editorial services
Developmental Editing | Proofreading
“When you write a book, you spend day after day scanning and identifying the trees. When you’re done, you have to step back and look at the forest.”
Stephen King
Developmental Editing
Comprehensive feedback for authors determined to write their best novel.
Non-Judgemental Manuscript Critique
One of the hardest things about being a writer is, paradoxically, sharing our work with others. Hiring an editor can be intimidating. What if they hate it? What if my story isn't good enough?
Don't worry. As a self-published author I know how daunting it is to hand your hard work over for critique, so I want to make that easier for you.
Honouring Author Intentions
One of the reasons I became an editor is because I love to develop and workshop a piece of writing. I'm passionate about helping authors improve their skills and gain confidence in their work.
That's why I prioritise my author's intentions in my edits. My job is to help you succeed and I can't wait to read your brilliant ideas! You'll get the guidance you're looking for, plus plenty of expert support to help you realise your goals.
Get Publication Ready
Do you have a complete manuscript, written and revised to the best of your ability but you want expert insight and guidance before self-publishing or pitching to agents/publishers? Or are you struggling to finish your manuscript and want expert advice and suggestions for improvement? Then you need a developmental edit.
Developmental edits are all about critiquing the macro elements of your manuscript; the 'big picture' areas that determine how the content of story works as a whole. It's the process of stepping back with a fresh pair of eyes. I will provide insightful feedback on the strengths of your work and any areas you might want to improve. You will receive a hefty editorial report with detailed analysis of all the key story elements and suggestions for improvement – all of which are entirely up to you to choose how you refine your work thereafter.
What's Included?
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A detailed editorial report, outlining strengths and weaknesses with suggestions for improvement
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Insightful analysis of key story elements:
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premise
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plot
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scenes
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chapters
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hooks
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structure
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themes
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pacing
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conflict and stakes
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characterisation
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world building
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consistency
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tone
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point of view and tense
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genre and audience
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dialogue
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Specialised analysis on literary devices vital for the thriller, crime, suspense, mystery and paranormal genre:
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use of intrigue
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tension and suspense
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surprises, reversals and pay off
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red herrings and clues
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crossing thresholds
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unreliable narrators
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innovative plot twists
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A selection of helpful annotations on your manuscript, using Microsoft Word's Track Changes
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A list of useful resources and references, tailored to your story, to demonstrate my suggestions in action
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FREE access to my formatting and writing guides, to help you apply my feedback to your work
My Approach
I will never tell you how to write your novel. That's for you to decide. My job is to guide you and your work, with my expertise in creative writing and publishing entirely at your disposal.
Optional Extras
A small additional fee can be applied for further feedback on revisions made in view of my edit.
What's NOT Included?
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Rewrites or changes made direct to your manuscript
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Revisions or corrections made to micro elements:
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spelling
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grammar
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capitalisation
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punctuation
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syntax
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subject-verb agreement
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hyphenation errors
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dialogue punctuation
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The Important Stuff
How I Can Help
Proofreading
A final quality check for writers to ensure their copy is polished and perfected.
For Fiction & Non-Fiction Writers
If your book or short story has been thoroughly edited and you're happy with your work at both the content and sentence-level, I will be a fresh set of eyes to scan your work and complete a final tidy-up, catching any copy errors that may have slipped through before publication.
I Can Help With
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Books / Manuscripts
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Short Stories
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Flash Fiction
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Competition Entries
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Query Letters
For Businesses & Students
As a trained Editor and Proofreader, it's my job to spot those pesky errors that slip under the radar when we're busy trying to hit a deadline. But common mistakes with spelling, punctuation and grammar can diminish the effectiveness of your writing for your clients or projects. Details and deadlines are my toolkit, and with my help, you can be sure your documents will be returned to you clean, clear and ready for publication.
I Can Help With
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Newsletters
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Business reports and documents
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Magazine articles
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Blog posts
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Academic essays
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CVs and Cover Letters
What's Included?
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2 copies of your manuscript or document:
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1 clean, polished copy with all changes accepted
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1 polished copy with all insertions, adjustments or deletions made in Microsoft Word 'Track Changes' available for you to accept or reject
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Revisions or corrections made to micro elements, direct to your manuscript or document:
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spelling errors
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grammar errors
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capitalisation errors
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punctuation errors
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hyphenation errors
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syntax
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subject-verb agreement
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dialogue punctuation
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accurate referencing
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consistent formatting
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The Important Stuff
*Please note all delivery times are calculated per word count or project and will be confirmed
in writing before work commences. See FAQ for more details.
Writing Webinars
Interested in a FREE Writing Workshop?
In light of the pandemic this year, it's been infinitely more difficult for me to write. I miss the community of a writing workshop; having someone to bounce ideas off and hold me accountable to getting things done.
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As much as we're all sick of video calls, they remain one of the best (and safest) ways to get us writers out of our candle-lit caverns and back to talking to people. And showering. So, how about we give it a go?
How It Works
I'll be hosting the sessions live on Google Meet, once a week at 7pm GMT. When you sign up you'll receive an invitation to join the session. I'll provide a downloadable PowerPoint and any other useful documents, plus time for us all to have a good ol' chinwag about that chapter we still haven't finished.
What's Included?
Writing prompts and exercises (including music, images and scenarios).
Opportunities to share your work and get useful feedback.
Time to socialise and network with other writers.
Writers of all genres and formats welcome!
