Editing Services

Welcome, writers! If you are looking for editorial help for your novel, short fiction, or other creative work, I offer editing services in all shapes and sizes. If you’d like to know more, or want a free consultation and quote, please get in touch by filling out the form below.

Overview of services

developmental editing/beta reading

This edit looks at the big picture of your story and provides a broad critique on your overall arch, structure, theme, and narrative elements. I provide comments in the form of an editorial letter, usually about 3-6 pages. This service is similar to what a beta or first reader might provide, but with professional insight into the craft of writing at the foundational story level.
For a standard 50,000-word novel, this service usually takes 3-5 business days.

substantive editing

This edit fine-tunes the smaller pieces that make up the bigger picture. I critique your story for issues concerning pacing, scene structure, characterization, plot, narrative structure, setting, world building, genre, and more. I provide comments chapter-by-chapter/scene-by-scene within the manuscript document as well as an editorial letter. This differs from a developmental edit in that it works with smaller pieces of the plot and character arcs within the larger story.
For a standard 50,000-word novel, this service can take up to 10 business days, depending on the extent of editing required.

line editing

This edit examines the writing craftsmanship at the sentence and paragraph level. It addresses style, voice, clarity, atmosphere and mood, verb tense, point of view, dialogue, word choice and more. In other words, this type of editing polishes the writing so that you are not only telling a compelling story or argument, but delivering that story in the best possible words.

This type of edit does not typically include corrections to spelling, grammar, and punctuation (proofreading); however, if I notice frequent errors of a kind, I will direct your attention to them. Your writing should be polished and professional–something you can be proud of!
For a standard 50,000-word novel, this service can take up to business 14 days, depending on the extent of editing required.

copy editing/proofreading

This edits manuscript for mechanics like grammar, spelling, punctuation, clarity, and other linguistic or typographical errors. Issues of continuity and consistency are also addressed. This is usually best done on a final draft.
For a standard 50,000-word novel, this service typically takes 5-7 business days.

basic services

These are a good starting place if you aren’t accustomed to working with an editor or you’d like to sample my services before diving in.

Starter Edit — $50

Send your synopsis or outline along with your first chapter and I will give a thorough critique on your novel’s opening (for plot, characters, prose, the works) as well as feedback on your plot (or proposed plot). Note that you needn’t have finished an entire draft to use this service, but it is a good next step for early drafts.
For the chapter edit:
First, I will read your chapter (up to 6,000 words) and give you feedback on the plot, characterization, narrative structure, setting, world building, genre, scene structure, pacing, and more. I will help you determine: if your Inciting Incident is a solid start to the story; if your protagonist is a character readers can get behind and whether you properly introduce your main characters; whether the setting and genre are clearly defined; whether your story begins with a strong hook and finishes with a prompt that guides the reader into the next chapter. I’ll provide suggestions on what you can do to improve your first chapter (i.e., a substantive edit).
Second, I will edit your prose for style, voice, clarity, atmosphere and mood, verb tense, point of view, dialogue, word choice and more (i.e., a line edit).
Depending on availability, this service usually takes 1-3 business days.

manuscript assessment– starting at $75

Not sure what your manuscript needs? This option is a diagnostic service in which I read your most current draft and give you some guidance on where to go next. I will point out areas of weakness and areas of strength, though keep in mind that this differs from a developmental edit in that it evaluates the condition of your manuscript, not the plot.
For a standard 50,000-word novel, this services usually takes 5-7 business days.

Interested in working together? Tell me about yourself and your project!