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My Editing Services

Developmental Edit

Developmental Edit

Also known as structural editing, a developmental edit focuses on the big-picture elements of your novel – plot, structure, character arcs, pacing, tension and narrative flow.

This edit looks at how your story works as a whole. Are the stakes clear? Do the twists land? Are the characters believable and well-motivated? Does the pacing keep readers engaged, or are there places it lags?

The developmental edit tackles the heavy lifting of manuscript revision, helping you to shape your draft into a stronger, more compelling story and tell it in the most effective way possible. Ultimately we ask, 'Is this the best way to tell this story?'

Editorial Assessment

If you're looking for a clear, professional overview of how your manuscript is working, an editorial assessment is a great place to start. It offers big-picture feedback on your novel’s strengths and weaknesses, with practical suggestions to guide your next revision.

You’ll receive a written report that highlights what’s working well, what needs further development, and where to focus your attention to strengthen the story.

Assessments are available at different levels – from early-stage Professional Reads and Reader’s Reports, to more in-depth full Editorial Assessments – and can be tailored to both full and partial manuscripts.

Line Editing

While a structural edit focuses on the big picture, a line edit hones in on the craft of the prose; how the story is told, line by line.
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Clarity, rhythm, tone and flow are refined at the sentence level. Repetitions, clunky phrasing, awkward transitions and unrealistic dialogue are flagged, with suggestions made to enhance the reading experience while preserving the author’s voice.

Edits are delivered using Tracked Changes and in-line comments, allowing full visibility and control over the suggested revisions.

Copy Editing

Copy editing prepares a manuscript for publication by correcting errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, usage, and style.

Issues such as overly long sentences, inconsistent formatting, and the overuse of italics, bold, capitals, or exclamation marks are addressed. Particular attention is paid to consistency and accuracy throughout the text.

All edits are made using Tracked Changes and comments in Microsoft Word, allowing the author to review and approve each suggestion.

Proofreading

As the final editorial stage before publication, proofreading is designed to catch lingering errors in a near-final, typeset manuscript.

It involves reviewing the text for typos, layout issues, formatting inconsistencies and errors that may have been introduced during typesetting or missed during earlier edits. Proofreading is typically carried out on print-ready or conversion-ready files (for eBooks), either on-screen or on hard copy.

Please note: proofreading is not a substitute for copy editing, and is most effective after all other editing stages have been completed.

Query Submission Review

For authors pursuing traditional publishing, a strong submission package is essential. This service provides a professional review of your query letter, synopsis, and the first three chapters to help ensure they are clear, compelling and ready to send out.
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The focus is on refining existing materials for enhancing clarity, tone and structure so that your submission stands out to agents and publishers.

Please note: Available as a standalone service or following a full manuscript edit. This is a review-only service. Submission materials must be drafted prior to the edit.

Formatting

This service prepares a manuscript for print or ebook publication with professional interior formatting.
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Best suited to fiction and narrative non-fiction with simple layouts and minimal images, this service is ideal for authors who are unsure how to create publication-ready files, or simply prefer to avoid the hassle.

For those planning to publish multiple books, a custom template can be set up with the first title, making it easy to format future books on your own, with minimal help.

A discounted rate is available when booked alongside a copy edit.

The Crime Clinic

Flexible one-to-one editorial consults for crime, thriller, and suspense writers who want clear, honest insight — without the commitment of a full edit.

Whether you need assistance with story clarity, feedback on pages, answers to your quick-fire questions or just the chance to bounce ideas around, these live video/phone calls are designed around your needs to provide you with clear direction and space to think.

No commitment. No pressure. Just an hour (or less) of expert insight to help you move forward with confidence.

Sessions start at $35 CAD/£20, so are an affordable opportunity to dip your toe into working with an editor.

Rates

All editing services are tailored to your manuscript’s needs, taking into consideration word count, genre, and the level of editing required.

If you’re not sure which service is right for you, get in touch and I'd be happy to chat with you about the best approach for you and your manuscript.

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