Services

I specialize in contemporary romantic fiction (e.g., new adult, sports, mafia, romantic comedies, romantic suspense). I will work with you to meet your editing needs in a timely, thorough, and consistent manner. Your passion led you here; allow me to guide you beyond the proof.

Please check out some of the projects I’ve worked on.

How may I help you? Choose the service that fits your needs and budget.

Service Description Pricing in USD
Holistic Editing This well-rounded approach focuses on developmental (i.e., big picture) elements alongside line and copy editing, and also includes fact-checking, consistency review, plot hole identification, and detailed rewording suggestions to improve the manuscript’s readability while eliminating awkward/overused phasing and/or repetition of other details. $0.039/word
Alpha Reading Aiming to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the story within an early draft, this limited developmental edit focuses on:

  • Structure (pacing and flow)
  • Readability and tone (clarity in language and emotion)
  • World-building (themes, setting, timeline)
  • Plot details (consistency issues, fact-checking)
  • Character arcs
  • Balance of dialogue and points of view
  • Overall impressions
In addition to in-document comments, my feedback is also provided in an Alpha Read Report that contains a high-level assessment of the manuscript.
$0.015/word
Line (Stylistic) and
Copy Editing
Once the developmental issues have been largely resolved, this combined line and copy edit that’s completed in a subsequent stage includes:

  • Stylistic suggestions to improve the clarity and flow of prose (where potential issues in the narrative are either flagged for a follow-up or are addressed)
  • Review of mechanical elements to fix continuity and consistency within the manuscript
In line-by-line edit, attention is paid to:

  • Sentence/paragraph structure and flow
  • Awkward or confusing phrasing and word choice
  • Potentially harmful language
  • Repetitive words and/or phrases
  • Redundancies and transitions
  • Clichés, jargon, oxymorons, and metaphors
  • Passive voice and show vs. tell prose
Copy editing focuses on:

  • Spelling/typos
  • Missing or duplicate words
  • Capitalization and hyphenation
  • Punctuation and syntax
  • Grammar and use of tenses
  • Homophones and homonyms
  • Pagination and chapter numbering
  • Basic formatting (e.g., headings, paragraph indentation, extraneous spaces, deviation from style guide)
$0.030/word
Proofreading Final review (quality control) before publishing, catching lingering issues of:

  • Spelling/typos
  • Missing or duplicate words
  • Capitalization and hyphenation
  • Punctuation
  • Pagination and chapter numbering
  • Basic formatting (e.g., headings, paragraph indentation, extraneous spaces, deviation from style guide)
$0.020/word
Custom Services I can work to finalize your manuscript (copy editing and proofreading) or get more involved with structural and/or line edits. Regardless of the type of editing required, I’m prepared to work closely with you to help bring your story to the world, giving it the same care and attention as you would yourself. The amount of time the project may take will depend on the length of the manuscript and the depth of editing (or other services) needed. $40.00/hour
Beta Reading Feedback from the reader’s perspective, assessing:

  • Clarity and readability
  • Pacing and flow
  • Characters, settings, and plot details
  • Dialogue
  • Point of view
  • Consistency issues
  • Overall impression
I’ll point out lingering questions, assumptions, predictions, and experienced emotions. This is not a manuscript edit; these are personal reactions to the story in advance of finalizing and publishing.
$0.008/word
Book Mapping
(Story Structure)
Creating a reverse outline for the manuscript at the chapter and scene levels to examine what is and is not working. This is a great visual aid for the author that will show imbalances in represented points of view (between characters), as well as a means to assess the balance between the main story and subplots. Coming Soon
Series Bible
(Story Details Guide)
Ensure consistency throughout your series by creating and maintaining an adaptable document that grows as you publish your books by tracking:

  • Character descriptions
  • Place descriptions
  • Time references
  • World-building facts
Coming Soon

Note: Editing rates are based on a single pass of the manuscript and include up to one hour of aftercare (i.e., proofing of minor changes made because of queries from the initial read-through, and/or providing further clarity to my original feedback). Word count is determined by Microsoft Word’s word count feature and is based on the length of the document before editing begins.

Value-add Services

  • I am happy to complete a 1,500-word sample edit for potential new clients looking to ascertain the suitability of us working together. You will get a chance to see how I work—both in terms of my technical skills and how I approach editor–client relationships—before you commit to my services.
  • I will create and provide a Style Sheet—a summary of stylistic preferences and decisions made during the editing process which helps the editor to preserve consistency within the manuscript itself and across related ones, too. For the writer, a style sheet can help them understand why certain edits were made, and provide them with a guideline for grammar, spelling, capitalization, language preference and terms, formatting, and other elements that they can use during the revisions stage.

Invoicing & Payments

I will invoice for the project fees as per the following schedule:

  • 50% upon commencement of the project (e.g., receipt of the manuscript for editing). If the project includes multiple manuscripts, each will be invoiced separately. The first payment is due within 48 hours. (Please note: work will not commence until the payment is received.)
  • 50% upon delivery of the final product. Final payment is due within 10 days of receiving the edited manuscript or completed work files from me.

The preferred payment option is via electronic funds transfer (i.e., Interac e-Transfer) sent to an email address indicated on the invoice (Canadian clients only). If you are located outside of Canada, I accept international payments via Stripe at https://www.beyondtheproof.ca/makeapayment. I’m happy to discuss alternative payment methods if either of these options is not feasible.

Things you need to know to get started

  • Use the Contact page to get started. I’ll be happy to answer your questions and check my availability to complete your project.
  • When you’re ready to book, I will send you a copy of the Services Agreement, outlining the terms and conditions for your review and signature.
  • All manuscript submissions are preferred to be in MS Word format. I will use Track Changes and Comments within the document to provide edits and/or queries. You are free to accept or reject changes as you see fit. I’m happy to discuss alternative file format options if your manuscript is saved in something other than MS Word.
  • It’s important to note that any delays on your part in sending me the manuscript by the agreed-upon date may impact my ability to complete the project as scheduled. I will do my best to work around my other commitments, but I cannot guarantee that I will be able to complete editing work as per confirmed timelines in such situations. Thus, I ask that the manuscript be provided at least 24 hours before the agreed start date.
  • Last, but not least, you can feel assured that I will keep your personal information and all your materials safe and confidential! I will never disclose any details about your work, nor will I share your contact information with any third party outside of legally required circumstances. A non-disclosure agreement is included as a standard part of my commitment to services.

Ready to get started?