Services

The Types of Editing I Do

There are several parts of the book publishing process, all of which help refine your book into the type of book that ends up on our shelves. I focus on the time closest to the writing of the book, when you’ve taken your ideas as far as you can by yourself and you need a professional to help shape it.

The three main types of work I do are:

Developmental editing. This is a broader-view edit that deals with content organization, finding and filling any gaps, and making cuts where they're needed. In this edit there are usually fewer line edits and more notes in the margin of your manuscript from me that ask questions, probe ideas and statements, and offer suggestions for changes that will make the book better. I track all of my changes and notes in the manuscript, send it back to you to review and revise with your changes tracked, and when we're ready we then move onto the next round of edits. Generally, we would go through two rounds of edits in a DE, though maybe more if it’s needed.

Copyediting. This is a more refined edit that deals with line edits, now that any broader structure and content issues have been addressed in a developmental edit. This edit deals with the “copy,” so anything you’ve written that may need corrections to spelling, grammar, or edits for clarity. This ensures that your book has the right voice, that the standard guidelines for books are followed, and that there aren’t any gaps or anything is repeated. There are generally two rounds of edits in this stage.

Ghostwriting. In this case you would supply me with your story, either from interviews, notes, audio recordings, etc., and I write your book in your voice. This is very specific to each author, so please contact me if you would like to discuss your situation.

What Editing a Book Looks Like

What you write can educate, inspire, and help others. My experience editing and managing books in different subjects and for different audiences and has helped me know how to tailor your book for your intended audience.

I work hard to keep the author's voice intact as I make or suggest changes to the book. My goal is to help you tell your story in the best way possible, and in line with your goals. I am thorough and detail-oriented, and love to find and bring out the detail that makes your book unique.

I work with some authors to get their book ready to submit to an agent or publisher, and sometimes the authors will self-publish. If you’re looking to submit your manuscript to a publisher, I can help get your book ready for that. If you’re looking to self-publish, I can help you get your book into professional shape. Wherever you are in the process, I can help you find your way forward. 

How I Price My Work

My pricing is generally by the project, based on word count, subject, and type of work.

Book Publishing Style Guides

I’m trained in The Chicago Manual of Style, APA, AP, and MLA styles, as well as American, UK, and Canadian English.