Services for Authors
Developmental editing zooms out to look at the big picture—the forest, not the trees. Rather than evaluating sentences word by word or line by line, we look at the overall story to make sure it’s meeting your goals and delivering on its promise to the reader. My approach involves asking open-ended questions and offering suggestions to help you make the right decisions for your story. I’ll never insist on a change that doesn’t feel right to you, and I’ll never offer critique without suggestions for how to improve.
Clients: Independent authors (new and veteran), authors seeking representation, publishers, literary agents
Client Projects: Complete manuscripts, partial manuscripts with outlines, outlines or synopses
Deliverables: Detailed edit letter, in-line comments
Areas of Assessment:
Structure, plot & pacing
Tension & suspense
Character development
Setting & worldbuilding
Audience & genre
Theme
Point of view & voice
Continuity
Line-level patterns (While a developmental edit is not assessed on the line level, I will call out line-level patterns when present throughout)
Available Add-Ons: Line edit (May be completed simultaneously or following a developmental edit. A simultaneous line edit may not be recommended for all projects); Query & Synopsis Development
Manuscript evaluation is similar to developmental editing in the way we assess the story on a big-picture level. The difference comes in the amount and detail of the feedback. While a developmental edit offers a detailed roadmap for revision, a manuscript evaluation offers a briefer overview of the most relevant areas for improvement. Rather than in-depth feedback and suggestions, an evaluation will provide you with illustrative examples.
Why choose a manuscript assessment over a full developmental edit? This option is good for those who want a quicker pulse check on their story. Maybe you plan to do a developmental edit down the road, but you’re still in the early drafting stage. Maybe this is your first time seeking editorial feedback, and you want a more accessible entry point. If you’d like to start with a manuscript evaluation but find you’d like the in-depth feedback, you can add on a developmental edit of the same project at a discounted rate (offer valid within one year of the completion of a manuscript evaluation).
Clients: Independent authors (new and veteran), authors seeking representation, publishers, literary agents
Client Projects: Complete manuscripts, partial manuscripts with outlines, outlines or synopses
Deliverable: Report
Available Add-Ons: Developmental edit (discounted if added within one year); Query & Synopsis Development
Areas of Assessment:
Structure, plot & pacing
Tension & suspense
Character development
Setting & worldbuilding
Audience & genre
Theme
Point of view & voice
Continuity
Line-level patterns (While a manuscript is not assessed on the line level, I will call out line-level patterns when present throughout)
Genres
Fantasy
High Fantasy
Fairy / Folk Tale Retelling
Romantasy
Cozy Fantasy
Urban Fantasy
Horror
Horror Romance
Gothic
Psychological
Supernatural
Folk
Romance
Romantic Comedy
Romantasy
Queer Romance
Dark Romance
Paranormal Romance
Historical
Regency
Ancient Greece / Rome
Medieval
Historical Romance
Alternate History
Sci Fi
Speculative Fiction
Space Opera
Distopian
Steampunk
Cyberpunk
Young Readers
Picture Books
Graphic Novels
Middle Grade
Young Adult
New Adult
Mystery & Suspense
Whodunit
Thriller
Psychological
Cozy
Other
Graphic Novels
Genre Blending
Memoir
Nonfiction
Literary
Clients
Independent Authors
Whether you’ve written a dozen books or are just dipping your toe into the self-publishing waters, I’m here to help make sure your vision for the story comes through on the page. I work with indie authors for developmental editing, line editing, and manuscript evaluations, as well as support with author branding.
Authors Seeking Representation
Looking to go the route of traditional publishing? Wherever you are on your path to getting published, I’m here to help you get there. Services for authors seeking representation include developmental editing, line editing, and manuscript evaluations, as well as support with querying agents.
Publishers &
Literary Agents
For publishers and literary agents looking to expand their freelance rosters, I offer developmental and line editing services to help support your authors and in-house staff.
Estimate Costs
Frequently Asked Questions
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You might benefit from a professional editor if you’ve already done critique work and want deeper story feedback before querying or self-publishing. If you’re early-stage or working with a limited budget, critique groups can be a great place to start, or you might choose a manuscript evaluation instead of a full developmental edit.
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Item description
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Yes. I offer 30-minute info calls, which you can book at this link.
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Both paths are valid. Traditional publishing offers access to distribution, editorial teams, and industry prestige, while self-publishing provides more control, speed, and ownership. The Idiot’s Guide to Publishing is a great resource that lays out all options and helps you decide what’s right for you.
The Editing Process
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That depends on where you are in the process. Developmental editing is a good fit if you’re revising big-picture story elements or getting agent feedback that calls for substantial changes. If you’ve already done extensive story revisions and want sentence-level polish, line editing may be the best option. Manuscript evaluations offer high-level feedback without in-text editing and are often a good starting point.
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You can use the cost estimate calculator for a ballpark figure. Final pricing depends on several variables, and rates may change.
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Bundled services are available. For example, adding line editing to a developmental edit comes with a 20% discount.
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I’m trained as a copy editor, but I typically focus on story-level and line-level work. If you need copy editing, I’m happy to recommend excellent copy editors.
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Sensitivity reading isn’t one of my services, though I do flag potential sensitivity issues during developmental and line editing. For focused sensitivity reads—or areas outside my experience—I can help you find a qualified sensitivity reader.
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Editing can help ensure your manuscript is as strong as possible for querying, and I also offer support with synopses and query letters. I don’t connect clients directly with agents, but I recommend using the latest guide to literary agents and researching agents who actively represent your genre.
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Yes. For new clients, a 25% deposit is due when the contract is signed. The remaining balance is due upon project completion.
Services & Rates
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Developmental edits include a detailed edit letter plus in-margin comments throughout the manuscript. Line edits are delivered using Track Changes with margin comments. Manuscript evaluations include an edit letter and selective margin comments on key sections.
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You’ll reach out via my contact form, with the option to schedule a 30-minute info call. After a detailed intake questionnaire, I’ll send a quote, contract, and estimated delivery date. New clients submit a deposit when the contract is signed. Edits are delivered by the date in the contract, with optional follow-up support and calls available.
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Turnaround time depends on the service, manuscript length, and level of work needed, but is often around 2–4 weeks. Faster turnaround may be available depending on my schedule and may include a rush fee.
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You can learn more about my values, approach, and editorial philosophy on my editorial ethos page.
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I like to reframe this around your goals. What do you want your book to accomplish? The real question is whether the manuscript meets those goals. Clarifying this is part of my editing process, so revisions bring the book closer to your own vision—not an abstract idea of “good.”
Getting Started
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Policies & Procedures
Get in touch
Interested in working together? Please share share some information about the project and services you’re seeking. I’m looking forward to hearing from you!