Fiction editing

Your story matters

You’ve invested immense time and energy into carefully crafting your story.
But even observant writers need professional editing before publishing.
Your project deserves the extra love and care.

“I feel that Jessica respected every word I wrote and gave me the option of accepting or disregarding her edits. I am very impressed by the thoroughness of the editing and the feedback given.”

CHAD BUNCH
Apotheosis

Specialties

  • Two silhouettes embracing against a nighttime sky. Photo by Dilan Nagi.

    Romance

  • A faceless person scrolls on a phone with a coffee mug nearby. Photo by Daiga Ellaby.

    Women's Fiction

  • POV from a deck by a small wooden boat. Across the water is a castle. Photo by Artem Sapegin.

    Fantasy

“Everything was extremely helpful. I’m over the moon.”

JESSICA KNAPP
The Kind of Love

Fiction editing

Offerings

Click to expand each section.

Line editing

  • Line editing focuses on how style and language choices affect the overall reading experience. Its focus is on how a work is written rather than grammar and mechanics. It’s especially helpful for writers looking to strengthen their craft and streamline their prose. Even grammatically impeccable writing can benefit from a line edit!

    In two thorough rounds of editing, we’ll improve your work’s clarity, effectiveness, and readability. You’ll have the chance to accept (or decline) my edits and ask for clarification before deciding.

    My responsibilities:

    • improve paragraph- and sentence-level organization, flow, pacing, and rhythm

    • address inconsistencies in plot, character, timeline, and point of view

    • suggest edits that amplify your writing voice and story

    • offer simpler or clearer wording in spots that might “trip” your reader

    • remove distancing language and revise wording as needed

    • fine-tune dialogue and dialogue tags with your characters in mind

    • flag unintentionally harmful or stigmatizing language and suggest alternatives

    • flag any glaring errors I notice (please note, though, that copyediting is a separate offering)

    • point out moments I think readers will find particularly strong, emotional, funny, heartwarming, tense, or interesting

    • ask clarifying questions to make sure my edits support your vision

  • You’ll leave Cozy Cottage with a virtual knapsack of these files:

    • a welcome packet

    • your preference form

    • our service agreement

    • your original manuscript

    • the first-round edit with comments, questions, and tracked changes in Word

    • an in-depth editorial report

    • a style sheet recording all editorial decisions, characters, settings, and important terms

    • tips for tending to your emotions and nervous system while you process feedback and answer queries

    • the second-round edit with tracked changes

    • a clean copy of this second version

    • tips for continuing your writing journey

    You’ll also get support from me during and after the editing process.

  • $25 for every 1,000 words

    Returning clients get 20% off

Click to expand each section.

Copyediting(substantial)

  • This comprehensive and meticulous copyedit is best for fiction that requires extra attention due to its complexity, detail, or style.

    In two thorough rounds of editing, we’ll iron out inconsistencies and errors to keep readers immersed in your story without distraction. You’ll have the chance to accept (or decline) my edits and ask for clarification before deciding.

    My responsibilities:

    • fix errors in grammar, usage, punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and numbering

    • suggest simpler or clearer wording in spots that might “trip” your reader

    • standardize style and formatting in the main text, front matter, back matter, headers, footers, and page numbers

    • remove distancing language and adjust wording as needed

    • fine-tune dialogue and dialogue tags with your characters in mind

    • flag unintentionally harmful or stigmatizing language and suggest alternatives

    • flag content that needs copyright permission

    • check the accuracy of real-world details mentioned in the text

    • point out moments I think readers will find particularly strong, emotional, funny, heartwarming, tense, interesting, and so on

    • ask clarifying questions to make sure my edits support your vision

    • record all pertinent information and style choices in a style sheet

    • write two editorial letters about your work’s strengths and patterns and my suggestions

  • You’ll leave Cozy Cottage with a virtual knapsack of these files:

    • a welcome packet

    • your preferences form

    • our service agreement

    • your original manuscript

    • the first-round edit with comments, questions, and tracked changes in Word

    • an in-depth editorial letter about your work

    • a style sheet recording all editorial decisions, characters, settings, important terms, and preferred spellings

    • tips for tending to your emotions and nervous system while you process feedback and answer queries

    • the second-round edit with tracked changes

    • a clean copy of this second version

    • tips for continuing your writing journey

    You’ll also get support from me during and after the editing process.

