Editing Services
Note: all prices are starter prices. Some projects are more complex than others. If you need extra support with your written English, or your work needs an extra level of care, the rate may change. Sending me a sample of your work will enable me to offer you the appropriate price, which will always be as low as possible. Discount offers available for longer projects.
Don’t see the option for your needs? – Email me.
Not sure what developmental editing is? Click the icon to view the FAQ:
For non-UK pricing please contact me.
Try Me – 1-2 pages (a representative sample) edited free-of-charge. I will return your sample, fully checked, with no obligation to continue.
Multiple formats catered for.
Standard format: Word doc with 'track changes' showing plus a 'clean' copy (track changes accepted).
Other digital formats, or hard copy with copy-editing mark-up provided if preferred. Just ask.
Why Choose Me?
1. I am experienced and thorough
With more than 25 years academic experience, and as many years writing for areas as diverse as poetry, fiction, translation, promotion, music and arts events, media and journalism, I have earned my spurs and will use my professional and life experience to refine your work.
I can edit all forms of fiction, as well as non-fiction. Simply put: I love reading, I love tidying, I love getting things clear, and so helping you find your voice and improve your words is my idea of a damn fine day on earth!
2. I correct grammar and punctuation . . . and so much more
Developmental editing is my speciality. I will substantively respond to everything about your work, whether it is an academic essay or thesis, non-fiction book, story, web article, blog post or poem. Look upon me as your 'creative consultant'. My aim is to give you advice that will help you see your strengths and weakness at all levels, from language use to concept, structure and argument. This will be important for the work in front of you, and for your writing to come – the ideas you take away will have an impact on how you think about your writing life as you grow.
Developmental Editing
Non-fiction
With over 25 years of high-level academic research behind me (1st class degree, MA, PhD) alongside various teaching and editing roles, I have the experience and knowledge to advise and guide you, to bring out the best in your writing. Developmental editing – sometimes called content editing – is suitable for all kinds of non-fiction – essays and articles at all levels, both academic and non-academic, non-fiction books in all genres, whether personal or technical, web content or business-related. I will show you where your work is strong, and where it could be improved. This will give you the guidance you need to raise your work to its highest potential. My critical perspective will help you get clear about your ideas, about any expectations and requirements in your area, and then, most importantly, it will help you communicate your meaning in the most effective way. Ideas are one part of the equation; but it is not enough to have a good idea. Knowing how to get your ideas across is an often-neglected, but critical step. Only when you are communicating clearly, concisely, and without unnecessary padding or complexity, will you get the marks, the audience, or the recognition you deserve.
Note: Prices will vary due to the different demands of projects. Some projects are more complex than others. If you need extra support with your written English, or your work needs an extra level of care, the rate may change. Sending me a sample of your work will enable me to offer you the appropriate price, which will always be as low as possible. Discount offers available for longer projects.
Developmental Editing: Advanced (price agreed after viewing sample)
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Close reading of entire manuscript, feedback given in an essay
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Email access to editor
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Comments and marks on manuscript (digital or paper)
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Forensic-level analysis: every line, paragraph and chapter considered, from word choice, phrasing and sentence structure to content and structure of your argument, requirements of your genre or course guidelines, reader expectation, clarity of your ideas and options for optimising or revising your text.
Developmental Editing: Pro (price agreed after viewing sample)
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All Advanced services plus:
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More comprehensive email access, enabling you to develop and revise your work in a supported, real time environment
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Even more detailed analysis of your text, from granular detail to general structure, theme and argument.
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Skype/Zoom call to discuss your work (up to 10K wds: 1 hour; over 10K: 2 hours)
Novels
Based upon over 25 years of top level academic research and a lifetime’s passion for reading, I have learned to analyse a story for the elements that are successful . . . and those that need attention. My developmental editing – sometimes called content editing – will show you where your work is strong, and where it could be improved. This will give you the guidance you need to bring out the best in your writing. The end result will be a book you can be proud of, that will be satisfying, entertaining and – bottom line – attractive to publishers.
