*All editing services below are completed as Word track changes or Google Doc suggestions.

Developmental Content Editing

This is the foundational work of shaping your book and typically the first step in the editing process.

It's about the big picture: the plot, character arcs, pacing, and overall structure. 

I'll work with you to strengthen your manuscript's core to have maximum impact and market potential. 

Developmental editing fixes areas such as:

• Active vs. passive voice

• Clarity

• Consistency

• Dialogue 

• Flow

• Lengthy sentences

• Repetition

• Structure

• Tone
  
  
  

(NOTE: While the terms line editing and copy editing are often used interchangeably, they actually refer to two distinct stages of the editing process.
Both focus on the manuscript at the sentence level, but they have different goals. See below for details.)

Line Editing

This is a stylistic edit that focuses on the art of the writing. 

As a line editor, I work through the manuscript line by line to improve the flow, rhythm, and overall effectiveness of the prose. 

This type of editing is creative and aimed at elevating the writing beyond being grammatically correct.

Line editing focuses on:

• Swapping out weak verbs or clichés for stronger, more evocative language

• Enhancing pacing and rhythm so sentences and paragraphs flow naturally and are varied in length

• Making sure the writing is clear, concise, and consistent with the author's unique voice

• Enhancing descriptions to make the world and characters more vivid for the reader

Line editing should be done after the developmental editing (big-picture plot and character work) is complete, but before the final copy edit.

Copy Editing

Copy editing is a more technical and objective process that focuses on the mechanics of the writing.

I copyedit manuscripts for clarity, consistency, and to be free of errors. This is typically one of the final steps before a book is published.

Copy editing fixes:

• Grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors

• Consistency issues, such as a character's feature needing changes or a timeline discrepancy

• Fact-checking basic information (e.g., proper names, historical dates)

• Formatting for consistency in things like capitalization, hyphenation, and numerals, often according to a specific style guide (like the Chicago Manual of Style)

Copy editing comes later, once your story is complete. This is the fine-tuning phase, where I focus on the mechanics of your writing. I'll meticulously correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation, while checking for consistency in style and language. This is the last step before publication.