Fiction Editing for Self-Published Authors
The Solo Packages
Only need one type of editing service? Then my solo packages are perfect for you!
The Paced Package
a.k.a Beta Reading Services
Suitable for a manuscript that you've done some self-editing on. So what does it involve?
‘Live’ Reactions: I’ll read through your manuscript in Microsoft Word and leave behind ‘live’ comments of my reactions to the story, including but not limited to, any plot twists, emotional moments, and character development. I’ll also point out any obvious typos or plot holes.
Manuscript Overview: As well as returning your manuscript to you with my ‘live’ reactions, I’ll also provide a brief overview containing my opinions on the plot, the characters, the world building or immersion factor, the dialogue, the pacing and tone, and the writing style, for you to consider. I always write my overviews by putting myself into the shoes of your future readers.
2 'Spitballing' Sessions: If after reading through the manuscript overview and my ‘live’ reactions, you feel you need to throw some ideas around, then you’re entitled to two 30 minute ‘spitballing’ sessions with myself over Zoom. While offered as part of the package, these sessions are not mandatory. Some writers don’t need them, but some writers prefer to bounce ideas off someone and that’s fine, whatever suits you! Alternatively you can always email me if you have a quick question.
Additional Needs (dependent on each individual author): If you have any particular questions you want answered about your manuscript or a certain area you want me to focus on, then please let me know and I will be happy to accommodate these additional needs.
£1 per 1,000 words or £40 flat rate.
See full details here
If you think you want another service as well as this one, please check my combo packages
The Sprint Package
a.k.a Copy Editing Services
Suitable for a manuscript that has already been through at least one editing pass and only needs a technical tidy up. But what do you get?
Mechanical Corrections: Using Track Changes in Microsfot Word, I will read through your manuscript and suggest fixes for any mechanical issues such as spelling, punctuation, grammar, paragraphs and formatting, capitalisation, chapter misnumbering, consistency and repetition. All fixes are suggested in line with my in-house style, making exceptions for any unique style preferences to your manuscript that you have specified to me (see Style Sheet below).
Large Readability Issues: Not often an issue at this stage in editing, however if I notice a glaring issue with the readability of your manuscript, such as a section of long clunky sentences or an obvious plot hole, then I will highlight them to you. I won’t suggest any fixes, as readability falls outside the scope of copy editing and it will be up to you whether you address any issues I highlight.
Edit Overview: On top of returning your manuscript with all the Track Changes showing, I will also provide a quick overview of the main editorial changes I have suggested. This will be a sum up of where your manuscript needed the most improvement technically and where it was structural sound, to help you understand why I’ve made the suggestions I have, so you can make confident decisions on which fixes to keep.
Style Sheet: Prior to the copy edit, I will ask you if there are any specific style choices in your manuscript such as any unusual spellings or whether a certain character wouldn’t use contractions. This is to ensure that your preferences aren’t mistakenly adjusted during the copy edit, as they could fall outside the requirements of my in-house style. Once the copy edit is done, I will return a style sheet to you that will detail all editorial decisions made on your manuscript. This can be passed on to any professional who may work on your manuscript after the edit, such as your proofreader.
£10 per 1,000 words or £200 flat rate See full details here
If you think you want another service as well as this one, please check my combo packages
The Max Package
a.k.a Line & Copy Editing Services
Suitable for a manuscript where the story is tight but the sentences need sharpening and the flow needs smoothing out. And what does all that mean?
Readability: The first pass of this edit, using the Track Changes in Microsoft Word, I will go through your manuscript line by line looking for readability issues such as, passive voice, clarity, show vs tell, use of lyrical tools, flow, mood and tense. Your writing voice will always be considered in any edits that are suggested but I will be line editing from the point of view of your future readers and how easy your manuscript is to read.
Mechanical Corrections: The second pass of this edit, done after your line edit has been returned and you’ve applied any line suggestions that you wanted to keep. Again, using the Track Changes in Microsoft Word, I will read through your manuscript and suggest fixes for any mechanical issues, like grammar, repetition, spelling etc., in line with my in-house style, making exceptions for your unique style preferences (see Style Sheet below).
Edit Overview: You will receive two of these, one after the line edit and one after the copy edit. For the line edit, I will provide a quick sum up of which areas of your manuscript were more difficult to read and which areas were the most enaging. This is to help you decide which line suggestions to focus on and consider more carefully. For the copy edit, I will provide a brief overview of where your manuscript needed technical improvement and where it was fairly clean. This is to help you understand the copy suggestions I made so you can decide confidentially which fixes to accept.
Style Sheet: Prior to the line & copy edit, I will ask you if there are any specific style choices in your manuscript such as any unusual spellings or whether a certain character wouldn’t use contractions. This is to ensure that your preferences aren’t mistakenly adjusted during editing, as they could fall outside the requirements of my in-house style. If any style choices cause readability issues, these will be highlighted to you during the line edit. Once the copy edit is done, I will return a style sheet to you that will detail all editorial decisions made on your manuscript. This can be passed on to any professional who may work on your manuscript after the edit, such as your proofreader.
£20 per 1,000 words. See full details here
If you think you want another service as well as this one, please check my combo packages