Editing - Fiction

Do you need someone to quickly glance over a report, essay, article, manuscript, etc. and give it a spot polish? Maybe you have a more in-depth clean up in mind? I will read through what you have and make suggestions of how to improve it.

A passion of mine is to work with authors to improve their writing. I've been a judge for a writing contest the last few years and have thoroughly enjoyed the process that has involved critique and feedback.

I offer both line editing and substantive editing.

Line Editing: This involves correcting spelling, punctuation and grammar. I will also look for  format inconsistencies. For example, if the first four chapter headings are bolded, the fifth should be too. I’ll point out continuity errors, where the protagonist lives at 220B in one chapter and 221B in the next. I’ll raise questions when the text is confusing or ambiguous. My aim is to bring out your unique voice while ensuring clean, professional copy.

• Rates will normally be .7 cents per word, or $700 for a 100,000-word novel.

Substantive editing. I’ll give an honest assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the novel with suggestions for how to improve. I’ll look at the power of the writing, the vividness of the description, the punch of the action. I’ll comment on characterization. Plot is a strength of mine; I can tell you when your dramatic moment is falling flat due to a lack of buildup. My aim is to help you deliver a well-structured, well-written story. I also offer one-to-one critiques about character development, story line, climax, pacing, word choices, phrasing, etc.

• Rates will normally be 1 cent per word, or $1000 for a 100,000-word novel.

Turnaround time is negotiable, but depending on the project, I’d hope to return the novel within 3-4 weeks.

I’ll read revisions for a further fee.

Contact me at hjjohns67@gmail.com for further information.