The first step in the professional editing process, developmental editing covers aspects of big-picture storytelling. I will analyze elements of your manuscript including plot, structure, characterization, setting, pacing, and voice. An attentive read culminates in a written analysis of your manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses, along with potential solutions. Your manuscript will be marked with heavy comments, providing both editorial and reader-response insights.

Developmental editing should be completed before any type of prose-level editing, including line editing and proofreading. A budget-friendly alternative to developmental editing is the manuscript critique, which covers the same elements in a less comprehensive format.

Developmental Editing Includes:

• In-text comments on your manuscript
• An in-depth edit letter with an analysis and action plan
• A one-hour call to discuss your notes and revision plan

Developmental Editing Rate

• $0.04 per word

Is Developmental Editing Right For Me?

Developmental editing is an ideal first step, whether you are publishing traditionally or independently. If you have improved your manuscript as much as you can by yourself and are ready to receive deep, thoughtful feedback on your work, developmental editing is the right choice.

A manuscript critique is a budget-friendly option for authors who need feedback on the high-level elements of their work. Like developmental editing, a manuscript critique covers story-level elements including plot, structure, characterization, pacing, and voice.

A manuscript critique is less comprehensive than a developmental edit and does not include in-text comments or a call with the editor. However, a critique covers the same story-level elements and is a solid alternative to the more in-depth developmental editing service. A manuscript critique can also be called a manuscript evaluation.

After the critique, you will have a thorough understanding of your manuscript and story, along with a plan for tackling revisions.

A Manuscript Critique Includes:

• A written report with an analysis and action plan​​

Manuscript Critique Rate

• $0.025 per word

Is a Manuscript Critique Right For Me?

While developmental editing is an ideal option for many situations, a manuscript critique is a good alternative for authors with budget constraints or who are not yet ready for a developmental edit. If you are not sure what you need, a manuscript critique is a good starting point.

Authors can also pursue a manuscript critique prior to a developmental edit to address broader issues before exploring revisions more deeply.

Line editing involves changes at the sentence and paragraph levels to improve the flow and impact of the prose. This heavy, low-level editing addresses issues related to clarity, consistency, and concision, while maintaining and highlighting the work’s original voice. Line editing emphasizes craft above all else and is crucial to bringing prose up to a professional level.

During line editing, I am careful to maintain and highlight your unique voice, with the understanding that fiction line editing requires finesse and creative edits to match authorial intentions. You may also receive comments in the manuscript to help you understand my thought process and reasoning as you review changes.

Line editing may also be called heavy copyediting.

Line Editing Includes:

• Edits at the sentence and paragraph levels, delivered using Microsoft Word Track Changes​​

Line Editing Rate

• $0.04 per word

Is Line Editing Right For Me?

Line editing is one of the most important book editing services for self-publishing authors, and I recommend that all indie authors pursue line editing before their final proofread. Ensure you have completed all story-level revisions and edits, including developmental editing, before beginning a line edit.

Line editing can also help traditional authors impress agents and publishers. However, if constrained by budget, I recommend that aspiring traditional authors prioritize developmental editing over prose-level services.

Proofreading is the final stage of the editing process and should be completed after all other book editing services are finished. ​It addresses grammatical, spelling, and typographical errors. Proofreading includes changes to make the prose objectively correct and does not address style or substantive issues. Proofreading will correct issues related to spelling, punctuation, grammar, and basic formatting.

In most cases, I recommend a line edit prior to a proofread to ensure your prose is tight, strong, and ready for a final pass. After the proofread, your manuscript will be prepared for interior layout.

Proofreading Includes:

• Edits for objective correctness, delivered using Microsoft Word Track Changes​​

Line Editing Rate

• $0.025 per word

Is Proofreading Right For Me?

If your manuscript has already undergone line editing, it is likely ready for proofreading. Manuscripts that have not undergone professional prose-level editing are rarely ready for proofreading. If you are publishing traditionally, proofreading should be your lowest priority (with developmental editing the highest priority). However, independent authors should always pursue professional proofreading prior to publication.

The reread service is available following a developmental edit or manuscript critique. The editor carefully reads the revised manuscript, culminating in a brief written report evaluating the success of the revisions and outlining a game plan for moving forward. Depending on the needs of the manuscript, this service may instead comprise in-text comments.​

A Reread Report Includes:

• Feedback on the revised version of the manuscript (in the form of a report or in-text comments)

Reread Report Critique Rate

• $0.015 per word

Is a Reread Report Right For Me?