Fiction Editing

Closed to new clients at this time

My own projects are keeping me quite busy at the moment, so I am temporarily closed to new fiction editing work. However my writing and editing online courses are still live and available to you, including my popular “Novel Editing Bootcamp” and “Mining Your Life for Memoir or Fiction.”

KS Writing - Books, Editing, Speaking & Communication PresentationsJust finished your book, but you don’t know if it is as brilliant as it could be? Wishing another pair of eyes could review your manuscript before you send it off to the literary agents in New York? Preparing to self-publish, but you want a professional editorial review before you take the big plunge? Aiming for a small press, and you know your novel needs to stand out amid so many other submissions?

Whether you are nervous about your story structure, your pacing, your characters, your dialogue, your word choice, your comma usage, or simply making sure each page is as polished and professional as possible, I can help.

50-page edits  |  100-page edits  |  full manuscript edits

K.S. Writing clients have gained literary agents, landed major publishing deals, won awards, and hit Amazon bestseller lists.

I specialize in “book club” fiction, women’s fiction, historical fiction, thrillers, mysteries, romance, and suspense, as well as YA (young adult) and middle grade novels. In addition, I offer wordsmithing and ghostwriting services.

Fiction Editing Levels:

Manuscript Critiques / Developmental Edits (Story Edits)

Are the characters fleshed out and distinctive? Does the story begin where it should? Is a clear narrative drive present? Is the plot structured successfully? Is the point of view effective? Long before copyediting or line editing, before the final proof, projects can greatly benefit from the perspective of an unbiased reader—better yet when that unbiased reader is a professional editor. My meticulous Manuscript Critiques, also known as “Developmental Edits” or “Story Edits,” produce a 10+ page analysis of your book, breaking down what is done well and what could be better, complete with a how-to guide to bring your manuscript to the next level.

Substantive Editing (the Macro-/Micro-edit mix)

This heavy editing process is designed for a writer who isn’t looking for a developmental edit but who wants significantly more than a copyedit or proofread. A substantive edit involves an examination of clarity, logic, structure, and pacing, as well as plot, character, and setting development. But it also delves deep line-by-line, recording notes on word usage, tone, style, voice, and total writing strength. Commentary will be given on a page by page basis, and a multi-page project critique will also be included.

The Language-Elevation Copyedit (getting down to details)

This medium-level editing process is designed for a writer who isn’t looking for a developmental edit but who wants slightly more than a line edit or final proofread. Lazy language and wordy lines will be challenged, and word/phrase repetition will be noted. My Language-Elevation Copyedit delves deep line-by-line, recording notes on word usage, tone, style, voice, and total writing strength, as well as grammar and punctuation correction. Commentary will be given on a page by page basis, and a multi-page project critique will also be included, noting any final plot, character, pacing, or other overall loose ends the author still might want to consider.

Fiction Editing Prices:

$95/hour

What does this actually mean for your project? Editing prices vary depending on manuscript length and editing level, among other factors. A specific estimate for your manuscript can be provided upon request. Discounts are available for students, teachers, non-profit employees, military personnel, members of James River Writers, and return clients.

Contact me today for specifics, and let me know when you’re ready to get started!