Editing, Manuscript Evaluation and Script Consulting
Good writing deserves thoughtful editing. Whether you need an overall assessment of your manuscript, help developing and refining your work, or a final review before submission, I offer a range of editorial services to help you strengthen your writing and achieve your goals.
With experience as both an author and an editor, I understand the creative process and the importance of maintaining a writer’s individual voice and vision. My approach is collaborative and constructive, offering practical suggestions, editorial guidance and support while respecting what you want to achieve with your work.
I work with a variety of fiction and nonfiction, including novels, children’s and young adult literature, biographies, memoirs and other written material. I also offer script consulting and editing for documentary and dramatic projects.
I work with a wide range of fiction and nonfiction, but do not offer editing services for poetry, plays or rhyming picture books.
Have a manuscript or writing project you’d like to discuss? Contact Me to arrange a complimentary initial consultation.
Preparing Your Manuscript?
Before submitting your work to an editor or publisher, it’s important to have your manuscript properly formatted.
To help you prepare your work, I’ve put together, I’ve prepared a resource outlining general Industry-Standard Manuscript Formatting Guidelines to help you get your work ready for submission.
The guide covers standard formatting for fiction, nonfiction, short works and longer manuscripts, including page layout, margins, spacing, paragraph formatting and other submission requirements.
Manuscript Formatting
I can help prepare your manuscript in standard industry format, ensuring that its layout, presentation and formatting are consistent and suitable for submission to editors and publishers.
Fee: $45 per hour.
Choosing the Right Editorial Service
Different stages of writing call for different kinds of editorial support. Depending on your manuscript and what you hope to accomplish, you may need an overall assessment, help developing the content and structure, attention to language and flow, or a final check for errors.
The following services are available individually or, where appropriate, in combination.
Manuscript Evaluation
A manuscript evaluation provides an overall assessment of your completed manuscript, identifying its strengths and areas that may benefit from further development. It is particularly useful if you’re unsure whether your manuscript is ready for submission or would like an independent editorial perspective before moving forward.
Following a review of the manuscript, I prepare a written report with constructive feedback and recommendations. This may address such areas as:
- Overall concept, content and organization
- Structure, pacing and development
- Storytelling, narrative flow and consistency
- Character development, where applicable
- Clarity, readability and intended audience
- Areas that may benefit from further revision
The evaluation also includes the opportunity to ask up to three specific questions about your manuscript.
A manuscript evaluation provides feedback and recommendations rather than corrections or changes made directly to the manuscript. It does not include proofreading, line editing, publisher research or marketing advice.
Manuscript Evaluation Fees
Prose manuscripts
| Manuscript length | Fee |
| Under 3,000 words | $75 |
| 3,001–6,000 words | $90 |
| 6,001–10,000 words | $105 |
| 10,001–20,000 words | $125 |
| 20,001–50,000 words | $175 |
| 50,001–75,000 words | $225 |
| 75,001–90,000 words | $275 |
| 90,001–100,000 words | $300 |
| 100,001–130,000 words | $350 |
| Over 130,000 words | Individual estimate |
Dramatic scripts
| Script length | Fee |
| Up to 29 pages | $75 |
| 30–60 pages | $105 |
| 61–100 pages | $150 |
| 101–130 pages | $200 |
| Over 130 pages | Individual estimate |
The length and complexity of a manuscript or script will determine the extent of the evaluation and the detail included in the report.
Preliminary Manuscript Review
If you’re considering editorial assistance but aren’t sure what your manuscript needs, a preliminary review can help determine the type and extent of editing required.
This involves reviewing an agreed-upon portion of your manuscript and providing an assessment of the work involved, along with an estimate of the anticipated cost and timeframe.
A preliminary review is not a full manuscript evaluation. Its purpose is to establish the editorial requirements before proceeding with a larger project.
Fee: $45 per hour. A more detailed review and written report may require up to two hours ($90). The scope and fee will be agreed upon beforehand.
Developmental Editing
Developmental editing looks at the larger picture of your manuscript. It focuses on the content, structure and overall effectiveness of your work, helping you identify areas that may need further development or refinement.
Depending on the project, this may include:
- Organization and overall structure
- Plot, storyline and narrative development
- Character development and consistency
- Pacing and transitions
- Clarity, continuity and flow
- Areas that may need expansion, revision or reorganization
I provide editorial suggestions and guidance to help you strengthen the manuscript while maintaining your own voice and vision. The process may involve comments, questions and recommendations throughout the document, as well as discussion of broader revisions.
