Fiction Editing Services
Fiction Editing Services
I've been editing since I was in middle school. Seriously! From essays to short stories, I helped out my friends find the perfect word, get rid of unneeded information, and stay on topic, working hard to bring out the best in their writing.
In college, I realized I could get paid to do this and started editing papers for classmates.
Through seventeen years as an English teacher, decades critiquing and brainstorming with author friends, and proofreading for my (current) profession, I have honed my skills to be a champion for my writers, a partner in the trenches of writing.
While I read almost anything, I am practiced in the following genres: young adult, new adult, romantic comedy, and fantasy. I am not a fan of dark romance, bully romance, etc.
With a careful eye and an ear for story, I'll read your manuscript, pointing out places where your story shines or where it could be tighter. I'll leave comments throughout of my thoughts, and I'll use track changes to fix grammar and punctuation issues, leaving you with a polished manuscript that still sounds like you! It's a blend of a line edit and proofreading gained from years of practical experience.
I'll also send along an editorial letter that gives my overall thoughts on characterization, plot, and dialogue. My goal is make you excited to dive back in when you receive my feedback, not run off for a pint of Ben & Jerry's and a Netflix binge, though there's nothing wrong with that!
Once you get your editorial letter and edited manuscript back, you'll have a chance to email and ask follow-up questions. While I won't be able to do another read-through, I will answer your questions to the best of my ability!
A reminder: Reading is subjective. If you don't like my editing suggestions, you are free to not use them!
I will complete a sample edit of your first four pages (double-spaced, 12-point font) using track changes and send it back to you to make sure we're a good fit.
You've polished your manuscript and you're ready to start reaching out to agents or small press publishers. I'll look at your query letter (usually 2-4 paragraphs and less than one page). A query letter should include a brief bio, the title, genre, and word count of your manuscript and a crisp, tight explanation of your story meant to make an agent or publishing house want to read more. 1-week turn-around time.
They say the first few pages can make or break your story. Do you want to know if your first pages sing? I'll read up to 30 pages (double-spaced, size 12 font) and let you know what works and what needs to be worked on. 1- to 2-week turn-around time.
Let me work with you on your full manuscript. I will do a complete novel critique, charging based on word count. Submit your book double-spaced using a size 12 font. This type of work can take up to 21 days.
Query letter critiques and partial manuscript critiques must be paid in advance to hold your spot.
Full manuscript editing and book formatting require a 50% deposit to hold your spot. The other 50% will be due prior to receiving your edited or formatted document.
Payment can be made through PayPal (with a 3.5% upcharge for PayPal charges), Zelle, or Venmo.
I do not use AI (other than grammar/spelling checks in Microsoft Word). I will not put your writing into ChatGPT or any other online AI tool.
I will not share your manuscript/query with anyone. Your work is strictly for me alone.
If a job needs to be terminated by me, you will pay up to the amount of work I've completed up to the date of termination. I will repay any overage based on when the termination happens. If you need to terminate a job, you'll pay me up to the work done when the termination happens.
Editing is subjective. I can't make an guarantee about the salability of your manuscript or your view of the usability of my feedback. I have been editing for over twenty years and approach each project with my knowledge and thoughtfulness, though, and hope you will find value in my work.
My editing calendar fills up quickly, and editing is based on a first-come, first-served basis. Please fill out the form below and I'll get back to you promptly to start the ball rolling and get your spot reserved!