Turn your manuscript into a polished reading experience
Every level of editing, explained plainly and scoped to what your manuscript needs, from a big-picture assessment to the final proofread.
Which edit does your book need?
Editing is a sequence, not a single service. Most manuscripts need two or three of these, in this order.
Developmental editing
Big-picture story, structure and content.
- Best when
- The draft is complete but you are not sure it works yet.
- You get
- An editorial report on structure, pacing, argument or plot, character and audience, with a plan for revision.
Line editing
Clarity, flow, tone and sentence-level improvements.
- Best when
- The structure is sound and the prose needs to sing.
- You get
- Tracked changes on every page addressing rhythm, word choice, repetition and voice.
Copy editing
Grammar, consistency, language and technical accuracy.
- Best when
- The writing is finished and needs to be made correct and consistent.
- You get
- Tracked corrections, a style sheet, and queries on facts, names, dates and continuity.
Proofreading
Final error check before publication.
- Best when
- The book is typeset or about to be.
- You get
- A last pass for typos, punctuation, spacing and layout errors on the final files.
Structural editing is sometimes used to mean developmental editing and sometimes a lighter pass focused on organisation. We define the scope in writing so there is no ambiguity about what your edit includes.
What editing looks like on the page
Line editing preserves meaning and voice while tightening the prose.
Drag the handle. This is an illustrative passage written for this page, not a client manuscript.
Manuscript services
- Developmental editing
- Structural editing
- Line editing
- Copy editing
- Manuscript review and assessment
- Rewriting
- Proofreading
- Grammar and punctuation
- Fact and consistency checking
- Final manuscript review
- Style sheets
- Sensitivity and readability notes on request
How we deliver an edit
You receive your manuscript back as a Word document with tracked changes, so every edit is visible and reversible, plus a separate editorial letter or report that explains the reasoning and lists queries for you to resolve. For developmental work, the report is the main deliverable and comes with a proposed revision plan.
Australian English is our default. British or US English is applied on request, consistently, and recorded in the style sheet.
Common questions
What is the difference between editing and proofreading?
Editing improves the writing: its structure, clarity, flow and correctness. Proofreading is the final check for errors on a finished, typeset manuscript. Proofreading is not a substitute for editing, and a proofread manuscript with structural problems will still have structural problems.
Can I get a sample edit first?
Yes. A short sample edit on a few pages of your manuscript lets you see the approach and lets us scope the work accurately before quoting.
Do you edit in Australian English?
Yes, by default. We also edit in British or US English where the book will be sold primarily in those markets, and we can advise on which to choose.
How long does editing take?
A copy edit of an average novel takes two to four weeks; developmental editing usually longer. Timelines are confirmed in your quote.
Ready to talk about your book?
A confidential conversation, a clear scope and a written quote. No obligation.