Fee: $55 per hour.
Copy Editing and Line Editing
Copy editing and line editing focus on the language and presentation of your manuscript, helping make your writing clear, consistent and engaging.
This work may include:
- Sentence structure and clarity
- Grammar, spelling and punctuation
- Word choice and repetition
- Sentence flow and readability
- Consistency in style, terminology and formatting
- Refining wording without changing your intended meaning or voice
The extent of the editing will depend on the condition of the manuscript and the level of attention required.
Fee: $45 per hour.
Proofreading
Proofreading is the final check of a manuscript after editing and revision have been completed. It focuses on identifying remaining errors and inconsistencies before the work is submitted or published.
This may include checking for:
- Spelling, grammar and punctuation errors
- Typographical mistakes
- Inconsistent capitalization and formatting
- Missing or repeated words
- Other minor errors that may have been overlooked during earlier revisions
Proofreading is not intended to involve substantial rewriting or developmental changes. If more extensive editing is needed, I can recommend the appropriate service.
Fee: $45 per hour.
Additional Writing and Development
Some projects require more than editing. You may need assistance developing new sections, expanding existing material, reorganizing content or writing material that is not yet fully developed.
I offer additional writing and content development as a separate service, with the scope of work discussed and agreed upon before beginning.
Fee: $65 per hour.
Script Consulting and Editing
I also offer script consulting and editing for documentary and dramatic projects. Drawing on my experience as a writer, script editor and documentary producer, I can help writers develop their scripts, strengthen their storytelling and refine their material for production.
Depending on the project, this may include:
- Reviewing and assessing a script’s overall structure and content
- Developing storylines, narrative direction and sequences
- Strengthening character development and dialogue, where applicable
- Improving pacing, clarity and continuity
- Refining scenes, transitions and presentation
- Providing editorial suggestions and guidance through revisions
The scope of work will depend on the type, length and stage of development of the script, as well as the level of assistance required.
Fees are determined individually. Following an initial discussion and review of the material, I’ll provide an estimate outlining the proposed work, fees and timeframe.
How We Work Together
- Getting Started
The first step is a complimentary 20–30-minute consultation, either in person or virtually. This gives us an opportunity to discuss your project, your goals and the type of editorial support you may need.
If appropriate, I may ask to see a portion of your manuscript or script. A brief review to determine whether I can assist and prepare an estimate is complimentary. A more detailed preliminary manuscript review, including written feedback, is a paid service, as outlined above.
- Estimates and Agreements
Once I’ve had an opportunity to understand your project and the work involved, I’ll provide an estimate outlining the services, anticipated costs and timeframe.
Before work begins, we’ll agree on the scope of the project and the terms of the work in a written agreement.
For larger projects, a 25% deposit is required before work begins, with subsequent payments arranged according to the completion of agreed stages of work. Payment arrangements for smaller projects will be outlined in the estimate.
For larger or more involved editing projects, a written agreement will be provided outlining the scope of work, fees, payment arrangements, anticipated schedule and other relevant terms. This helps ensure that we have a clear understanding of the work to be undertaken before the project begins.
- Communication and Follow-up
Good communication is important throughout the editing process. One additional consultation is included at no charge after the initial complimentary consultation. Further consultations are available at $45 per hour, with a 30-minute minimum.
The agreed fee covers the specified editing work. If you decide to make further revisions and would like another editing round, that work will be quoted and charged separately at the applicable service rate.
My Editing Experience
My editorial experience is grounded in my own work as an author and writer, as well as years of working with other writers and their manuscripts. I have also taken specialized courses, such as the Book Editing Immersion course from the Simon Fraser University.
I’ve written and published more than twenty books across a range of genres and subjects, including children’s books, nonfiction, fiction, biographies and research-based works. My work has also involved journalism, documentary writing and production, and developing stories for different audiences and formats.
This experience gives me an appreciation of the creative process and the many decisions involved in bringing a manuscript together. I understand that every writer approaches a project differently, and I aim to provide practical, thoughtful editorial support that helps writers develop their work with confidence.
Ready to Discuss Your Project?
If you’re looking for editorial support or would like to discuss a manuscript or script project, I’d be happy to hear from you.
Whether you need an overall assessment, help developing your manuscript, or a final editorial review, we can discuss your needs and determine the best way to move forward.
Resources
This section will provide additional information and helpful resources for writers. I’ll be adding material here as it becomes available.
- Industry-Standard Manuscript Formatting Guidelines
- [Additional writing and submission resources – to be added]