Editing

Editing usually takes place in a few steps that editors think of as levels of editing. Different people use the terms that follow in different ways, and the lines between them are often blurry. If you’re new to this or not sure what your manuscript needs, contact me! I’m happy to look at your manuscript and offer my opinion about what your best next step is.

I like to refer to three levels of editing: developmental editing, line editing, and copyediting.

Developmental Editing

This is the first and broadest level of editing. If you feel committed to the format, age group, and topic of your manuscript but are willing to change just about anything else to acheive your goals for your manuscript, then start here.

In developmental editing, I pay attention to big-picture elements like plot, characters, and pacing.

Here are some of the changes that might result from a developmental edit: I might ask you to add or delete a character, change the tense your story is written in, or reconsider the ending.

Line Editing

If your manuscript has already undergone developmental editing or if you are committed to the big-picture elements (like plot and characters) in your manuscript, then start here.

In line editing, I examine the language of your manuscript paragraph by paragraph and sentence by sentence to improve the tone, voice, and flow of your story.

Here are some of the changes that might result from a line edit: I might move the order of paragraphs around to avoid an info dump. I might point out overwriting or an area where more description is needed. I might mention inconsistencies in your character details or timeline.

Copyediting

When your manuscript is complete, copyediting is the final round of editing that takes place before the manuscript goes to the typesetter.

In copyediting, your manuscript is polished word by word.

Here is what I focus on in a copyedit:

• grammar, spelling, and punctuation
• treatment of numbers
• treatment of special terms
• hyphenation
• abbreviations and acronyms
• headers and the table of contents
• clarity, continuity, and correctness

NOTE: Only self-publishers need to worry about copyediting. If you are publishing traditionally, your manuscript will be copyedited (and perhaps go through other levels of editing as well) before it is published.

PROCESS

The process for all three levels of editing is the same.

1. You’ll send me your completed questionnaire and your manuscript.
   Send me a message using the contact form, and I’ll send you a short questionnaire to fill out. It will help me learn about your book and your goals. This is important because I can only help you get where you’re going if I know where that is.
2. I’ll send you a sample edit along with a quote.
   I complete a free sample edit for every project. The sample edit not only helps me give you an accurate quote, it also gives you a clear idea of what you’re signing up for. Your sample will be in the form of a redlined Microsoft Word document. Your quote will be in the form of a contract that lays out my terms.
3. Sign and return the contract.
4. Receive your editing and invoice by the deadline listed on the contract!
   Your edited file will have edits using Track Changes (so that you can accept and reject changes) and Comments with queries and suggestions in the margins. Your invoice will list a variety of payment methods (including PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, CashApp, and check), and I ask that payments be completed within two weeks.

RATES

Every project is different, and your quote will depend on the number of words in your project and the level of editing needed. My rates fall within these US industry standards for editors.

IMPORTANT

Please note that I do not work with poetry (including picture books written in rhyming poetry), short stories, memoirs, or graphic novels.