I am an editor who reads carefully and thoughtfully while making educated, consistent, and style-guided changes to ensure a clear, accessible, and professional piece of work. I am a resource authors can use to allow their story to shine in its fullest.
Services
Some things to note:
These descriptions are a starting point to get our conversation started. Each level of editing can be tailored to your needs.
I only work on completed drafts. I do not work on outlines or partial drafts.
Manuscript Evaluation
This is typically performed on an early (completed!) draft. If authors are looking to get an idea of what’s working and what isn’t, this can be very helpful. Since this is an evaluation, the turnaround time is faster than an edit and it costs less than an edit.
You will receive a report evaluating all the elements of your story, suggestions for strengthening those elements, and a recommendation for your next step. The following elements will be evaluated: overall impressions, plot and story line, conflict and tension, character development, dialogue, pacing and readability, point of view, voice and tone, and consistency. Don’t worry! The purpose of an evaluation isn’t to only point out areas for improvement, it’s also to let you know what’s working. Please note: this service is not an edit, you will not receive a marked-up copy of your manuscript.
Substantive Editing
Authors looking at this type of editing typically feel that their story is complete and they aren’t looking for large-scale changes. These authors have a complete manuscript but feel that they could use some help rewording sentences or help establishing and tracking a consistent timeline. Substantive editing focuses on the story at a paragraph and sentence level (developmental looks at the story as a whole). This edit will focus on pace, voice, word choice, a consistency check of characters and settings, and organization at a paragraph level. Some light rewriting of sentences and reorganization may happen.
A sample of your work will help me recommend an appropriate level of editing and if we are the right fit for each other.
I accept by check.
Copyediting
These manuscripts should be complete and authors should be happy with the quality of the content. Copyediting focuses on the nuts and bolts of writing: spelling, punctuation, grammar, and consistency. I catch what a person doing a quick read, particularly a person already familiar with the work, will gloss over and miss. This is the quickest turnaround time on an edit.