Frequently Asked Questions

Pricing

  • Prices are based on the Editorial Freelancers Association's (EFA) 2026 Rate Chart for fiction. The exact rate within that range depends on manuscript complexity, which I assess during your sample edit or our discovery call. Factors include prose-level cleanliness, structural consistency, and worldbuilding density (invented terminology, magic systems, constructed languages, and other complexities).

  • After your free sample edit (for line or copy editing) or our discovery call (for developmental editing or manuscript evaluation), I'll evaluate the manuscript as a whole and give you an exact rate before any contract is signed. Nothing is billed until you agree to that rate.

  • By the word. This keeps costs predictable for you — you'll know the total investment before we begin, rather than an open-ended hourly estimate.

  • My payments go through PayPal.

    I do a 50% nonrefundable deposit to book a spot on my editorial calendar. Once it’s booked, the time is yours!

    After the edit, I will issue a second invoice with the remaining 50% payment.

Process

  • Both address big-picture storytelling—plot, character, worldbuilding, pacing, theme—rather than sentence-level issues. A manuscript evaluation is a broader, less granular pass and a more economical option. It includes a report reviewing the manuscript’s structure and storytelling. A developmental edit is the most comprehensive, scene-by-scene review available. It includes in-margin comments throughout the manuscript along with a thorough report.

    If you're not sure which you need, that's exactly what the discovery call is for.

  • Typically: developmental edit or manuscript evaluation first (addressing large-scale story issues), then line editing, then copy editing, then proofreading last. Doing them in this order means you're not paying to polish sentences that later get cut in a structural revision.

    That said, it's not expected that you'll pay for every service. Editing is a real investment, and most authors can only afford one or two rounds. If that's you, it's worth thinking about which edit would benefit your manuscript most—a strong story with sentence-level roughness usually serves readers better than polished prose built on a shaky foundation, but only you know where your manuscript actually needs the most help. I'm happy to talk through that with you on a discovery call if you're not sure.

  • Yes. For line and copy editing, submit a 1,000-word sample through the Request Edit form and I'll edit it for free—no obligation. This lets you see my editing style and decide if we're a good creative fit before committing.

    If you’re interested in a developmental edit or manuscript evaluation, we’ll discuss your story over video conference. We’ll dig into the issues you’re seeing and review your publishing goals. As the focus is big picture, a word-by-word sample edit won’t be performed, though I may give storytelling feedback during our conversation.

  • For developmental editing: a full editorial letter, manuscript with in-line comments, and a one-hour post-edit meeting to talk through questions.

    For a manuscript evaluation: an editorial letter reviewing the story and a one-hour post-edit meeting to talk through questions.

    For line editing: a manuscript marked up in Word track changes and an editorial letter reviewing artistic elements of the story.

    For copy editing: a manuscript marked up in Word track changes and a style sheet recording your story's details and editing choices. Unfamiliar with style sheets? Read about them here.

    1. You fill out the Request Edit form.

      If you don’t know what type of edit you need, that’s perfectly okay! Fill it out anyway.

      For a line or copy edit include a 1,000-word sample. Otherwise, wait for me to reach out to you.

    2. I will contact you with the details.

      If you’re interested in a line or copy edit, I will attach the edited sample for your review. I will provide you with an exact rate and possible date ranges for an edit.

      If you’re interested in a developmental edit or manuscript evaluation, I’ll reach out to you about setting up a video conference (or we can go back and forth via email, if you prefer). After we’ve talked about your needs and goals, I may request to briefly review the full manuscript. I will then provide an exact rate and possible date ranges for an edit.

    3. You sign the contract and pay the booking fee.

      If the rate and timeframe works for you, and you’ve decided we’re a good fit, let me know that you’re ready to proceed. I’ll send you a contract to review and sign. I do a 50% nonrefundable booking deposit to reserve your spot on my editing calendar. I may also send you a detailed questionnaire with more questions about your story and your goals for the edit.

      Once the contract is signed and deposit received, you’re on the calendar! We’re a go! The contract will specify the date that the final version of the manuscript should be submitted to me—usually the day before the editing window.

    4. I do the edit. You sit back and relax.

      I’ll keep you in the loop from the beginning, touching base prior to starting and periodically throughout.

      When the edit is finished, I will email it to you with the agreed-upon deliverables. Please take a week to review and get back to me with any required corrections.

      If this is a developmental edit or manuscript evaluation, I will offer possible dates for a one-week, follow-up video conference call. I’m happy to work with your schedule.

      I will send the final invoice one week after the edit (or follow-up video chat). The final invoice includes the remaining 50% of the agreed-upon price.

    5. Reach out for any reason!

      You’re one of my authors—and I love hearing from you! Let me know how your book is doing. Reach out for resources or suggestions. I’m here to help! I’m rooting for you, and I’m always happy to support you in any way possible. I’m still part of your publishing team, even after the edit has completed.

Working Together

  • No. I do not use AI to edit. When you hire me, you're working with a human editor who brings emotional intelligence and lived experience to your manuscript.

    This guarantee is included in my contract.

  • Generally, no—I don't accept manuscripts substantially written by generative AI. That said, this isn't a hard line so much as a conversation: the amount and kind of AI use varies a lot, and I'd rather talk it through with you than guess.

    As part of my process, I ask authors to disclose their use of generative AI in writing the manuscript, and this is addressed in the contract. Just as I guarantee I won't use AI in my editing, I ask for the same honesty in return. If you're unsure whether this applies to your project, bring it up during our discovery call or sample edit. Feel free to send me a message through the Contact form.

  • No. My goal is to collaborate alongside you, not tell you what to do. You're the writer—it's your story, and you make the final call on every suggestion.

  • Yes, I specialize in speculative fiction specifically because I understand the genre's unique demands—worldbuilding, magic systems, invented terminology, and genre expectations that a generalist editor might not catch.

    For that reason, I dedicate my time exclusively to sci-fi and fantasy manuscripts. If your manuscript is not speculative fiction, I recommend finding a reputable and professional editor through the EFA. There are many talented editors who can provide expertise in your genre.

Other Questions

  • Feel free to reach out to me through my Contact form. I’m happy to help!