Frequently Asked Questions

The first step to figuring out which editing service you need is understanding what each level of editing entails, as each of them has a different focus. Developmental editing focuses on big-picture issues related to plot and character development, while copy and line editing focus on smaller, sentence- and paragraph-level issues, and proofreading is a final pass to ensure there are no lingering spelling, punctuation, or consistency errors.

I generally recommend that authors get every level of editing, but seasoned writers may already have a strong grasp on story and character structure and might not "need" developmental editing. It really boils down to how polished you want your work.

Actually, it does! The most cost-efficient way to handle editing is to follow this order:

Developmental

Copy and line

Proofreading (after final formatting and typesetting if self-publishing)

It's important to complete developmental edits before copy and line edits in case there are any major changes to your manuscript, to avoid having to pay for copy and line editing twice. Proofreading is a final pass and should be completed only after all other levels of editing—and, if you're planning on self-publishing, final formatting and typesetting—are done.

Although they're often used interchangeably, the terms "Alpha reading" and "Beta reading" mean two different things. 

Alpha readers read early, often rough and unedited drafts, paying attention to plot development and plot holes. Beta readers are readers from your target audience who read polished, edited, and near-final drafts to give feedback on reader experience and genre alignment.

Authors sometimes use alpha or beta readers in place of developmental editors, but this is not ideal. The job of an alpha/beta reader is to point out issues related to development and pacing, while a developmental editor's job is to offer suggested fixes for these issues. Developmental editors also pay attention to issues with character development, consistency, clarity, and other things a general alpha/beta reader may not notice.

My approach to alpha and beta reading can differ depending on what the client would like done. For example, I once had a client who had questions scattered throughout his manuscript for me to answer. These questions ranged from “Does this chapter add anything to the plot, or should it be removed?” to “Was there anything you didn’t like about the novel as a whole?” 

Other authors simply want a second opinion on the manuscript and let the reader decide which issues, if any, to raise, and some of them want in-line reactionary comments (an example of this would be something along the lines of “my heart is breaking. Why did you kill him, you monster?”).

Without guided questions, my process entails reading the manuscript in full and compiling something I refer to as a “beta reader report,” which is essentially a five-to-ten-page letter that details my thoughts on the manuscript. This report focuses on the plot and character development, dialogue, genre alignment, world-building (if applicable), and pacing. 

Developmental Editing:

My approach to developmental editing involves reading the manuscript in full and creating character sheets that pay special attention to character personality, appearance, arcs, and a chapter-by-chapter outline to pay attention to plot (development, holes, pacing, etc.). I then compile all my thoughts and editing suggestions into a detailed editorial letter, which I send to you along with the character sheets and outline once I’ve finished. I also utilize the commenting feature to add specific suggestions for improvement.

Please note that, unlike copy and line edits, developmental edits are not completed by the editor; rather, the editor offers detailed suggestions on how to fix the issues. 

Copy and Line Editing and Proofreading:

My process for copy and line editing and proofreading involves using the Track Changes and commenting features in Word or Google Docs to make and suggest edits related to sentence and paragraph level issues like structure, spelling, grammar, clarity, word choice, etc. I then compile all my notes into an editorial letter detailing my suggested edits.  

I offer free sample edits of up to 1,500 words to make sure we'd be a good fit for each other.

Please note that this is only offered for copy and line editing, since it's nearly impossible to provide accurate developmental (big-picture) editing suggestions without seeing the entire manuscript. For clients who wish to see examples of my developmental editing, I do have example developmental feedback letters—which have been heavily redacted for confidentiality reasons—available upon request. 

I am willing to sign any NDAs or other confidentiality agreements you may have, and I have a clause in my contract that ensures your work remains confidential both during and after the life of the contract.

The whole point of hiring an editor is to get a fresh set of eyes on your manuscript, someone who isn't familiar with the story, to point out potential mistakes. If I've completed any form of editing for your manuscript, I have become intrinsically invested in and familiar with your story and the writing in much of the same ways you are, so I always suggest hiring a different person—yet another fresh set of eyes—for proofreading.

I do not use AI during editing or while generating editorial feedback letters or beta reader reports. It's all human here.

All communication is done through email.

For editing, I prefer a Word document, but will accept a Google Doc.

For alpha/beta reading, it's up to you! A PDF, eBook, Word document, or Google Doc.

Please, God, no. 

I have the kind of anxiety that makes me completely freeze up and become unable to do things when people are watching me, so this is absolute torture, and there is a 100 percent chance of me screwing something up.

I also make notes to myself in the comments while I'm working, little things for me to circle back to later, especially when doing developmental edits, and this runs the risk of confusing both of us. 

I don't mind it for alpha/beta reading, but please do not send me a shared document for editing.

All payments are made in USD.

I use Stripe for invoicing and payment.

Payments are made in two parts: 50% before I begin, and 50% when I've finished.

*I do offer different payment plans, but all of them require some percentage of the total cost to be paid upfront, so I'm assured you will pay.

I offer weekly progress updates via email.

After completing the Order Request Form located on both the 'Editing and Reading Services' and 'Editing Portfolio' pages, I will reach out to you via email to discuss the timeline and next steps. These generally look something like this:

1. If we are starting right away, I will send you the contract and the first invoice after answering any questions you may have. If not, we wait until closer to our projected start date.

2. Once the contract is signed and the invoice is paid, I request your manuscript as either a Word document or a Google Doc, with commenting and editing permissions enabled. 

3. I begin reading/editing your manuscript, providing weekly progress updates as I go.

4. I return the edited manuscript to you, along with an editorial letter and any other notes I may have taken. I will also send the next/final invoice during this stage.

5. If we are doing more than one type of editing, I give you time to complete any revisions before you return the manuscript for the next round of editing.

6. Once the manuscript is returned to me for the second round of editing, we repeat steps 3-4. If we're also doing proofreading, we repeat steps 3-5 again, and we're done!