Editing Services



Whether you have a book-length manuscript or a shorter writing project, are planning to self-publish, traditionally publish, or submit to a magazine, you want your final product to be the best that it can possibly be and error-free. Listed below are the editorial services available for book manuscripts and other types of writing projects, with a detailed description of each, plus a few other services that I provide, depending on your project and publishing path. 

📑 Book Manuscripts

(fiction | nonfiction | memoir)


The following editorial services and rates are available for book manuscripts with a minimum length of 30,000 words. For shorter manuscripts, please refer to the descriptions and rates in Shorter Writing Projects. If you're not sure which type of editing your manuscript is ready for, you might consider scheduling a Choose-My-Path or Ask-the-Editor Consultation.


Developmental Edit

Once you have a completed manuscript, a developmental edit reviews all the big-picture aspects of your book and provides detailed feedback on what works well and specific suggestions for areas where you might consider revising. My developmental edit includes two full readings of your manuscript: the first to get a feel for the story as a whole, then a second read-through to start making comments and recommendations for ways to make it stronger. Suggestions will be marked directly in the manuscript (usually in a Word document) and written up in a comprehensive, detailed editorial report with explanations and resources for why and how to implement recommended revisions. Prior to the edit, we will schedule a 30-Minute Dev Chat — a phone or video meeting to discuss your project details, writing and publishing goals, and expectations for the edit and to determine an editorial plan. Once the edit is complete, we will conclude with another meeting to discuss the edit, answer any questions, and make a plan for revisions and next steps. 

The big-picture areas of focus for a novel or memoir include:
  • Story premise
  • Plot structure and organization
  • Plot questions, inconsistencies, and loose ends
  • Pacing and narrative arc
  • Chapter divisions and word count
  • Timelines and chronology
  • Setting and time period
  • Character roles and development
  • Dialogue and language style
  • Point of view
  • Voice and tone
  • Narrative techniques (show vs. tell)
  • Themes
  • Audience
The big-picture areas of focus for a nonfiction book include:
  • Organization and structure
  • Pacing, chapter continuity, and transitions
  • Consistency with voice, tone, and style
  • Clarity and impact of the message 
  • Accessibility and relatability to the target audience
Prerequisites: Your manuscript should be complete to the best of your ability. Ideally, you have had others read it and give you feedback, and you've made some revisions*. I will need to see a sample from the beginning, middle, and end of your manuscript, and I will provide a list of preliminary editorial questions for you to answer prior to beginning my edit, some of which will be discussed during our initial meeting (scheduling details below).
Estimated Time: 4 - 8 weeks, depending on length and needs of manuscript
Rate: $0.035 to $0.07 per word (Determined based on your sample writing, questionnaire answers, and the editorial plan.)

If you are interested in a Developmental Edit, please CLICK HERE to schedule a free 30-Minute Dev Chat to tell me about your project, preferred timeline, and publishing goals.
(*If your manuscript is still in progress or you are a first-time author with a completed first draft, you might consider starting with a Manuscript Critique or First 10K/20K Review. If you're not sure which type of editing your manuscript is ready for, I also offer Project-Planning Sessions and Ask-the-Editor Consultations.)

Client Testimonial: 
"Outstanding as usual. My go-to developmental editor from now on. . . . My experience of working with Lynn has been truly gratifying. I like her honest, forthright, yet encouraging observations and suggestions. I have taken on board 95% of these which has improved and deepened my MS by a country mile. . . . If you treasure your writing like a child, which most of us do, Lynn is a safe pair of hands with which to leave your baby."
 —Charles Chellis, author The Dread Lions of Rufiji

(Click here for more client comments about my Developmental Editing.)


