Book Editing & Writing Support
“Writing is easy. All you have to do is cross out the wrong words.” —Mark Twain
“Anyone who says writing is easy isn’t doing it right.”—Amy Tan
It’s been said that behind every good writer is a great editor. There’s truth to the saying. Editors do play a key role behind the scenes, an invisible support role that’s sometimes unacknowledged. Editors even help to shape the careers of authors. Of course, some professionals are so experienced that they don’t need an editor. And yet there comes a time when most authors will feel the need for feedback, especially when you’re writing a book for the first time. Regardless of your writing experience, every author benefits from having an expert look at their manuscript. It’s an important step in the journey and a show of commitment to the success of your book. At the very least, an editor can help you to identify blind spots and clear up flaws that would spoil the pleasure of reading your book and hurt your credibility as an author.
Handing over your “baby” to an editor can feel intimidating, whether it’s your first or your fifth book. New authors often fear that the editor will alter their voice and destroy the spirit and message of their work. Unfortunately, this does happen sometimes. A good editor, however, will honor the integrity of you and your work. If we do our job right, the reader won’t notice our presence in your book at all. True professionals are careful to bring out your ideas in your own words and support your own creative process. My personal credo as a book doctor is: “Do no harm” (after the Hippocratic Oath), and beyond that, to listen to what you and your book guide me to do—much like a holistic practitioner. Whether you’re writing a novel, a memoir, or a self-development book, my intention is to get your book narrative to flow smoothly as a whole and to express your ideas in a way that will resonate with your readers. Above all, you want people to take something meaningful from the experience of reading your book.
The key to a successful author-editor partnership is clear communication and trust. Working together on rounds of drafts gives us the opportunity to get acquainted while making discoveries about how to improve your book. It’s a mutual learning process, and I encourage authors to stretch and grow as writers as the journey unfolds.
Description of Editing Levels
Manuscript Evaluation
Basic Assessment. Before starting editorial work on a manuscript, I read it through and write a review with basic suggestions for revision. This service is available for clients independently of signing a contract with me to work on a full-scale book revision.
Comprehensive Assessment. For authors who want a more complete manuscript assessment, I offer a comprehensive line-by-line review with detailed analysis of strengths and weaknesses and recommendations for revision.
Proofreading (extra-light editing)
Proofreading (orig. from the printer’s “proof” or trial printing of pages used for making corrections before the final printing) is the final step an editor performs to prepare a book manuscript for typesetting and production. The proofreader corrects minor issues such as typos, misspelled words, and incorrect punctuation. In traditional publishing houses, an in-house editor will take care of the final proofreading. Authors that self-publish will be responsible for hiring a freelance proofreader.
Copyediting (light to medium-level line editing)
Straightforward editorial cleanup to eliminate basic grammar flaws, sharpen word choices, and clear up any inconsistencies in style or format to assure that your book content reads clearly and smoothly. This service is designed for authors with a completed book manuscript. Copyediting does not touch on big picture content, treat structural problems, or make refinements in style.
Substantive Editing (heavy line editing)
Detailed line-by-line editing with extensive comments and author queries. Recommended for manuscripts that require major revision to clarify and enhance content. This level of editing (unlike copyediting) provides additional support by resolving internal structural issues, such as discontinuity due to transposed material or missing transitions. At the author’s request, I write transitional elements and develop content where needed, and make refinements in style to improve the overall flow of the book.
Developmental Editing
Conceptual and structural development of a book manuscript: the big picture. Recommended for authors who want support in developing a new book project as well as authors who want to significantly transform a book manuscript. This level of editing starts at the ground level with preliminary work in clarifying the author’s book concept in relation to message, vision, and audience. As a developmental editor, I also help authors to structure the book content to achieve the greatest effect. I can help authors with substantive-level issues as the draft progresses, such as sharpening focus by clearing up ambiguity and making adjustments to bring the book as a whole into balance.
Ghostwriting/Co-Writing
Professionals of all kinds, from inspirational speakers, life coaches, and counselors to CEO’s – even bestselling novelists, hire ghostwriters to help write their books. As a ghostwriter, I can step in to write parts of a book for an author or write the entire book from notes and recorded interview material. When I collaborate with authors, my ghostwritten/revised content is designed to match the author’s voice and style so that it blends in seamlessly.
Free 30-Minute Author Consultation
Contact me for a 30-minute consultation, free of charge, to discuss a book project and explore our potential for a successful author-editor partnership.
Author Questionnaire
Please complete this online author questionnaire after you schedule a consultation.