SML Editorial

Here are brief descriptions of each book editing service I offer. If you’re still unsure of which editorial service you want, we can schedule a free 30-minute consultation and get started on free sample edits to determine exactly what your manuscript needs! Click here for rates on services.

Developmental Editing

In the developmental editing rounds, the Editor will provide an in-depth critique and analysis of each of the author’s chapters, noting character development, dropped narrative threads, any plot holes, etc. This part of the process is to help the author shape her story in the way they envision it for their readers. 

Developmental editing (or, dev editing) often involves the editor helping the author to develop their story from concept to first draft to published book. Another common process for dev editing is when the author and editor work together on a written manuscript (sometimes chapter-by-chapter, rather than all at once) to improve the writer’s characters and story.

On a very basic level, this stage will include author feedback and character development. I will address a manuscript’s organization or structure, as well as plot problems, factual errors, voice, and character development through dialogue.

During a dev edit, I will write an editorial letter that will identify, explain, and solve any and all developmental issues I spot during my edit.

After receiving the editorial letter, I offer a free 30-minute follow-up call to discuss everything in the letter, or a brainstorm session to fix some of the issues addressed in the letter.

See rates for developmental editing.

Line Editing

Line editing seeks to make the author’s writing consistent, smooth, and compelling so readers move effortlessly through the material. In a simplified description, line editing includes suggestions for rewriting at the chapter, section, paragraph, and sentence level.

While developmental editing works to improve your story and characters, line editing sets out to improve your storytelling one line at at time. It includes going line-by-line in your manuscript to examine any passages or sections that may require a light-to-moderate rewrite. (Please note: As always, any and all edits are only suggestions. As the writer, you have the final say of what changes you want to make in your manuscript.)

Although it can sometimes include a bit of rewriting, there is a fine line between line editing rewrites and full-on ghostwriting. If I see that a manuscript may need some help with rewrites, then I will re-evaluate with you and, if you’d like, send you some recommendations of trusted ghostwriters.

If we decide to do a chapter-by-chapter line edit, you will receive an editorial letter for each chapter. If you’d like to do a full manuscript line edit, you will receive one extensive editorial letter for the entire manuscript. For each letter I send, we can schedule a free 30-minute follow-up call to go over the letter and/or for a brainstorm session.

See rates for line editing.

Comprehensive Editing

Comprehensive editing, which is sometimes referred to as substantive editing, is a comprehensive edit that consists of both developmental editing and line editing. Because of this, it is usually longer than a single round of developmental editing or line editing.

The addition of line editing to the developmental editing round (otherwise known as comprehensive editing) is crucial as it seeks to make the author’s writing consistent, smooth, and compelling so readers move effortlessly through the fully developed material. 

You can expect well-detailed editorial letters, just like in a dev edit or line edit.

See rates for comprehensive editing.

Manuscript Evaluation

Manuscript evaluations can include evaluations for your entire manuscript or only parts of it. This is similar to a developmental edit, however, it is not nearly as extensive as one.

If you’re wanting to have a developmental edit done without too much writer-editor interaction, this is for you. We may schedule one free 30-minute follow-up call to go over the entire evaluation (whether full or partial), but we we won’t have multiple follow-up calls or brainstorming sessions like we might during a dev edit.

A manuscript evaluation can be done for your full manuscript or only part of your manuscript, whether that be 10 pages, 50 pages, or 100 pages.

See rates for a manuscript evaluation.

Heavy Copyediting

In short, copyediting is the polishing stage of the editing process. It is separated into two levels: Heavy Copyediting and light copyediting.

A heavy copyedit includes…

• On a mechanical level, I will correct errors in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, hyphenation, abbreviation, consistency of numerals, use of italics.
• On a language level, I will correct indisputable errors in grammar, syntax, usage; query terms likely to be new to readers and supply definition if able; query awkward, wordy passages and suggest revisions.
• On a content level, query factual inconsistencies or suspected errors and verify with standard references as able; revise or query material that’s sexist, prejudiced, absence, dated, or slanderous;
• I will also improve word choice, transitions, and overall fluency; ensure agreement of table of contents with headings in text; ensure that headings within each chapter are parallel in construction, number, and frequency.

You can expect your work to receive a proper polish during a copyedit (whether heavy or light), but please note that if you choose to start with this level of editing, any big-picture items that need work will be pointed out but not fixed.

While I would normally identify, explain, and solve these issues during a developmental, comprehensive, or line edit (depending on the issue), I will only identify any issues I find while doing a copyedit. Depending on the issue, I will then recommend what stage of editing will help in fixing that issue.

In short, as your editor, my job is to clarify your ideas, because no matter how heavily I edit your writing, the objective is always to help you, as the author, communicate to your readers while never losing your voice.

See rates for copyediting.

Light Copyediting

In short, copyediting is the polishing stage of the editing process. It is separated into two levels: heavy copyediting and light copyediting.

A light copyedit includes…

• On a mechanical level, I will correct faulty spelling, capitalization, punctuation, hyphenation, abbreviation.
• On a language level, I will correct indisputable errors in grammar, syntax, and usage, and query for clarification of terms likely to be new to readers.
• For content, I will query factual inconsistencies or suspected errors.

You can expect your work to receive a proper polish during a copyedit (whether heavy or light), but please note that if you choose to start with a light copyedit, any big-picture items that need work will be pointed out but not fixed.

While I would normally identify, explain, and solve these issues during a developmental, comprehensive, or line edit (depending on the issue), I will only identify any issues I find while doing a copyedit. Depending on the issue, I will then recommend what stage of editing will help in fixing that issue.

In short, as your editor, my job is to clarify your ideas, because no matter how lightly or heavily I edit your writing, the objective is always to help you, as the author, communicate to your readers while never losing your voice.

See rates for copyediting.

Proofreading

Proofreading often involves more than simply catching typos, correcting spelling errors, and fixing incorrect grammar and punctuation. This level of editing can also include reviewing numbers for accuracy, checking dates and figures, looking for inconsistencies, ensuring niche-appropriate spelling and terminology, and fact-checking.

It can also include evaluating and correcting layouts, making judgment calls, and determining if an element in the manuscript needs to be re-evaluated at a higher level of editing. For example, if there’s some developmental editing work needed.

You can also consider this stage a reviewing of what your designed pages will look like inside the final printed book e-book.

See rates for proofreading.

All of these editing services are offered for poetry and fiction manuscripts, including novels, novellas, and short stories.

Contact Stevi today to get started on your editing journey!