Manuscript Critique / Editorial Assessment

If you're not quite ready for a full developmental edit, another option is an editorial assessment or evaluation/critique of your manuscript to get some general feedback. A Manuscript Critique reviews most of the same big-picture aspects as a Developmental Edit, but without the lengthy report and specific suggestions for how and where to make revisions directly in your manuscript. This is an excellent option for first-time authors with very rough first drafts that need some guidance on the macro-level revisions, or experienced writers who want feedback on specific areas. The Manuscript Critique will include one review of the full manuscript and a short editorial letter pointing out the strengths and suggestions for areas that could use more attention. A one-hour wrap-up meeting is also included.

Prerequisites: Your manuscript should be complete or nearly complete. A writing sample isn't necessary beforehand, but I will provide the same list of questions as with a Developmental Edit for you to answer prior to beginning my review.
Estimated Time: 2 - 6 weeks, depending on length of manuscript and availability
Rate: Base rate of $75, plus $0.018 to $.02 per word

If you are interested in a Manuscript Critique, please CLICK HERE to schedule a free 30-Minute Crit Chat to discuss your project details and editorial needs.

 Client Testimonial: 

"It is said the journey to a destination is the best part, same with writing. Research proved to be my favorite part. However, when I submitted my manuscript, suddenly there were bumps in the road that I had not expected. My book is my first ever and I let Lynn know that. Apprehension remained high until I received my (editorial assessment) report. . . . Lynn included extensive helpful tips and suggestions that inspired me to seek reference material to smooth out my story. I highly recommend her for her patience and skills. I plan on using her for further editing."
 —Jeffrey J., action thriller in-progress

(Click here for more client comments about my Editorial Assessments.) 

First 10K or 20K Review

Whether you have a completed first draft or a manuscript still in progress, getting your first 10,000 or 20,000 words reviewed by a professional can be a great way to ensure that your story is on the right track before investing in a full-service developmental edit, manuscript critique, or other editorial service that the manuscript might not be ready for. 

This in-depth assessment will review the same big-picture aspects as a Developmental Edit, providing feedback based on industry standards and reader expectations for your genre and target audience. The review will include notes and comments directly in the document and a two- to three-page report with a summary of what’s working well and suggestions for areas that could use attention. The report will also include a customized list of resources, which may include links to online articles, videos, or podcasts; book recommendations; printable worksheets or exercises; or relevant upcoming workshops/webinars (always free or very low-cost). Not only will this initial assessment save you money and time and improve the writing of these early pages, it will also help guide your writing and revisions of the next chapters and beyond.

Prerequisites: Your first 10,000 or 20,000 words of a full-length book manuscript. A writing sample isn't necessary beforehand, but I will provide the same list of questions as with a Developmental Edit for you to answer prior to beginning my review.

Estimated Time: 1 - 3 weeks, depending on schedule availability

Rate: 10K Review = $550; 20K Review = $750


If you are interested in a First 10K or 20K Review for your manuscript, please CLICK HERE to submit a no-obligation 
Request for this service. Once I recieve your inquiry and project details, I will let you know my availability for your project.


Line/Copy Edit 

Once you're confident in the final structure and content of your manuscript, it is time to start fine-tuning the text with a line and/or copy edit. This is where all of your sentences and words are checked for proper grammar and punctuation and to make sure your intended message comes across accurately to the reader. It also checks for consistency with style, capitalization, spelling, formatting, and treatment of numbers. Sentences may be rewritten for better flow, to avoid redundancies, to ensure proper word usage and clarity, and for consistency with voice and tone. This is done following a specific style guide (usually Chicago Manual of Style) and dictionary. While some editors separate line editing and copy editing as two different, distinct stages of editing, there is enough crossover between them that I blend them into one type of editing with multiple rounds. Below is a list of everything included in my line/copy edit:
  • Line-by-line edit of the full manuscript to check for style, consistency, formatting, word usage, syntax, grammar, spelling, punctuation, repetition, redundancy, and generally making sure your words and sentences express your intended meaning
  • Light fact-checking, as needed
  • Basic formatting (if not already done) using MS Word’s Styles feature for chapters, headings, spacing, font style, indentation, and section breaks
  • Suggested edits and notes marked directly in manuscript with Word’s Track Changes
  • Editorial letter with general feedback and detailed summary of suggested edits
  • Style sheet creation with details of formatting, grammar, spelling, and punctuation decisions; MS-specific lists for words, places, and characters; notes for proofreader and layout designer
  • Detailed instructions for addressing/reviewing edits
  • Second review after author’s revisions, to implement approved edits and edit any new/revised text
  • Final document clean-up
Prerequisites: Your manuscript should be complete in structure, organization, and content. Ideally, it has been through a developmental edit (see above). I will need a sample from the beginning, middle, and end to determine whether you will need a light, medium, or heavy edit.
Estimated Time: 3 - 8 weeks, depending on length and needs of manuscript, and time for author's revisions.
Rate: $0.03 to $0.045 per word (determined based on your sample writing and scope of edit)


