FAQS

I approach manuscripts from a point of curiosity and problem-solving. When you hit the contact button, you will help me get a sense of what we’ll be working on together by including:

• Working Manuscript Title

• Genre

• Brief (1-2 sentence) synopsis

• Word count and whether or not your manuscript is complete

• If there is something specific you are hoping to focus on with a developmental review. (Consider pacing, world development, character development, plot, etc.)

• How do you best receive feedback? Do you prefer light and breezy, cutthroat, honest, a back and forth discussion, etc?

I’ve listed my favorite (and thus preferred) genres, but it never hurts to reach out. I have a network of fellow editors I refer out to if I think I’m not the best fit for a project.

To get the most value, you need a finished manuscript. Some authors book BEFORE they’ve finished to give themselves accountability and a hard deadline to finish drafting. Some authors book right after they have finished their first draft. Others wait until they’ve done a few rounds of self-edits. It is entirely up to you! However, you should secure this service prior to hiring a copy or line editor.

1. We’ll connect and discuss your project via email.

2. If you think you may want to move forward, I’ll complete a free sample edit/manuscript evaluation and provide you with a quote, an estimated time to complete, and a tentative delivery date.

3. You review my sample edit and proposal and realize that I can help take your work to the next level!

4. You say, “Let’s do this”, sign the contract I send you, and pay the retainer fee. Then it’s all on me to dive into your fictional world and get to work!

Depending on my schedule and the size of your project, I may be able to accommodate an expedited deadline for an additional rush fee.

Like all art, developmental editing is also subjective. My goal with your novel is to maintain the integrity and authenticity of your voice. I look at the big picture of the story from the perspective of a reader. Do the characters feel flat? Are there plot holes? How is the pacing? Is there too much telling? Etc.

For developmental editing, I require an upfront non-refundable deposit of 30% to hold your spot in my schedule. The remaining balance is due upon my completion of feedback and you will receive your full report and comments after receipt of payment.

Yes! Pay in full or payment plans are available. 30% deposit secures your space and we can split the remainder into two or three payments prior to the delivery of feedback to you.

Developmental is the first and deepest round of editing. The manuscript must be read through very slowly, at least twice. I also keep detailed spreadsheets of timelines and key information, make comments, offer suggestions, etc. I then spend several hours writing a comprehensive letter with all of my feedback and suggestions for you to work from.

An 80,000 word manuscript can take me anywhere from 40-60 active editing hours, more if it’s in rough shape.

Yes, if your budget does not allow for complete review of your manuscript during your developmental edit, I am open to discussing partial developmental edits!

For example, if you book is 60k words but you only want me to review the first 30k, we can discuss that.

I also recommend my skilled beta reading service if you still want eyes on your entire manuscript.

Developmental editing and beta reading are often confused for one another, but are quite different—thus the different price tags. Most self-publishing authors will hire multiple beta readers in addition to professional editors. Who you hire and when comes down to where you are in your revision journey and your specific needs.

My beta reading service includes one read through with minimal marginal comments. It includes a 3+ PDF report summarizing my perspective as a reader, questions I had, etc. This is ideal for folks looking to get a sense of whether or not their reader is ‘picking up what they’re putting down’ or if revisions are effective.

Developmental editing includes two slow read throughs with significant note-taking and heavy marginal comments. The editorial report can be anywhere from 10-25 pages long, depending on how much work the manuscript requires. Because of how much more work is involved, this takes about 5x as long as a beta read. Developmental editing should be the first level of your professional editing passes.

I do not offer other editing services that correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Developmental editing looks at the BIG picture elements of your story. Booking a proofreading, copy editing, or line editing package with another editor would be recommended after completing your corrections based on my developmental edit! I would be happy to offer my suggestions to editors I have worked with in the past for those services on my own projects.

I test edit a random 1,000 word section from the middle of your manuscript to determine 1) if I am a good fit for your needs, and 2) the amount of time I can expect to spend reading through and providing you feedback in order to develop an accurate quote and time to complete.

Regardless of whether or not you decide to move forward with me, I will provide you with feedback for the section I reviewed, free of charge.

For you, a sample edit gives you a sense of my communication and editing styles so you can evaluate if I’m the right fit for your work.

For me, manuscripts of the same length can require different levels of time and attention. For example, a manuscript in its first draft, or a manuscript containing heavy language or grammatical issues, will take more time than one that has undergone several revisions already.

This is why I do not always recommend submitting the first draft of your manuscript for developmental editing. Ask (honest) friends, writing groups, etc, for their feedback, revise your work, and then seek a developmental editor.

There is a lot more to getting published than putting words to the page. Editing is one step. Marketing is another. There are factors in between that are entirely up to you and the industry at large. I can tell you that I’ll provide expert feedback and guidance based on my subjective experience and expertise, all intended toward perfecting your writing and ability to self-promote.

I can help make sure your story fits into your chosen genre, but that doesn’t guarantee it will be picked up by an agent or publishing house. Remember it’s about the long game, just because you get a ‘no’ doesn’t mean your novel is bad. A ‘no’ is a not yet, or a not here.