Imagine your readers

up at ridiculous o’clock because they have to read one more chapter

You know your book has the power to capture hearts and minds. that’s why you wrote it.

Except by the time you’ve finished your manuscript, you’re starting to go a little cross eyed. You’re so immersed in the story that you can’t get far enough away to be objective. 

Does the world building make sense? Is the pacing page-turningly good, or muddled? Would that character really say that? And while we’re at it, why won’t your characters behave?

You need someone to take an eagle-eyed view.

You already know what you want your book to be.

You know your work better than anyone. My job is to help you transmute your manuscript into the book you’re dreaming of.

My editing style focuses on:

  • Honest, actionable critique. I'll give you a true assessment of what works and what doesn't.

  • Creating binge-worthy plots and unforgettable characters your readers can’t stop thinking about.

  • Understanding your vision for your book and what it means to you.

  • Bringing out the strongest version of your voice.

My editorial services include:

Manuscript assessment

  • A high level overview of your manuscript. We’ll have a chat about what you like and don’t like. I'll read the whole thing and send you a report highlighting key strengths, areas for improvement, and any plot tangles or inconsistencies that jumped out. I won't touch your actual manuscript - this service is an overview only.

  • You've done it. You've written the thing. But you're not sure how it reads, or there's a specific thing or three bothering you. This gives you a good overview before deciding whether to proceed with a more in depth edit.

  • $700 USD for 75,000 words.

    Three weeks.

Developmental editing

  • The big picture. Story, structure, flow, world building. Does this magical system make sense? Why won't this character behave? Did I spend too long explaining the different types of tree? Enough cliffhangers? Too many cliffhanger? Developmental editing dives into the big picture of your novel and tightens the flow and internal logic.

  • You've written the thing. But now you need to know if the thing is doing what you intended it to do. You've got questions about the big-picture stuff, or you know there are some bits that just aren't working. You're less concerned with word choice and more concerned with whether the mystery is mysterious enough, the scares big enough, or the characters compelling enough.

  • $0.027 - $0.037 per word.

    4 - 12 weeks depending on the amount of work needed (based on 80,000 words)

Line editing

  • I'll break out my tool kit and dive deep into your manuscript on the sentence level. Grammar, syntax, flow, word choice, style, reader experience, what works, and what needs help.

  • You know the overall plot, structure, and characters work. The worldbuilding's strong. The characters are running the show, just as it should be. Now you're ready to see your manuscript polished into the best version of itself.

  • $0.022 - $0.032 per word.

    2.5 - 6 weeks depending on the amount of work needed (based on 80,000 words)

Hybrid editing

  • The world and character-wrangling power of a developmental edit meets the finish and flair of line editing.

    I developed hybrid editing to meet the needs of some of my indie author clients who needed both kinds of edits, but couldn't fit both into their immediate timeline or budget. I'll pore over each page carefully. Hybrid editing tackles structure and syntax, worldbuilding and flow, characters’ choices and language choices.

    Please note hybrid editing is only suitable for clients who’ve ready had a manuscript assessment. I need be sure your manuscript is good fit for hybrid editing.

  • If your novel needs help with both the big picture and the nuts and bolts, the structure and the language, hybrid editing is for you. It's a full-bodied, immersive, detail-oriented look at your novel from all angles. The result? Everything just works. Please note hybrid editing is best suited to authors who are happy for me to dig right in and make changes on the sentence level as I go.

  • $0.04 - $0.05 per word. The price reflects that you're getting two edits in one - and saving by doing so!

    4 - 12 weeks depending on the amount of work needed (based on 80,000 words)

Blurb writing

  • Let's be real. Writing blurbs is like trying to fit a map of Narnia on the back of a postage stamp. It's hard to write your own blurb, because you already know your own book. It's hard to see what will hook the reader, what you need to share, and what you need to keep back.

    Let me take care of that for you.

  • If you've got a book, you need a blurb! So this is for you.

  • I'll need a 3000 word sample of your prose plus a full synopsis of at least two pages. I'll also need to know your target audience, and to see the blurbs of any books you've already published. Once I've got that, you'll have your blurb within a week.

    Blurbs cost $150 including a round of revisions.

Not sure what you need?

No problem. Get in touch and we’ll figure it out.

Frequently asked questions

  • I can sometimes take on a rush project. Rush projects attract an added 25% fee to get on my calendar quickly.

  • Yes. I offer a 1000 word sample edit to assess the level of editing you need, and be sure we're a good fit. Get in touch to book yours.

  • Yes. Check out nonfiction editing in the services menu.

  • My style is encouraging but unfailingly honest. You're paying me for a true assessment and I want to be sure you get one. I'll tell you what's not working and how to make it better. And I'll point out what's working well, because knowing that too is key.

  • I prefer to work in Google Docs where possible, but I can also work in Word. I don't accept any other formats.

  • Payment is via the Bonsai payment system, which my clients tell me is super easy to use (it accepts most major credit and debit cards.)

    All projects attract a non-refundable 25% deposit to secure your place on my calendar. Subsequent payments can be split into instalments.

  • Many of my clients are stateside, so I'm in the habit of listing my prices in $USD. If you'd prefer a quote in a different currency, get in touch and I'll be happy to provide one.

  • No, my services are to build your confidence in your brand voice, and to get your novel to its best self. I don’t provide referral services.