If you are interested in a Copy Edit, please CLICK HERE to schedule a free 30-Minute Copy Chat to tell me more about your project, preferred timeline, and publishing goals.

Client Testimonial: 

"I had sky-high expectations that my MS would not need much copyediting since I had scoured it and pored over it many times. Ha! I hired Lynn and quickly came to realize how essential a competent editor is. Her professionalism shined throughout the project. From her thorough bio I knew we'd be a perfect match and I'm thrilled with the results of her talented edits. This is my debut work and I would love to work with Lynn again. She hit the deadlines and was an absolute delight."
 —Colleen Burns Durda, author The Second: A Memoir of Love and Commitment

(Click here for more client comments about my Line & Copy Editing.) 

This is the final stage of the editorial process, the final set of eyes on your manuscript before it goes to print or to an agent or acquisitions editor. A proofread will check the document for consistency, typos, and mistakes in grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, design, style, and formatting (such as heading and typeface styles, pagination, photo captions, etc.).

If you are self-publishing, this is a very important step and one that many indie authors skip. Please do not skip this step! It can make all the difference in how your book is perceived and reviewed. For e-books, the proofreading can be done in the Word document, before converting to EPUB files, or you may want to have the proofreading done after file conversion to ensure the text and style display properly in the new format. For print books, you will want to have the proofreading done after the interior layout is designed and in PDF format.

For traditional publishing, you still want your manuscript to be clean and error-free before submitting to agents or acquisitions editors, who are inundated with new manuscripts every day (thousands per year!). This means they are looking for manuscripts that will be not only marketable but the least amount of work for them. This also means the proofreading will be done while still in Word format. Many publishers and agents have specific guidelines for manuscript submissions, so a proofread can also ensure your manuscript meets any formatting specifications.

Prerequisites: Ideally, your manuscript has been edited for content, including grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc.,  and your copy editor created a style sheet specific to your project. A style sheet facilitates the proofreading by making it faster and more accurate. If your copy editor did not provide a style sheet, that will be factored into your rate. I will also need to see a sample from the beginning, middle, and end of your manuscript.
Estimated Time: 1 - 3 weeks, depending on length of manuscript.
Rate: $0.01 to $0.02 per word (Determined based on previous editing, style sheet status, and word count.)


If you are interested in a Proofreading for your manuscript, please CLICK HERE to schedule a time to submit a Manuscript Proofreading Inquiry to provide details about your project, preferred timeline, and publishing goals.

Client Testimonials: 

"If you are seeking THE top-notch proofreader to polish your manuscript, you need to look no further than Lynn. She is so knowledgeable, responsive, and prompt. We have all read published books with errors. Don't let yours be one of them! Hire Lynn. You will be so glad you did. I will be happy to use her proofreading services again, and I have complete confidence in her."
 —Laurie Douglass, author The Uncommon Thread
"Lynn is so good at what she does--she caught things in my manuscript I never would have-- and she's very kind. She always responded quickly and answered all of my questions -- which were many, since I've never published a novel before. I really felt like she was on my team and wanting the best for my book. I highly recommend her!"
 —Christine Morse, author The Prancestor Project

  (Click here for more client comments about my Proofreading.) 


