Editing services

Please note, the definitions of what constitutes a structural, line, and copy edit differ slightly from editor to editor. These definitions are ones I have written and use to organise my own services. I also do not offer proofreading.

Copyediting

Copyediting is concerned with correcting grammar, spelling, and punctuation. It omits errors in the text that might impede clarity, coherence, correctness (according to rules of the English language), and consistency.

A copyedit should come after all other stages of editing but before the final proofread.

*Note: I offer combined line & copyediting services.*

Line editing

Line editing focuses predominantly on language, style, and syntax at sentence level. An editor will go line by line to improve sentence structure, looking to ensure clarity is achieved and flow is consistent and effective. As an editing approach it is stylistic, more concerned with readability and impact rather than what is grammatically correct and incorrect. Thus, it does not concern itself with correcting spelling, punctuation, and grammar (this happens in the copyediting stage). Before a copyedit, a line edit is almost always recommended. After the reshuffling, cutting, and adding that occurs in and after the structural edit, a line edit gives the chance to further improve the writing.

Line edits should come after structural editing and before a copyedit.

*Note: I offer combined line & copyediting services.*

Structural editing

This can be the most extensive editing service. It involves zooming in on elements of your writing such as structure, style, voice, tense, themes, reader intrigue, pace, (and more applicable to fiction writing), character development, narrative structure, and plot development. This level of editing is where major changes to your text are most likely to occur; it is finalising and defining what your manuscript is going to be.

Structural edits should come before line and copyediting.

Manuscript evaluation

Evaluation is recommended in the earlier stages of novel writing, ordinarily once the first draft of the text is complete. As an evaluator (also known as ‘alpha reader’) I would read your manuscript before it has had any editorial attention; I act as the first reader of your unfinished novel so I can then offer feedback and advice going into the next draft of writing. This feedback is given to help you understand where the strengths and weaknesses lie in your current draft. A developmental review can also act as a cheaper alternative to a structural edit, where I review the big structural issues you might need advice and guidance with.

Coaching

See Coaching Packages for full details.

Project management

Under certain circumstances, I am able to manage authors working on larger, long-term projects. Get in contact to find out if I am a good fit for you.