I tailor my feedback according to the principles of good writing found in Larry Brooks’ Story Engineering, which contains a clear, complete set of tools for writing and structuring your story. With these tools in our hands, we can develop your concept and theme, clarify character, reinforce structure, fine-tune pacing and bring your narrative voice into focus.
Note: Prices will vary due to the different demands of projects. Some projects are more complex than others. If you need extra support with your written English, or your work needs an extra level of care, the rate may change. Sending me a sample of your work will enable me to offer you the appropriate price, which will always be as low as possible. Discount offers available for longer projects.
Novel Pro (price agreed after viewing sample)
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Entire book read, feedback given in an essay
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Email access to editor
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Comments and marks on manuscript
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Forensic-level feedback: my most detailed analysis of the sentence and paragraph level of your writing, alongside wider structural, thematic and stylistic dimensions
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I hr Zoom/Skype call to discuss your book
Novel Advanced (price agreed after viewing sample)
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Entire book read, feedback given in an essay
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Email access to editor
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Comments and marks on manuscript (digital or paper)
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Extensive feedback addressing all the elements of your book
Novel Basic (price agreed after viewing sample)
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Entire book read, feedback given in an essay
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Email access to editor
Short Stories, Short Story Collections
How Does It Work?
Literary magazines publish less than 5% of the stories they receive. Professional editing and feedback will elevate your manuscript, vastly improving your chances of getting noticed. That's where I can help.
You will receive a detailed essay responding to all the different elements of you story:
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concept / characters
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plot / theme
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tone / scene execution
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opening / conclusion
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point of view / authorial voice
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I'll read and re-read your work – in-depth feedback will be tailored to your needs.
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I will be available by email for discussion and clarification (and by skype if we agree it is needed).
LINE-EDITING & COPY-EDITING
Proofreading plus detailed checking of word usage.
Suited to projects that are well-developed but in need of a keen pair of eyes and a critical mind to bring them to full fruition.
Best option for shorter documents: essays, web & promotional content, artist statements, band biographies, CVs, job applications, blogs & online.
✓Checked – sentence construction, clarity of expression, consistency, repetition & fact-checking. Here the focus is tight, on sentences and paragraphs.
✗Not Checked – argument, formal structural, thematic or narrative issues, layout & formatting, pagination, font/fount consistency.
Copy-editing (price after viewing sample)
✓Checked – all aspects of a typescript or digital document. Typescript: all Chapterhouse protocols followed (www.chapterhousepublishing.co.uk); Digital Document: all aspects of document checked, including pagination, justification, titles, headers and footers, font/fount consistency. Document can be finished in multiple formats: Word, pdf, Pages. I can finalise your document for e-publishing.
✗Not Checked – argument, logic and coherence, structure, narrative, thematic or conceptual form, character development, dialogue consistency, imagery & metaphor, authorial voice, originality.
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Don’t see the option for your needs? Email me.
Not sure what proofreading is? Click the icon to view the FAQ:
PROOFREADING
Option 1 – Standard Proofreading
✓Checked – all aspects of a raw text: spelling, grammar, punctuation, diction.
✗Not Checked – formatting, layout, structure.
Option 2 – Advanced Proofreading
✓Checked – all aspects of a text, producing a finished document in compliance with Chapterhouse protocols (www.chapterhousepublishing.co.uk): language (as above), layout (titles, headers/footers), pagination, font/fount consistency etc.
Follow-up editing
If you would like me to check your document/manuscript after receiving it back and making changes, I will do so at a 25% discounted rate (provided your changes do not constitute a new manuscript).
I am a devotee of language; language that speaks through you, through me – through all of us. Helping you bring your writing into being is my passion – your writing is a gift to the world, and your voice deepens the world's timbre, enriching and improving it. Writing is permanent; it leaves its mark on the skin of the universe.
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Note – this button is for all payments after projects have been agreed.
Please contact me to discuss your option before making a payment.
CONTACT
email me here:
Based in Brighton, UK. Postal address for manuscripts provided as required.