Description of Services

Manuscript Critique

My manuscript critique service evaluates a novel to identify strengths and areas for improvement. In it, I look at big-picture story elements and style-related issues, and feedback is given in the form of an editorial letter.

The letter will include feedback on any aspects that need highlighting, for example:

  • Marketability of the premise
  • Suitability of the story to the genre, category, and intended reader
  • World-building and setting
  • Plot
  • Pacing
  • Characterization
  • Voice/style
  • Other elements of the story that need highlighting

The letter will also point out issues that could possibly harm your chances of publishing success, such as plot holes, illogicalities, inconsistencies, and word-efficiency, clarity, and backstory problems.

This service includes two hours of follow-up discussion (either via phone or e-mail).*

Ready to book or have questions? Contact me.

Developmental Edit

My developmental editing service is an in-depth evaluation of a manuscript to identify strengths and areas for improvement. In it, I look from big-picture story elements down to the word level, and feedback is given in the form of an editorial letter and in-document comments that include a short chapter breakdown at the end of each chapter.

The letter will include feedback on any aspects that need highlighting, for example:

  • Marketability of the premise
  • Suitability of the story to the genre, category, and intended reader
  • World-building and setting
  • Plot
  • Pacing
  • Characterization
  • Voice/style
  • Other elements of the story that need highlighting

The chapter breakdown evaluates each chapter individually. In a few paragraphs per chapter, I weigh the chapter’s content, looking at its plot, consistency, clarity, and overall worth in the story. I also gauge its entertainment value and whether the characters and dialogue are unique and natural.  

Either in the letter or in-document comments, I point out issues that could possibly harm your chances of publishing success, such as plot holes, illogicalities, and inconsistencies, as well as word-efficiency, clarity, and backstory problems.

This service includes three hours of follow-up discussion (either via phone or e-mail). More than one round of developmental edits may be necessary, and these extra rounds can be included for a small additional fee.*

Ready to book or have questions? Contact me.

Story-Writing Coaching

My mentoring sessions are just for you, whatever you need them to be about. Do you need focused help on one story element (e.g., world-building) or do you need coaching in writing techniques to better convey your ideas? Or maybe you need something else. Together, we can:

  • Edit collaboratively, working through difficult edits and suggested changes
  • Elevate your work through story coaching, focusing on story elements
  • Work on improving your voice, style, and technique through writing coaching
  • Brainstorm ideas where you are coming up short
  • Enhance your writing strengths
  • Improve upon your writing weaknesses

My aim for these personalized sessions is to help you in your craft of storytelling and writing. I want to help you get your story told, and while results vary, these sessions can help you make immediate progress with your writing.

The sessions are via e-mail only so that you get exactly what you pay for and no time is wasted on small talk or silence. The time includes my reading of all material and writing of e-mails.*

Ready to book or have questions? Contact me.

Line and Copy Editing

I have learned in my editing career that I cannot just edit at the word level without looking at the sentence as a whole. That is why I combine line and copy editing into one service, performing both at the same time.

Also called stylistic editing, line editing works at the sentence level of a manuscript. I focus on the language of the story, making sure it is clear, smooth, and polished—while preserving your unique voice and even enhancing it. The main goal here is to give readers the most enjoyment possible from reading your story, meaning clear language, a good reading flow, and a good sound in their minds.

Copy editing works at the word level (and smaller) to ensure correct and consistent spelling, grammar, punctuation, and other style mechanics. I check that the language is standardized and consistent in your manuscript, using an established style guide and dictionary as references. For US English, The Chicago Manual of Style and Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary are used as reference materials. For UK English, New Hart’s Rules: The Oxford Style and Oxford English Dictionary are used as reference materials.

This service includes:

  • Checking for logical flow and appropriate pacing
  • Tightening up sentences
    • Removing run-ons and weak language
    • Checking for impact in your sentences/words
    • Clarifying meaning
    • Checking for misuse or overuse of words
  • Standardizing grammar, spelling, punctuation, and other style elements
  • Checking for overall consistency
  • All of the above while enhancing your unique voice and tone

I edit your manuscript directly in the Word document, using the Track Changes and Comments features. When finished, I send you the edited manuscript along with your story’s customized style sheet.

This service includes two hours of follow-up discussions (either via phone or e-mail).

A final pass of the manuscript and query texts before submission can be included in this service when desired. Not included in this service are developmental or substantive edits, significant fact-checking, or formatting.*

Ready to book or have questions? Contact me.

* These services are customizable, and all terms are negotiable. An agreement will be made before a contract is signed.