SAMPLE EDIT
What is a Developmental Sample Edit?
A sample edit works as a mini-diagnostic checkup for your story. It helps us see if our working styles match before we commit to a full project. For this sample, I review a short excerpt of your book (approximately 4-8 pages/1,000-2,000 words) to analyze big picture elements.
What You Will Receive
- In-Line Margin Comments: I leave digital sticky notes right inside your document. These show my live reader reactions, points of confusion, or areas where pacing drags.
- Structural Notes: I will call out any issues I see with big picture issues such as plot logic, genre conventions, character motivation, and scene-level tension.
- A Mini Feedback Summary: Instead of a long, multi-page editorial report, I include a short wrap-up paragraph at the end of the document highlighting your major strengths and next steps.
What is NOT Included
- Grammar and Typo Fixes: Developmental editing focuses entirely on the story. We will not look at commas, spelling, or sentence mechanics during this stage.
- A Full Editorial Letter: Comprehensive, multi-page reports are reserved for full-length manuscript edits.
Investment:
Flat fee of $75, which is credited toward your final cost of editing if we choose to move forward with the project.
MANUSCRIPT EVALUATION
What is a Manuscript Evaluation?
A manuscript evaluation is a high-level structural review of your complete book. I read your story from start to finish to evaluate its commercial potential, core concept, and narrative health. It provides you with a professional roadmap for your next draft at a fraction of the cost of a full developmental edit.
What You Will Receive
- A Detailed Editorial Report: You will receive a comprehensive 2-4 page report breaking down the big picture elements of your story. This letter assesses your plot structure, pacing, character arcs, world-building, and genre expectations.
- Actionable Next Steps: The report provides clear recommendations on how to approach your upcoming revisions for maximum impact.
- Selective In-Text Examples: While I do not mark up the entire document, I will leave a handful of notes within your text to illustrate the big-picture concepts discussed in your report.
- Perfect for budget-conscious authors who have a finished first draft but do not know what to do next.
What is NOT Included
- Comprehensive Margin Comments: Unlike a full developmental edit, this service does not include hundreds of individual notes or live reader reactions throughout the entire manuscript.
- Line Editing and Proofreading: I am looking strictly at structural mechanics. I will not fix grammar, punctuation, typos, or specific word choices.
Investment: Begins at $0.015 per word, but will be charged as a project based fee (no surprise overages!)
Turnaround: Typically 2–3 weeks. Please inquire for availability.
DEVELOPMENTAL EDIT
What is a Developmental Edit?
A full developmental edit is a deep-dive into the mechanics of your entire manuscript. It focuses on the foundation of your storytelling. I read your complete book to evaluate high-level elements like plot structure, pacing, character arcs, world-building, and thematic depth.
What You Will Receive
- A Detailed Editorial Letter: This is a comprehensive, multi-page strategy guide for your revisions. It breaks down what is working well in your manuscript and provides actionable, step-by-step blueprints to fix structural plot holes or weak character arcs.
- Extensive In-Line Margin Comments: I leave notes throughout your entire document. These highlight specific areas where pacing drags, dialogue falls flat, or character motivations need to be deepened.
- Follow-Up Consultation: After you have had a chance to review the feedback, we will set up a time to connect over video call to answer your questions and brainstorm your next steps.
What is NOT Included
- Line Editing and Proofreading: This edit looks exclusively at the big picture. We will not fix grammar, punctuation, or word choice, as these elements will naturally change when you rewrite your scenes.
- Ghostwriting or Rewriting: My job in a developmental edit is to guide you, not to write the book for you! I will sometimes rewrite a sentence or two in the margin comments to show you an example of a technique. However, you will handle the actual revision work.
- Need extra hands-on help? If you want a professional to roll up their sleeves and do the rewriting for you, check out my Book Doctoring services below.
- Feeling stuck on how to fix a scene? We can also add on Book Coaching sessions to brainstorm and walk through your revisions together step-by-step! See below.
Investment: Begins at $0.035 per word, but will be charged as a project based fee (no surprise overages!)
Turnaround: Typically 4–6 weeks. Please inquire for availability.
BOOK COACHING
What is Book Coaching?
Book coaching is a collaborative partnership that gives you step-by-step guidance, accountability, and support as you write or revise. We work together to tackle any challenges as you progress through your manuscript. This is perfect for authors who want help from an expert in their corner to beat writer's block and keep them on track.
What You Will Receive
- Regular or One-Off Live Coaching Sessions: We will meet via video or phone calls to brainstorm plot points, unpack character motivations, and map out your next chapters.
- Ongoing Page Reviews: You can submit fresh pages or revised scenes before our meetings for me to review and provide feedback on.
- Accountability & Email Support: You get a cheering section and a deadline partner to help you stay motivated and finish your goals.
What is NOT Included
- Independent Editing: I do not take your manuscript away to edit it on my own. We review and improve the pages together.
- Done-For-You Writing: I will provide a roadmap and tools, but you are the one writing the story and making the revisions.
Investment:
- Single Session $150:
One
60-minute call to solve a specific plot hole or brainstorm an outline.
- Monthly Package $450: Two 60-minute video calls per month ($150 value) + up to 5,000 words of reading and margin notes between calls (approx. 4 hours of prep work = $300 value).
BOOK DOCTORING
What is Book Doctoring?
Book doctoring is a
hands-on rewriting service for authors who want a professional to step in and fix structural issues directly in the text. If you feel overwhelmed by a messy draft, short on time, or stuck on how to fix a major plot hole, I roll up my sleeves and do the heavy lifting for you while keeping your unique storytelling voice alive.
What You Will Receive
- Direct Manuscript Rewriting: I edit and rewrite scenes directly inside your document to smooth out rough dialogue, fix pacing issues, and bridge plot gaps.
- Structural Reconstruction: If needed I reshape the flow of your chapters so the story hooks readers from start to finish.
- Progress Check-Ins: We stay in close contact throughout the process to ensure the new material aligns with your vision. (e.g. after initial discussion, I would start with rewriting one chapter, then connect to ensure you approve of the changes before moving forward with more.)
What is NOT Included
- Ghostwriting from Scratch:
Book doctoring requires an existing draft to work from. I cannot write a brand-new book from a blank page for you.
- Final Proofreading: Because we are changing and rewriting big parts of the text, the manuscript will still need a final polish for typos and grammar later.
Investment: Because every manuscript requires a different level of care, book doctoring is quoted on a project basis. Please reach out for more information.
LET'S MAKE
STORYTELLING MAGIC!