(fiction | nonfiction | memoir)


If you're planning to submit your manuscript to traditional publishers, you will need a query letter to send to prospective literary agents and/or acquisitions editors before submitting your full manuscript. For fiction (and sometimes memoir), you may also need a novel synopsis, and your manuscript should be complete and ready to send upon request. For nonfiction works, your manuscript does not have to be finished prior to soliciting representation; instead, you will use a book proposal as your sales pitch (with the exception of memoir, which is often sold on the strength of the writing). Below are the editorial services available for these essential documents. (If you're planning to self-publish, these are not necessary.*)

Query Letter Review | Novel Synopsis Review/Proof | Query + Synopsis Review/Proof | Book Proposal Review/Proof | Query + Proposal Review/Proof

Query Letter Review & Proofreading (Fiction or Nonfiction)

A query letter is a one-page document that is sent to an agent or acquisitions editor to entice them to read your manuscript, with the ultimate goal of getting a book deal with the publisher. A Query Letter Review will offer feedback on the efficacy of your content and check to ensure your document contains the required elements and adheres to proper formatting guidelines. The flat-rate fee includes a second review after any revisions made based on recommendations, a document clean-up after the second review, and a final proofreading to check for typos, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.

Prerequisites: I highly recommend reading this article for fiction and this article for nonfiction before writing or submitting a query letter for review (to me or to an agent/publisher).
Estimated Time: 3 - 10 days, or longer, depending on time and extent of author's revisions.
Rate: $129 (maximum 500 words)


If you are ready for a Query Letter Review, please CLICK HERE to schedule the project and submit your document.

Client Testimonial: 

"Lynn helped make my query letter and book proposal more professional and compelling. She also suggested finding another editor to work on my manuscript to make it the best it could be and then come back to update the query letter. Even after a few months of editing, Lynn was able to pick up right where we left off to do a second round of editing and proofreading. I feel much more confident in my work because of Lynn's suggestions and help."
 —Rowland G., memoir in-progress

(Click here for more client comments about my Query Letter Reviews.) 

Novel Synopsis Review & Proofreading (Fiction)

A synopsis is a one- to two-page document that summarizes the entire narrative arc of your story. Not all agents or publishers require them, but it's good to have one ready to go if it is requested after your query letter or if submissions requirements call for one. A Novel Synopsis Review will offer feedback on the efficacy of your content and check to ensure your document contains the required elements and adheres to proper formatting guidelines. The flat-rate fee includes a second review after any revisions made based on recommendations, a document clean-up after the second review, and a final proofreading to check for typos, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.

Prerequisites: I highly recommend reading this article before writing or submitting a synopsis for review (to me or to an agent/publisher).
Estimated Time: 5 - 14 days, or longer, depending on time and extent of author's revisions.
Rate: $259 (maximum 1000 words)


If you are ready for a Novel Synopsis Review, please CLICK HERE to schedule the project and submit your document.

Combo Query Letter + Synopsis Review & Proofreading (Fiction)

If you would like both a query letter and synopsis reviewed and proofed, I offer a discount when scheduling the two documents at the same time.

Prerequisites: Same as above for each document.
Estimated Time: 7 - 14 days, or longer, depending on time and extent of author's revisions.
Rate: $359 (maximum 1000 words)


If you are ready for a Combo Query Letter + Novel Synopsis Review, please CLICK HERE to schedule the project and submit your documents.

Book Proposal Review & Proofreading (Nonfiction)

A book proposal is the nonfiction version of the synopsis--the document used to "sell" your book idea to an agent or publisher. The content of a book proposal, however, is very different from a novel synopsis, and the document is much longer (10-25 pages or more) and requires research in order to discuss comp. titles, target audience, and your marketing plan. It will also include an author bio, an overview, an outline and/or table of contents, and sample chapters. A Book Proposal Review will offer feedback on the efficacy of your content and check to ensure your document contains the required elements and adheres to proper formatting guidelines. The edit also includes a second review after any revisions made based on recommendations, a document clean-up after the second review, and a final proofreading to check for typos, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. (Please note that the initial review will not apply to the sample chapters, only to the proposal content; proofreading may be applied to sample chapters upon request.)

