if you have just finished your manuscript, an editorial assessment is a cost-effective way to get feedback on key issues such as structure, characterisation, pace, or conflict.

While similar to developmental editing in terms of the areas of focus, an editorial assessment isn’t quite as in-depth.

I recommend this option if you’re budget conscious - and you can use it as part of the payment towards a full developmental edit at a later stage.

You have completed at least one draft of your manuscript and are looking to make it as great as it can be while keeping the costs down. You want to get an editor’s opinion on the main elements of your writing before you rewrite and redraft.

You’re budget-conscious and/or you would like to try an assessment first before you go for the full developmental edit of your work.

I will read your work all the way through and will condense my feedback into an editorial letter. This will include my recommendations for any issues I picked up on, for example, character development, plot holes or inconsistencies, issues with tenses or POVs, or the overall structure.

The assessment doesn’t include any tracked changes or comments in the margins. You can opt to have a Zoom call at the end of the process in order to go through my comments and recommendations.

An editorial consultation is a fantastic option when you’re not ready for a full assessment or edit. It can help you get your thoughts together, pinpoint where you may have gaps, help you decide on the genre, structure, or form, and provide you with valuable advice on how to turn your ideas into a finished draft.

This option will give you the flexibility of getting a professional editor’s opinion fast and at an affordable cost.

If you have not finished your manuscript yet, or don’t feel ready for an assessment or a developmental edit, an editorial consultation is an excellent option for you.

Or you might have an idea or have gathered materials for a book but are not quite sure how to put it all together.

Perhaps you want confirmation that you’re on the right track, or just a few specific questions that don’t require a full edit.

You will have an option of sending an excerpt of your work (up to 5000 words) and a synopsis if you have one. If you’re still at the planning stages, then you will be able to send me your thoughts and materials to look over before our Zoom or telephone call.

I will highlight any issues with your work (including plot, narrative style, voice, characterisation) and give you recommendations on how to strengthen your writing (either in the form of a mini editorial letter or a Zoom call).

A line edit focuses on your writing style, flow, clarity, and readability.

The main goal of a line edit is to enhance your writing while making it as clear and polished as possible.

A copyedit looks at grammar, spelling, and punctuation - the technical elements of your writing.

The aim of a copy edit is to improve flow, consistency, and accuracy of your writing.

Both line and copy editing are performed towards the end of your publishing journey.

If you are pursuing traditional publishing, a copy edit will be provided by your publisher.

You may still decide to get your manuscript line edited as this can help polish your work before you submit it to agents and publishers.

If you’re self-publishing, you will need both line and copy editing.

If you have opted for a combined line and copy edit, you will receive your final document in Microsoft Word with my edits done using the Tracked Changes function. This will allow you to see clearly all the edits and recommendations I have made.

I will also send you a style sheet and detailed notes in a separate documents.

If you have booked a line edit on its own, you will receive the final document in Microsoft Word and in Tracked Changes, as well as separate notes and, whenever necessary, a style sheet.

Beta reading is a read-through of your manuscript from the perspective of a reader. This is what makes it different from other editorial services.

When I do a beta read, I take off my editor’s hat and read your manuscript only as a reader.

A beta reading will provide you with valuable feedback on your manuscript if you want to understand how readers will respond to your story.

If you have a good draft that has been self-edited and want to test it out with some reader feedback, a beta reading is a good option. Depending on the feedback, you might decide to have a developmental edit or to self-edit some more.

Beta reading can be done at various stages of writing. If you’ve had a developmental edit elsewhere and are now looking for reader-perspective feedback on an improved draft, a beta read could be for you.

My beta read comes with a 1-3 page report giving you my overall impressions after reading your manuscript.

You will also receive real-time reaction comments in the manuscript so you can understand how I responded to different parts of your book.

I do my best to keep my editor’s brain locked up during a beta reading and to read like a reader, so if you feel that you need editorial feedback, you should consider my editorial services instead such as a manuscript assessment or developmental editing.