Services
Seattle Editing's services include coaching, developmental editing, manuscript critique, copy editing, line editing, and proofreading. Send me a sample of your manuscript, along with the word count and your publication goals and deadline, and I will provide you with a free sample edit and an estimate based on the type of editing you need, as well as the total number of hours needed to complete the job.
Not sure which type of editing you need? After I’ve read your sample, I’d be happy to suggest a couple of options. I’d also be glad to discuss those options over the phone (206-784-7070) or via email ([email protected]).
Coaching
Sometimes writers need help with some aspect of the writing project. Fiction writers tend to struggle with plot structure, point of view, pacing, or character development. Nonfiction writers often ask for help with focus, development, fact-checking, documentation, and structure. Some writers come to me for a refresher course in paragraph construction or grammar basics.
Coaching usually takes place through email, Skype, Zoom, or phone.
Developmental Editing (aka “big picture” editing)
If you’ve completed a rough draft of your book, but haven’t figured out how to revise it, then developmental editing may be what you need. A developmental editor analyzes and evaluates a manuscript and suggests additions, deletions, and revisions. Generally, a developmental editor’s goal, particularly when working in nonfiction, is to make sure the manuscript is
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- well-organized
- appropriate in tone, style, and format for its audience
- clear and articulate
- consistent in its approach
When you opt for a dev edit, we will read your manuscript carefully, paying careful attention to how well the parts connect to the overall theme or focus. You will receive a multi-page critique letter that details the manuscript's strengths and weaknesses and suggests ways to fix any problems, a follow-up phone call (with Skype and email options), and three hours of coaching as you revise.
If the developmental edit is for a work of fiction, the critique letter addresses genre, readers, plot structure, subplots, pacing, setting, character development, dialogue, narrative style, voice, and point of view.
For nonfiction the critique letter examines focus, organization, logical flow, clarity, voice, style, and diction.
For both fiction and nonfiction, I also address the quality of writing, sentence structure and length, and any recurring grammar problems that should be addressed.
Manuscript Critique
Submit your manuscript and receive a four- to six-page critique letter, sans coaching hours.
Copy Editing: Heavy Versus Light
Copy editing usually requires a couple of passes. Heavy editing addresses chapter, paragraph, and sentence-level organization, and points out places where more development or clarification may be needed. It may involve fact-checking as well. Light editing identifies the following problems in track changes:
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- redundancies & inconsistencies
- inaccuracies (such as wrong dates)
- wordiness, inappropriate jargon, clichés
- weak sentence style
- inappropriate or inconsistent tone
- lack of transitions and signposts
- problematic word choice
- tense shifts or wrong use of tense
- grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation
Line Editing
Line editing focuses on improving the sound and style of the writing. It is not a grammar check, though I will point out errors where I see them. The goal is to improve overall quality by addressing areas where the writing is unclear, wordy, lacking transitions or signposts, choppy, and generally not up to the desired standard.
Proofreading
If the manuscript has already been edited and revised, it may only need a once-over to eliminate any remaining errors, inconsistencies, ambiguities, gaps, lack of coherence, or formatting issues. This level of profreading also checks for proper sequencing, accurate cross-references and documentation, and consistency in spelling, punctuation, fonts, and capitalization.
Express Proofreading
Express proofreading has the fastest turn-around. Manuscripts that have been carefully copyedited and contain only mechanical errors (spelling, punctuation, typos, formatting) qualify for an express edit.