Prerequisites: I highly recommend reading this article before writing or submitting a book proposal for review (to me or to an agent/publisher).
Estimated Time: 2 - 3 weeks, or longer, depending on length of document and time and extent of author's revisions.
Rate: Base rate of $350, plus $0.03 per word 


If you are interested in a Book Proposal Review, please CLICK HERE to schedule a time to submit a Book Proposal Inquiry to provide details about your document, preferred timeline, and publishing goals.

Combo Query Letter + Proposal Review & Proofreading (Nonfiction)

If you would like both a Query Letter and Book Proposal Review, I offer a discount when scheduling the two documents at the same time.

Prerequisites: Same as above for each document.
Estimated Time: 2 - 3 weeks, or longer, depending on time and extent of author's revisions.
Rate: Base rate of $439, plus $0.03 per words


If you are interested in a Combo Query Letter + Book Proposal Review, please CLICK HERE to schedule a time to submit a Query/Proposal Inquiry to provide details about your documents, preferred timeline, and publishing goals.

Shorter Writing Projects

(fiction | nonfiction)


Shorter projects can include anything other than a full-length book, such as a short story, essay, magazine article, op-ed, blog post, dissertation, or any other type of miscellaneous writing.

Developmental Edit

A developmental edit reviews the big-picture aspects of your document, such as structure, organization, voice, tone, and clarity. For fiction, it may also include narrative arc and character development. Suggestions for revision will be marked directly in the manuscript and will include a second review after author's changes.

Prerequisites: Completed document, either in Word or Google Docs.
Estimated Time: Depends on length of document and schedule availability
Rate: Base rate of $35, plus $0.04 to $0.08 per word


If you are interested in a Developmental Edit for your short/misc. writing project, please CLICK HERE to schedule a time to submit a Misc. Editing Inquiry to provide details about your project, preferred timeline, and editing needs.

Copy Edit

A copy edit reviews the mechanics of your text, checking every sentence and word to make sure your intended message comes across accurately to the reader. It also checks for proper grammar and punctuation and consistency with style, capitalization, spelling, formatting, and treatment of numbers. Sentences may be rewritten for better flow, to avoid redundancies, to ensure proper word usage and clarity, and for consistency with voice and tone. This is done following a specific style guide, such as Chicago Manual of Style, Associated Press Stylebook, AMA Manual of Style, or a house style guide, 
depending on the type of document and/or where the writing will be published.

Prerequisites: Completed document, either in Word or Google Docs.
Estimated Time: Depends on length of document and schedule availability
Rate: Base rate of $35, plus $0.02 to $0.04 per word


If you are interested in a Copy Edit for your short/misc. writing project, please CLICK HERE to schedule a time to submit a Misc. Editing Inquiry to provide details about your project, preferred timeline, and editing needs.

Proofreading

If you're looking for a final review to ensure your document is error-free, a proofreading will provide just that. If the content of your document has already been reviewed for voice, tone, clarity, and efficacy of the message, and a specific style has been applied, a proofreading will check the text for typos and mistakes in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. It will also check for accuracy and consistency with design, style, and formatting (such as heading and typeface styles, pagination, photo captions, etc.).

Prerequisites: Completed document, with content already edited.
Estimated Time: Depends on length of document and schedule availability
Rate: Base rate of $35, plus $0.01 to $0.02 per word


If you are interested in a Proofreading for your short/misc. writing project, please CLICK HERE to schedule a time to submit a Misc. Editing Inquiry to provide details about your project, preferred timeline, and editing needs.

 

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