
Designer's Note: Clients are welcome to e-mail images, concepts, etc. during initial stages of the project. Ibis Editorial and Design will only utilize copyright-free imaging or media purchased for this purpose. Ibis uses Adobe software (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator) for all design work. Hand-drawn designs are available at a higher price that will reflect that artist’s time and skill set. Artwork can be sent to the client in a variety of formats; most clients prefer a high-resolution jpeg.
While we are always working, our hours of communication are listed below.
We love our customers, so feel free to schedule a video call during regular business hours.
Mon | 08:00 am – 03:00 pm | |
Tue | 08:00 am – 03:00 pm | |
Wed | 08:00 am – 03:00 pm | |
Thu | 08:00 am – 03:00 pm | |
Fri | 08:00 am – 03:00 pm | |
Sat | By Appointment | |
Sun | By Appointment |
All services require a signed contract and a 50% deposit (if greater than $100) before work can begin, as Ibis takes both your work and our work seriously. Feel free to contact us with questions about payment plans for any project.
Design-project time frames will be negotiated between Ibis and the client, usually within one (1) business week. Those requiring overnight or otherwise expedited services will be subject to a 25% additional fee.
Editing-project time frames will be negotiated between Ibis and the client. However, any expedited services, such as completion within one (1) business week, will be subject to additional fees starting at 25%.
Disclaimer: Ibis Editing and Design retains the right to refuse service for any reason.