FAQs

Bringing a professional editor into your story is a big step! I want our partnership to feel transparent, supportive, and stress-free. Here is a look at exactly how we will take your manuscript from a rough draft to a shining, market-ready book.

Step 1: The Initial Inquiry

Your journey starts on my contact page. You will fill out a short form telling me about your book's genre, word count, and which service you are interested in. Don't worry if you aren't 100% sure what level of editing you need yet—we will figure that out together!

Step 2: The Paid Sample Edit & Credit

If you are interested in a Developmental Edit, we start with a paid sample edit of around 2,000 words for a small fee of $75. This allows me to get a quick view into your story and show you exactly how I give feedback.

If you decide to move forward with the full edit, this fee is credited 100% back to your final invoice, making the sample completely free in the end!

Step 3: The Custom Proposal & Booking

Once we agree we are a great fit, I will send over an official project proposal. This will include:

• Your exact, transparent flat project fee.

• A clear timeline with your guaranteed delivery date.

• A contract and your custom deposit invoice to officially lock your spot on my calendar.

Step 4: The Editing Phase (Behind the Scenes)

For our scheduled start date, you will send over your manuscript as a Microsoft Word .docx file (preferred) or Google Doc. Then, it’s my turn to dive in! I will read your story deeply, dissecting your plot, characters/arcs, dialogue, and pacing. You don't need to do a thing during this time except relax and celebrate taking this huge step in your writing journey.

Step 5: The Grand Delivery

On or before your deadline date, I will send back your editorial files! Depending on the service you chose, you will receive your comprehensive editorial strategy letter, your manuscript marked up with detailed margin comments, or your freshly doctored chapters.

Step 6: Post-Edit Support & Next Steps

I will never just drop a pile of edits on your lap and disappear! 

All major editing packages include:

• 30 Days of Email Support:  You can email me with any clarifying questions about your editorial letter or margin notes as you process the feedback. 
• A 60-Minute Revision Strategy Call:  To be used within 30 days of receiving your final files. This video call is your chance to ask questions, untangle plot knots, and brainstorm solutions to any roadblocks together. And celebrate!
• Please note: Post-edit support covers questions and brainstorming about your current feedback. It does not include reviewing, reading, or editing newly rewritten scenes or chapters. If you want hands-on feedback on your new draft, we can easily set up a Book Coaching package or a follow-up review tier!

Think of these three services as different levels of support for your story.

Manuscript Evaluation:  This is a high-level overview. I read your full book and write a comprehensive report detailing what works and what needs help. I do not leave individual notes inside your text. This is a budget-friendly option to give you a roadmap for your next draft.

Developmental Editing:  This is a deep-dive into the mechanics of your manuscript. I provide a highly detailed report detailing what is working and what needs improvement, plus hundreds of specific margin comments inside your document to show you exactly where and how to fix pacing, character arcs, and plot logic. I may give a couple of brief samples in your manuscript of how to fix a few issues for clarity, but I do not make any of the recommended changes to your manuscript. You decide what edits to move forward with, and make those edits yourself. 

Book Doctoring:  This is a hands-on rescue service with close collaboration. If after a dev edit you are totally stuck, overwhelmed, or short on time and want more help, I roll up my sleeves and rewrite scenes, smooth out dialogue, and fix plot holes directly inside your manuscript for you.

No. My services focus strictly on the "big picture" elements of your story (goal, motivation, conflict, character arcs, pacing, and structure). Because major sections of your book will change during revisions, fixing commas and grammar issues early on is a waste of your money! I highly recommend hiring a copyeditor or proofreader after our structural work is fully complete.

I specialize in speculative fiction. I love working within the broader fantasy category and some romance, but my favorite genres are mythic fiction, romantasy, paranormal romance, and urban fiction. This is what I read the most and what lights me up!

If you aren't sure if I'd be interested in your particular project, just shoot me a note and I'll let you know. :)

Every manuscript is unique! One book might just need a little pacing help, while another might need a total plot overhaul and brand-new scenes. I review your manuscript first to estimate how many hours of intensive writing it will require. Then, I give you a transparent flat project fee so you can budget with 100% certainty.

Yes! Writing a book is a huge investment. For full developmental edits and book doctoring projects, I will break the cost into a split deposit plan (for example, 50% upfront to secure your spot on my calendar, and 50% upon delivery of the final files). We can discuss custom milestones as needed during our initial consultation.

Turnaround times depend on my current calendar availability and your manuscript's length and complexity. Generally, a Manuscript Evaluation takes 2 to 3 weeks, a Full Developmental Edit takes 4 to 6 weeks, and Book Doctoring timelines are customized based on the depth of the project. I will always give you a firm deadline date before we sign a contract.

To give you the best results, the manuscript you submit on our project start date must be your final “locked” draft (i.e. You’re done making changes until the edits are returned to you). If you think of a brilliant new plot twist or make major changes after I have started working, please let me know right away! We can pause the project and adjust our contract scope and fee to match your new direction.