Any writer knows that a first draft is just that: a draft. It’s not a finished product, not yet. And before you ship it off to prospective literary agents, you want to make sure it’s the best darn novel it can possibly be.

However: writing is an intensely personal process. It’s hard to be objective, to critically evaluate what’s working and what’s not. After you’ve spent so long on a story, invested so much time and effort, the LAST thing you want to do is go through it all again looking for the weak spots.

This is where an editor comes in.

Editing, like writing, is a process. A manuscript may go through several rounds of editing before it’s ready for an agent’s eyes. That’s why you want to make sure your editor is someone you’re comfortable working with, potentially for an extended period of time. They should be honest and clear, telling you not only what’s wrong, but WHY it’s wrong. They should be constructive, giving actionable advice on precisely how to get the story where it needs to be.

What Kind Of Editing Do I Need?

There are many different kinds of editing, and for a first-time writer, the terminology can be a little overwhelming. Here are a few words you might hear thrown around:

Editorial Assessment: This of this as a big-picture overview. It’ll cover plot, character, and should give you a good idea of whether you’ve got a marketable story on your hands, or if it’s time to go back to the drawing board.

Developmental Editing: This is going to be a much deeper dive than an assessment. If you’re fairly confident your story’s solid, but you want some in-depth feedback on theme, pacing, style, structure, and character, this is what you need.

Line Editing: This is just what it sounds like, and it’s usually the final step before submitting to an agent or preparing to self-publish. Your editor will go through the story, line by line, and carefully polish each and every sentence. Ideally, you’ll have been through a developmental edit already, so the editor will know your voice and be able to successfully maintain it as they suggest tiny rearrangements, swapping words, or small cuts of redundant material.

What About Genre?

Some editors are comfortable working with a wide array of genres, but many are specialists. As an example, I primarily edit surrealist fiction, fantasy, magical realism, science fiction, with a smattering of romance. If you write horror, then I’m unlikely to be a good fit for you as an editor, because it’s a genre I’m less familiar with. Be sure to ask your editor about their specialties, but also, don’t be surprised if they tell you they’ve done “a little bit of everything” (because the truth is, many freelance editors HAVE done a bit of everything).

How Much Is This Going To Cost?

If you’re curious about my rates, for assessment, developmental, or line editing, you can find them right here.

When Can You Edit My Story?

Generally, I tend to book up several months in advance–it does take time to read a story, after all! Be prepared to wait up to four, even five months for an opening (if your editor is in high demand, you can absolutely expect a bit of a waiting list).

If you think you’d like to work with me, please feel free to send me a message via my Reedsy Profile! I can let you know my current availability and provide additional details, as well as a sample of my work.