SAMPLE CHAPTERS, MANUSCRIPT EVALUATIONS AND BETA READS
In addition to comprehensive editing services, I offer a variety of sample and overview packages geared toward different stages of your book’s timeline. Early feedback can be vital to keeping you focused and on track, while feedback later in your process can tighten and polish your book. If you’ve never worked with an editor before and are unsure about the process, these packages are a great way to evaluate the type of feedback an editor provides so you can determine if my services are right for you.
If you select me for full manuscript services after purchasing a sample chapter, I will deduct the cost of the sample chapter from your total. If you select me for full manuscript services after purchasing a manuscript evaluation or beta read, a percentage of the cost of the manuscript evaluation or beta read will be deducted from your total.
Please feel free to email me for current pricing.
SAMPLE CHAPTER (developmental editing, line editing, copy editing and proofreading for fiction and nonfiction)
With this package, you can get a taste of every type of editing, or you can ask me to focus only on the kind of editing you’re interested in hiring me for. This can help you figure out the kind of editing you need, and it can help us decide if we’re a good match.
If you would like developmental and/or line editing, I’ll focus on things like structure, characterization, voice, style, dialogue, setting, prose and pacing. This can help you spot issues you need to work on, plus it’s a great way to show you how we might work together creatively.
If you would like copy editing/proofreading, I will correct grammar and punctuation, catch typos, and ensure style and content consistency.
Note: I will gladly provide a sample of each kind of editing with this package. That said, I don’t advise using the same editor for developmental/line editing and copy editing/proofreading when it’s time to edit your full book. See my general information page for more details.
What you get
•A written summary (up to 2 pages) detailing the reasons behind my edits/advice
•A Track Changes version of your book page edits
•Email follow-up for questions
What you don’t get
•Detailed plot/theme/character feedback (since I won’t see your whole book)
Note: I prefer a sample chapter from the middle of your book.
MANUSCRIPT EVALUATION (fiction and nonfiction)
Also called a manuscript assessment or critique, this service provides big-picture feedback on your full manuscript. This is a great way to get objective and expert feedback on your narrative structure, premise, characters, themes, plot, subplots, voice, prose, setting, pacing, writing style and more. I will tell you where I think your strengths and weaknesses are, what’s working well, and what needs more work. I can also flag potential problems, such as insensitive language and clichés, and give you some insight as to what readers are looking for from your kind of book. I will do this all respectfully, while honoring your voice and vision.
A manuscript evaluation will help you assess your editing needs, and it may help you reduce your editing costs by pinpointing issues you can tackle yourself. Full manuscript evaluations can be performed earlier (before editing, to assess what the manuscript needs and reduce your editing costs) or later (after editing, if you want to get a second opinion on how the book is coming together before finalizing your manuscript).
My goal is to leave you energized, with clear direction moving forward. You’re the expert on your story, but every author loses objectivity after a while. I’m here to help you regain that objectivity so that you can make your book the best it can be. With my feedback, you can self-edit before hiring a developmental editor, or, if you’ve already had your manuscript edited, you can see if further editing is needed.
What you get
•A written summary (up to 12 pages) detailing my thoughts and general recommendations for your book
•Email follow-up for questions
What you don’t get
•Edits to your manuscript
•Detailed developmental/line editing or suggested fixes
•Detailed copy editing/proofreading feedback
Note: A percentage of the manuscript evaluation cost will be deducted from your total if you select me for full manuscript editing services.
BETA READ (fiction and nonfiction)
This is like a light version of a manuscript evaluation (see above), performed with the reader foremost in mind. I encourage you to find a number of free beta readers first (family, friends, other authors who are willing to swap manuscripts with you), but it can be difficult to get objective or expert editorial feedback from these sources. I can offer that missing feedback.
Beta reads can be performed earlier (before editing, to assess what the manuscript needs and see what you can do to reduce your editing costs) or later (after editing, if you want to get a second opinion and see if your book needs a little more refining). I’ll point out what strikes me (positively or negatively) and give you a sense of how readers may receive your manuscript as it currently stands. I can also flag potential problems, such as insensitive language and clichés, and give you insight as to what readers are looking for from your kind of book. I won’t go into a lot of detail, but this is a great way to “take the temperature” of your manuscript.
What you get
•A written summary (up to 6 pages) detailing my thoughts on your book
•Email follow-up for questions
What you don’t get
•Edits to your manuscript
•Detailed editorial feedback and suggested fixes
•Detailed copy editing/proofreading feedback
Note: A percentage of the beta read cost will be deducted from your total if you select me for full manuscript editing services.
Overview
Below you can find a detailed breakdown of my developmental editing, line editing, copy editing and proofreading services.
In the left column of this page you can find a detailed breakdown of my sample chapter, manuscript evaluation and beta read services.
Click here to see my general policies and other information.
Please feel free to email me for current pricing.
