Frequently Asked Questions

Editing comes in all shapes and sizes! These are the most common types:

Edit assessment: this is the big picture editing (AKA my favorite type!), looking at all aspects of the work, including plot, pacing, structure/narrative, characterization, world-building, page queries, and more. 

Line-editing: line-by-line edits at the sentence level to make the prose sing.

Developmental edits include everything in an edit assessment plus line-editing.

Copyediting: this is what most people think of as editing, aka dotting the Is and crossing the Ts.  Copyeditors check grammar and punctuation, as well as make sure the moon phases are correct, the heroine hasn't inadvertently changed her hair color, and so on.

Proofreading & cold reads:  going over typeset pages for typographical errors (n.b., no matter how many people look at a ms. there will always be a rogue typo or two in the final book, alas!). Cold reads are a fresh proofread after the first proofread.

I specialize in edit assessments and developmental edits--I'm known for big picture edits and helping authors shape the overall stories and worlds they create.  

I do some proofreading, copyedits, and cold reads for publishing & select individual clients (primarily existing clients).  I do partial edits and query letter reviews on a select basis. 

If you're a newer author/writer, I will be the most helpful to you on the big picture scale or with query letters versus full developmental edits. =) 

If you are a highly literary writer (AKA Farrar, Straus & Giroux is your wheelhouse), mad respect, but I am not your gal—there are other editors who will be more suited to your work.  

• A detailed and thoughtful edit letter with notes and suggestions for the overall story that respects your vision and story, and line-edits on a select number of early pages so you see what I am seeing on the sentence level. 
• An honest edit that is fair and kind, but will point out any issues and problems as I see them.  
• Annotated queries on the manuscript itself as appropriate.
• Line-edits for the entire manuscript for developmental edits.
• Answers to follow-up questions and queries once you've had the chance to review the edit letter.

Every story is different, so my rates are tailored to your manuscript, factoring in the length, amount and type of work needed, the timeframe, etc. It's best to send me a query with information and sample chapters so I can give you an informed estimate.  

I usually schedule 4-6 months out, and require a nonrefundable deposit to reserve an editing slot that is separete from the fee for the edit. (Occasionally I do have extra/last-minute slots, so feel free to ask, but in general slots are at least 3+ months out). For general editorial rates across the industry, see https://www.the-efa.org/rates/

No, I do not! All of my edits and notes are based on my years of experience and knowledge of what will help you improve your work. (I mean, just look at the grammar suggestions in Word...) Rest assured I will not use AI to edit your work nor will I upload anything to ChapGPT or such services. 

My job as an editor is to make your book the best it can possibly be, but this is a dialogue, not a fiat, so my role is to suggest and guide, not insist. If I feel I'm not the right editor for your project, or it's an area I do not handle, I am very happy to recommend other editors whose work I know and respect. 

You will get the most out of your edits when your work is finished and as polished and perfect as you can make it versus right after you finish the first draft. Once your eyes are crossing, then you can work with an editor to take it even further. =)

I am delighted to work with marginalized voices, and reserve the right to turn down projects that promote hate or discrimination in any way. 

Both (but first,  coffee). Either/both. Cats. J-hope (and Suga as bias-wrecker, especially after D-Day). Weird.