  • • $20 for every 1,000 words

    • Returning clients get 20% off

Click to expand each section.

Copyediting(light)

  • This option provides lighter copyediting at a reduced cost. It’s best for drafts that have already been revised and self-edited several times.

    In two rounds of editing, we’ll focus on the essentials to keep readers immersed in your story without distraction.

    My responsibilities:

    • fix errors in grammar, usage, punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and numbering using Chicago style guidelines

    • standardize style and formatting in the main text (also Chicago)

    • fine-tune dialogue and dialogue tags with your characters in mind

    • flag distancing language and offer ways to address it

    • flag unintentionally harmful or stigmatizing language and suggest alternatives

    • flag content that may need copyright permission

    • point out moments I think readers will find particularly strong, emotional, funny, heartwarming, tense, or interesting

    • ask clarifying questions to make sure my edits support your vision

    • record all pertinent information and style choices in a style sheet

    • write an editorial letter about your work’s strengths and areas for improvement

  • You’ll leave Cozy Cottage with a virtual knapsack of these files:

    • a welcome packet

    • your preference form

    • our service agreement

    • your original manuscript

    • the first-round edit with comments, questions, and tracked changes in Word

    • an editorial letter about your work

    • a style sheet with all editorial decisions, characters, settings, important terms, and preferred spellings

    • tips for tending to your emotions and nervous system while you process feedback and answer queries

    • the second-round edit with tracked changes

    • a clean copy of this second version

    • tips for continuing your writing journey

    You’ll also get support from me during and after the editing process.

  • • $15 for every 1,000 words

    • Returning clients get 20% off

Click to expand each section.

Proofreading

  • Proofreading comes after your manuscript has been thoroughly edited and only minor errors remain. Ideally the manuscript is also formatted and in its final layout at this point.

    I’ll carefully review your manuscript to fix or note the following issues:

    • grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and numbering errors

    • minor formatting inconsistencies

    • errors in front matter, back matter, headers, footers, and page numbers

    • problems with page or section breaks

  • You’ll leave Cozy Cottage with a virtual knapsack of these files:

    • a welcome packet

    • your preference form

    • our service agreement

    • the proofread file with tracked changes

    • a brief editorial letter

    • an updated style sheet

    You’ll also get support from me during and after the proofreading process.

  • • $10 for every 1,000 words

    • Only for manuscripts that have been professionally edited

    • Returning clients get 20% off

Click to expand each section.

Beta reading

  • Beta reading is the best option for writers seeking early feedback from an informed reader before the editing stage. I won’t be making any changes to the text or offering solutions. I am more a reader than an editor at this point.

    My responsibilities:

    • read through your working draft

    • describe as I go how I experience the story, characters, transitions, pacing, and style

    • note how the story meets or defies genre expectations

    • ask questions when I’m confused or simply curious

    • keep an eye out for any issues you’re concerned about

    • write a letter to you summarizing my reading experience

  • You’ll leave Cozy Cottage with a virtual knapsack of these files:

    • a welcome packet

    • your preference form

    • our service agreement

    • marginal comments tracking my reading experience

    • a summary letter

    • tips for tending to your emotions and nervous system while you wait

    • resources for continuing your writing journey

    You’ll also get support from me during and after the job.

  • • $2 for every 1,000 words

    • Returning clients get 20% off

“Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for your feedback and your notes. Your letter absolutely made me dance for joy. I can’t tell you how much it means to have a professional editor praise Emmeline.”

LEILA A. M. MARTIN
Emmeline Harper, Psychopomp

Request a free sample edit

If you’re like me, you prefer to test the waters before committing. I offer a free sample edit of 500 words.

No strings. No pressure.

“I’m absolutely delighted by her work and can’t wait to book her again.”

BELINDA KROLL
An Inconvenient Séance