Beta Reading
Expect 2-3 pages of comments on the manuscript’s strengths and any questions that arose
If your manuscript is complete (or you think it might be complete), but you’re not ready for a full edit yet, a beta read will give you a fresh set of eyes and a direction to work in next. I won’t tell you how I think any problems should be fixed, instead I will give you my impressions of characters, plot arc, and style. This offers honest feedback from a reader’s perspective, answering any questions you have about my experience of reading your manuscript while providing my own specific observations.
Expect a thoroughly annotated manuscript, 10-15 pages of comments and specific suggestions, and a one-hour video discussion to talk through the feedback and any of your questions
Developmental Editing
When you’ve brought your manuscript to a place where it feels complete, but you know there is still room for improvements, I read your manuscript, focusing on content and structure, to offer a close analysis on the efficacy of storytelling elements such as narrative distance, character development, and plot. Rather than focusing on details of grammar or spelling, a developmental edit focuses closely on the larger building blocks of your story and the specific choices on the page where these blocks are built.
Line Editing
Expect a thoroughly annotated manuscript including suggested language edits; a style guide specifically created for the manuscript; 2-3 pages of feedback, summarizing comments and describing any notable patterns
I identify gaps in logic or flow, suggest revisions for clarity and concision, ensure consistency of mechanics and tone, and correct mistakes in spelling, grammar, syntax, or usage. I note places where spelling differs (such as for character or place names) or where formatting changes (such as with formatting for numbers, in the use of quotation marks, etc.) Although I offer suggestions for adjusting awkward or confusing sentence structures, replacing ineffective language, and eliminating redundancies, my first priority is respecting and maintaining your piece’s original tone and style.
Proofreading
Expect a thoroughly annotated manuscript including suggested language edits and a style guide specifically created for the manuscript
Whether the next step for your completed manuscript is querying agents or self-publishing, a final edit ensures there are no blemishes in your final product. As a proofreader I’m concerned with giving your manuscript a final polish to correct any surface flaws such as grammatical, typographical, formatting or spelling errors.