You’ve decided to write a book, but you don’t know where to start. ​
Or you have a first draft, but you aren’t sure what else it needs.​
You want to publish a clean manuscript that reflects your ideas and message to the world.
Developmental Editing
This is the earliest stage of editing where I take a high-level look at the structure of your manuscript. Perhaps you have a book idea and need help creating a map (outline) for your content. Or you already have a rough draft and need an eye for structure and flow.
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This foundational stage lays the groundwork for a strong book. A solid road map provides cohesion to your theme and reveals potential gaps in content. This phase involves a lot of feedback, rewriting, structural revisions, and research as we nail down the building blocks of your book.
Content Editing
This phase of editing happens after you’ve finished the first draft of your manuscript. I will take a more focused look at the structure and the overall effectiveness of your manuscript, evaluating the flow of your writing, the effectiveness of transitions, and the clarity of your presentation. I will be looking for a cohesive theme from beginning to end.
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During this phase, we may discover a section needs to be shifted, rearranging for maximum impact. Some areas may need beefing up, and some may need condensing. The goal is to present the best possible version before moving into the next phase of your publication journey.
How It Works
Each project begins with a free discovery call. The conversation provides a window into your vision for your book. We discuss the motivation fueling your project, your intended reader, and the projected timeline for editing and publication.
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Together, we’ll look at the scope of your work and come up with a plan to get you where you need to be. To ascertain your needs, I will need to evaluate an excerpt of your manuscript or outline. I will then put together a proposal outlining the deliverables for your specific project, the projected time frame for completion, and the cost and payment details.
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The price of your project can vary depending on several factors, including the type of editing you need, the length and complexity of your manuscript, and your budget. After our introductory call, we will both have a clearer idea of how the project will evolve, and I will be able to give you a price that’s reflective of your needs. My fee is based on $75 an hour, with projects ranging from 25 hours to 100 hours.
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I approach each project and client individually to meet your needs and budget. My goal is to find a solution tailored to meet your situation.
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Once the proposal is accepted, I will use the description in our contract as the statement of work. I will send the contract for your electronic signature. Once we’ve both signed, we’re ready to get started!
The Editing Process
I approach the editing process as a collaboration with the author. Depending on the stage of editing, I insert comments throughout your manuscript for your review. This is more of a coaching phase when you’re solidifying your outline or structure of your manuscript.
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Comments are added through Track Changes, the editing feature of Microsoft Word. If you aren’t familiar with this tool, check out Microsoft Word’s tutorial to become comfortable with this feature. Because this is a heavily used tool in the editing process, it is important to understand how to navigate the basic functions of Track Changes.
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Once I have finished a pass, I will send it to you for your review. You will review and add to the content or make changes and send back to me. Through this back-and-forth process, we will reach our goal and ready your manuscript for the next phase of your publishing journey.