Types of editing
Developmental editing is about substance: tightening your story/plot; reorganizing your narrative structure; enhancing characterization, action, atmosphere, themes, pacing, etc. This is also called structural editing, substantive editing and content editing.
Line editing is about style: polishing prose; checking for consistent character voices; rewording clunky sentences to be more elegant, evocative or aligned with the feel of the story; varying sentence length to keep the reader engaged, etc.
Copy editing and proofreading are about polish: ensuring correct sentence structure/grammar (as appropriate); adhering to a style guide (internal or official); checking content consistency (e.g., is Character A’s car blue at the start of the book and silver at the end, with no explanation?); fixing punctuation and errors, etc.
Full manuscript editing services
CUSTOMIZED SERVICE (fiction and nonfiction)
My standard services are outlined below. However, you might require a customized service that is not listed. Perhaps you’re seeking a copy edit that includes elements of light or moderate line editing, for example. In that case, I would work with you to establish a custom service.
DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING (fiction and nonfiction)
You’ve poured your heart and soul into your work—not to mention countless hours. Now it’s time for a fresh pair of eyes and an impartial review to analyze how well your book comes together. Are there plot holes? Character inconsistencies? Confusion? Clichés? I’ll take an objective look at your story, plot, characters and themes. I’ll flag problems and suggest solutions. I’ll tell you what’s great and what could use work. Whether you need to develop your characters more, tweak a plot, restructure chapters or shift perspective, I’ll help you strengthen your story.
What you get
•Full manuscript analysis and guidance on your plot, structure, storytelling, themes and characters
•A written summary detailing the reasons behind my edits/advice
•Two versions of your book page edits (Track Changes and clean)
•Email follow-up for questions
What you don’t get
•Line editing, copy editing, proofreading
LINE EDITING (fiction and nonfiction)
Small changes count. I’ll tighten your writing to make it shine and flow smoothly. I’ll untangle confusing paragraphs and sentences, remove needless word padding, fix awkward dialogue and much more. I’ll tweak and polish your prose as needed to ensure that YOUR voice is coming through the way you intend.
What you get
•Full manuscript analysis and guidance on dialogue, narration, and overall prose
•A written summary detailing the reasons behind my edits/advice
•Two versions of your book page edits (Track Changes and clean)
•Email follow-up for questions
What you don’t get
•Developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading
DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING + LINE EDITING (fiction and nonfiction)
Many authors seek both developmental editing and line editing. I can perform both types of editing at once on your manuscript for a discounted rate.
What you get
•Full manuscript analysis and guidance on your plot, structure, storytelling, themes and characters
•Full manuscript analysis and guidance on dialogue, narration, and overall prose
•A written summary detailing the reasons behind my edits/advice
•Two versions of your book page edits (Track Changes and clean)
•Email follow-up for questions
What you don’t get
•Copy editing, proofreading
COPY EDITING and PROOFREADING (fiction and nonfiction)
Copy editing rechecks your work at the sentence level. It takes place before proofreading but after you have addressed issues uncovered in a developmental edit and/or a line edit (if applicable).
Proofreading rechecks your work at the word level. It takes place after developmental editing and line editing (if applicable) and copy editing.
These are the final steps in preparing your manuscript for layout/formatting and publication.
If you’re a seasoned author who does not require developmental/line editing, or if your book has already been edited by someone else, I can provide a combination of copy editing and proofreading to catch typos (such as spelling errors and misplaced or omitted words), punctuation issues, more pervasive grammatical errors, story inconsistencies (e.g., calling a character by the wrong name) and style inconsistencies. I find that most authors seeking proofreading actually require something a little heavier, which is why I offer this combined service. This service is meant for manuscripts that are still in Microsoft Word.
If your book has already been copy edited (not just developmentally edited or line edited), or if it’s in nearly perfect shape, I can provide a pure proofreading service to address typos, style inconsistencies and light grammar changes. This service can be performed on manuscripts in Microsoft Word, PDF or hard copy format. Ideally, you or your copy editor will provide me with your book’s style sheet.
What you get (combined copy editing and proofreading service)
•Full manuscript edit to address typos and more pervasive grammar, punctuation and inconsistency issues
•Two versions of your book page edits (Track Changes and clean)
•A style sheet and/or written overview of general issues addressed (as applicable)
•Email follow-up for questions
What you don’t get
•Developmental editing, line editing
What you get (pure proofreading service)
•Full manuscript edit to address typos and light grammar, punctuation and inconsistency issues
•Two versions of your book page edits (Track Changes and clean) if your manuscript is in Microsoft Word
•A marked-up PDF (comments function or proofreading marks) if your manuscript is in PDF format
•A marked-up hard copy document or test print book (proofreading marks) if your manuscript is in hard copy format (printing/mailing costs are yours)
•A style sheet (if your copy editor did not provide one) and/or written overview of general issues addressed (as applicable)
•Email follow-up for questions
What you don’t get
•Developmental editing, line editing, copy editing