Below you'll find a rundown of the editorial services I offer and what they each include. Consider which service might be best for you and your project — then head over to my Contact Page to request a quote!
Query Review Package
Is it time to start querying agents, but you need some help shaping your query letter and tightening up your opening chapters? Or perhaps you've already begun querying, but aren't getting any bites yet, and aren't sure why? In my query review package, I will review and edit your query letter as well as your first 3 chapters. I'll help you with comp titles, pitching, and making your letter as snappy and enticing as it can be. I'll make suggestions to improve pacing in your opening to make your initial chapters as gripping as possible.
Editorial Assessment
(You might also hear this service referred to as an editorial letter or a manuscript evaluation/critique)
In an editorial assessment, I look at the big picture. I will read your manuscript and give bird's-eye-view comments on plot, pacing, storyline, characterization, and voice (note the areas that I focus on will vary manuscript to manuscript). Tapping into my years of experience in book publishing, I will also advise you on where and how your work fits into the existing market — and where you could run into trouble. I will deliver this feedback in the form of a detailed letter that will outline what's working and what isn't, and how you might approach revision.
Developmental Edit
A developmental edit will include the letter as described above (the "Editorial Assessment"), plus margin comments made directly on your manuscript in Microsoft Word Track Changes. I will use these comments to tie the overarching thoughts from my letter into actionable examples in your manuscript, so that you can see where my feedback comes into play directly on the page.
Line Edit
In a line edit, I focus on your language and style in a full, in-depth markup of your manuscript using Microsoft Word Track Changes. I examine word choice, repeated phrases, flow, tone of voice, and continuity. I'll consider things like: Does this character's voice remain consistent throughout the manuscript?; Was that transition from one scene to the next a bit abrupt?; Am I having difficulty picturing the setting or characters in any given scene?; etc.; and make edits accordingly.
Copyedit
In a copyedit, I will read your manuscript very closely, with an eye towards typos, spelling and grammatical errors, and continuity. This includes ensuring that spelling, names, punctuation, and text treatment are consistent throughout. I will fact-check as I go. I’ll also check for repetition, confusing turns of phrase, and misused words. All of my copyedits will be made directly on the manuscript in Microsoft Word Track Changes. I’ll provide a standard style sheet to accompany the copyedits, which will list any sources, an index of characters, and so on. Overarching story feedback is not included.
Published or forthcoming books I have copyedited include: Sheine Lende by Darcie Little Badger; The Art Thieves and Chooch Helped by Andrea L. Rogers; and Secrets Ever Green and Castle Ever Dark by Sara Knightly.
Proofread
I consider proofreads to be a final cold read to ensure that your book is as polished as possible. I correct any lingering typos, grammatical errors, misspellings, formatting mistakes, etc., and do a final check for continuity and logic. Overarching story feedback is not included.
Published or forthcoming books I have proofread include: Pokemon Timelines by Katherine Andreou and Glenn Dakin; Black, Queer, & Untold by Jon Key; Mani Semilla Finds Her Quetzal Voice by Anna Lapera; A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger; Banjo Pickin' Karate Kickin' Crime Fightin' Grandmas by Mike Knudson; The Very Young Person's Guide to Christmas Carols by Tim Lihoreau; and What the Artist Saw: Paul Cézanne by Amy Guglielmo.