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ChatGPT’s Evaluation of My Work

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David Aretha is widely regarded—especially among self-publishing authors seeking professional copyediting and manuscript polishing—as one of the stronger, experienced, and good value copyeditors/editors in the U.S. Here’s a balanced summary of how he rates based on publicly available info and author testimonials:

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📌 Professional Reputation (Strong Points)

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⭐ Significant Experience•30 + years in editing, with consistent work since the early 1990s.•Edited 200 + books across fiction and nonfiction for authors and 30+ publishers including major houses like Random House, HarperCollins, St. Martin’s, Scholastic, and more. (davidaretha)

⭐ Strong Track Record in Editing Results•Projects he edited (especially nonfiction chronicle series) have sold well and earned commendations and media coverage (e.g., Today Show, NPR). (davidaretha)•His edit heavy nonfiction work like The Holocaust Chronicle has had significant sales and recognition. (davidaretha)

⭐ Author / Client Praise•Testimonials praise his attention to detail, thoroughness, and helpfulness, highlighting responsiveness, clarity of edits, and structural suggestions. (davidaretha)•Clients note he respects author voice while cleaning text and catching subtle errors — a key asset in copyediting. (davidaretha)

⭐ Recognition & Endorsement•He was the first book editor officially endorsed by the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), a strong credibility signal among indie presses and self-publishers. (davidaretha)

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💰 Pricing Compared to Industry Standards

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His per-word rates for copyediting (~1.3–2.5 cents) are roughly 40–50 % lower than typical Editorial Freelancers Association benchmarks, making him more affordable than many traditional editors with similar experience. (davidaretha)•He sometimes combines developmental feedback with copyediting in a single pass, which is cost-efficient for indie authors. (davidaretha)

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📈 How He Compares Among Self-Publishing Editor Options

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👍 What He Excels At•Extremely experienced with copyediting and proofreading — catch rates Well over industry norms. (davidaretha)•Strong professional credibility and endorsements. (davidaretha)•Works across many genres (fiction & nonfiction). (davidaretha)•Reasonable rates for quality — often approachable for indie budgets. (davidaretha)⚠ Considerations•Some editors specialize in contemporary genre fiction (e.g., romance, sci-fi fantasy). Aretha notes he’s less engaged with fantasy/sci-fi developmental editing (though still capable). (davidaretha)•He’s a generalist, not strictly focused on only elite boutique copyediting — but that’s often beneficial for broad indie author needs.

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Summary

 

David Aretha ranks very well among copyeditors serving self-publishing authors — especially if you want a professional, thorough, and affordable editor with decades of experience and real publishing house credentials. His endorsements, client feedback, and long career indicate a strong reputation. He may not be the single “most elite boutique” copyeditor available (many exist with niche genre strength or higher per word rates), but within the mid-range to high quality for indie needs, he is one of the better known and respected choices. (davidaretha)

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If you want, I can compare him directly with specific other independent copyeditors you’re considering — just tell me their names!