I offer several levels of editing and combinations to meet your needs, from developmental work and copyediting to proofreading. I specialize in queer romance and LGBTQ+ genre fiction.
I will help you:
- Maintain your unique voice.
- Sort out the comma drama. Should it be here? Should I delete it?
- Reveal those easy-to-overlook missing words, frustrating homonyms, and misused and overused words.
- Address pacing, overwriting, continuity, and timeline issues.
- Ensure grammar and writing mechanics are in place.
- Untangle the confusion of the Chicago Manual of Style.
Developmental Edit
This is substantive: a deep look at your story’s content, structure, genre beats and conventions, and theme. I’ll address plot, overwriting, pacing, flow, clarity, and style. Discrepancies in voice or characterization will be addressed. I’ll ensure the overall story arc and characters are relatable and believable. I’ll also focus on dialogue flow while hunting down those pesky tense changes, point-of-view slips, and concepts that detract from the story.
Line Edit
A line edit focuses on how language is used to convey the story to the reader. It ensures that the language is clear, fluid, and enjoyable to read, while also conveying the appropriate atmosphere, emotion, and tone. I will help with issues such as redundancies, run-on sentences, tonal shifts, poor phrasing, and confusing transitions. The goal of this type of editing is to not only improve the current manuscript but also provide writers with skills to improve their writing in future projects.
Copyedit
A copyedit is a thorough review of a piece of writing, with the goal of correcting technical errors and ensuring that the writing meets industry and genre standards. I will correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and syntax. I will also ensure consistency in spelling, hyphenation, numerals, fonts, and capitalization. Beyond that, I will review for any inconsistencies in tone, style, or content, and make adjustments as necessary to ensure that the writing flows smoothly and cohesively.
Proofread
This is done at a similar pace that your readers will go through your work. This is not an edit, but a touch-up. I will address errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization, consistency, formatting, and style so your manuscript is ready for publication.
Combos
Developmental & Copyedit
Story structure and substantive edits followed by sentence-level edit that focuses on the mechanics of writing.
Line Edit & Copyedit
First-round line edit ensures the language is clear, fluid, and enjoyable to read. The copyedit will correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, syntax, and ensures consistency.
Copyedit & Proofread
A heavy sentence-level copyedit followed by a final check for typos and formatting errors.
Additional charges will apply for manuscripts that require extra time and attention. This includes Americanizing beyond expected spelling inconsistencies and a few phrasing differences.
Where to Start
- Decide on the depth of edit you’d like.
- Read The Fine Print below.
- Check out availability on my calendar.
- Email me a sample if we’ve not worked together before.
- Reserve a spot.
- Fill out my Intake Form.
- Polish your words to avoid extra charges.
- Utilize a beta reader.
- Format your manuscript for editing. Double spaced, Times New Romance 12pt, first-line indent, etc.
- Send all files to me so I can get to work.
The Fine Print
Additional charges will apply for manuscripts that require extra time and attention. That includes the Americanizing a manuscript beyond the few expected spelling differences and phrasing or word choices. To avoid these charges, I highly suggest finding a beta reader who is very familiar with the region where your character is from or is currently living.
I accept payment via PayPal, Payoneer, or Stripe, and 50% payment is required before starting.
The Chicago Manual of Style will be my style guide unless otherwise requested. For stories set in the US, I use the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. I use the Oxford Dictionary for stories set in the UK and NZ. I also use hard copies of the Canadian Oxford Dictionary and Australia’s Macquarie Dictionary.
Prices are based on the highest word count you send to me. If you add words between edits, I base the charge on the higher word count.
My turnaround time is generally 10-14 days for each stage of your edit. If your story is over 80,000 words, it will be closer to 14 days, so plan for that.