This is a service for writers who have nailed the plot and structure of their novel, and now want to fine-tune their individual sentences so that readers remain fully immersed in the storytelling.

It’s a sentence-level service which combines two separate types of edit:

a) A line edit to improve the artistry and readability of your writing; and

b) A copyedit to correct the technical nuts and bolts of your writing.

The line edit addresses issues such as:

·       the flow of language

·       vocabulary choices

·       repetitive sentence structures

·       clichés

·       consistency of authorial tone

·       unconvincing dialogue

·       issues with point of view and narrative perspective

The copyedit checks for things like:

·       grammatical errors

·       spelling and punctuation errors

·       inconsistencies in hyphenation and capitalisation

·       story continuity glitches

·       unintentional ambiguity and confusing phrases or syntax

·       basic factual inaccuracies (eg. historic dates, place names, anachronistic language)

·       potential legal issues (eg. defamation)

I can work to a publisher’s style guide if required.

I put your novel into standard manuscript formatting (using Microsoft Word styles). If needed, I can also prepare the manuscript for professional typesetting by adding code tags to the text.

The process

I work through your manuscript in Microsoft Word using Track Changes. I add comments explaining why I’m suggesting certain changes, along with any additional queries that arise.

When I’ve completed the Line & Copyedit, I’ll return your manuscript to you (in Word), with all the changes and suggestions tracked for you to see. You’ll then be able to accept or reject the changes as you see fit.

I also provide, if requested, a ‘clean copy’ of the manuscript with all the changes I have suggested already accepted.

I provide a document summarising the main issues encountered during the edit.

I prepare a style sheet listing the styles of language used and the editorial decisions made. This will help the manuscript maintain a consistent style throughout any future revisions and proofreading.

To assist with continuity, I also provide character profiles and a breakdown of the main narrative structures, locations and timelines.

Throughout the edit, I am available to answer any queries you may have.

My fee for a Line & Copyedit

My fee for a Line & Copyedit is very reasonable, and agreed on a per-job basis. To provide a quote, I need to know how long your manuscript is and to see a sample (typically, the first 3,000 words or so) that I can assess it. If you’re happy with the quote I provide, we’ll agree a deadline for the work.

A typical fee for this service would be in the region of £10 per 1,000 words.

I invoice for 20% of my fee when you send me your complete manuscript, with the remainder payable when I return your manuscript after completing my edit.

This is a ‘big picture’ service for writers who have finished an early draft of their novel, and are wanting feedback on what’s working and what’s not. I will produce an editorial report (typically 10–12 pages long) which highlights strengths and weaknesses of your work, along with suggestions for improvements you could make on your next draft. The report will look at areas like:

·       structure

·       dialogue

·       plotting

·       characterisations

·       emotional engagement

·       dramatic climaxes

·       suitability for target market

This service is intended to be a condensed developmental edit, and does not involve detailed comments added directly to your manuscript.

My fee for an Editorial Assessment

For manuscripts up to a length of 90,000 words, I charge a flat fee of £120. Longer novels are charged slightly more.

I invoice for 20% of my fee when you send me your manuscript, with the remainder payable when I deliver your Editorial Assessment report.