Nonfiction is a broad category that includes snarky self-help books, inspirational memoirs, and practical business guide. But these diverse titles have similar needs.

• A specific, compelling topic
• Presented in a cohesive way
• With solid structure
• And well-organized writing

Content Editing puts all these pieces in their proper place, so you can share your unique perspective.

See, readers want to hear what you know, believe, and feel; that’s why they picked up your book. But without the right framework, unedited nonfiction can easily become unfocused, unclear, or uninteresting…

… which is unfortunate for you and your readers.

Content editing saves you both from this terrible fate by keeping your book on track.

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YOUR MANUSCRIPT NEEDS CONTENT EDITING IF

• You’re a first-time writer;
• It’s a first draft;
• This is your first time writing nonfiction;
• You are writing about a personal experience; or
• You have revised it several times, but it still doesn’t feel “right.”

CONTENT EDITING INCLUDES

• Three full read-throughs of your manuscript;
• Detailed analysis of content/topic, structure, organization, and cohesiveness;
• Inline comments on how to address any issues;
• A comprehensive editorial letter with a clear action plan and next steps; and
• A 60-minute Zoom call to discuss the feedback.

CONTENT EDITING DOES NOT INCLUDE

• Rewrites or revisions; or
• Assessment of or corrections to clarity, tone, flow, style, diction, grammar, syntax, or punctuation except as relates to the included areas.

Once you are satisfied with what you wrote, it’s time to address how you wrote it—the words you’ve chosen, how each paragraph or section connects the next, if the grammar and spelling are correct, and so on.

This phase is Line Editing and Copy Editing, two separate edits I perform at once.

Line editing assesses

• Clarity, which is how clearly your words convey what you mean;
• Tone, which is the feeling or mood your writing creates in the reader; and
• Flow, which is how well each word, sentence, section, or chapter connects to the next one.

Whether you’ve written a historical romance or a humorous memoir, your work could be ruined by confusing word choices, abrasive language, and clunky writing. Line editing cures these ills, so your voice can shine.

Copy editing complements this work by correcting grammar, spelling, punctuation errors, and typos. It also ensures consistent spacing and font choices.

The wonder twins of editing, these two services will whip your work into publish-ready shape.

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YOUR MANUSCRIPT NEEDS LINE AND COPY EDITING 

• After you revise your first draft;
• If you are confident in what you wrote but not how it’s written;
• If editors or prereaders said the concept is good but the writing needs work;
• If it is longer than you’d like; or
• If it has not been line and/or copy edited before.

LINE + COPY EDITING INCLUDES

• Line-by-line correction of issues with clarity, tone, flow, diction, syntax, grammar, punctuation, spelling, typos, missing, incorrect, and/or extra words;
• In-line comments, questions, and suggestions; and
• A style sheet outlining spelling, punctuation, formatting, and other choices.

LINE + COPY EDITING DOES NOT INCLUDE

• Feedback on the manuscript’s content unless that feedback is related to changes in the above areas.

If you’re a seasoned writer with a few books under your belt, you probably have a clear writing voice and style and little need for the support of a line edit.

You might, however, suffer from problematic punctuation or shaky spelling.

In that case, you need Copy Editing.

Copy editing only focuses on the rightness of what appears on the page, the “copy” as they say in newspaper-speak. It corrects and standardizes grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting while addressing missing or extra words.

Copy editing gets your book ready for the ball, making sure everything is just right before it heads into the next phase of publishing.

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YOUR MANUSCRIPT NEEDS COPY EDITING

• If it has never had copy editing or proofreading; or
• If you’re catching errors as you read through it.

 COPY EDITING INCLUDES

• Line-by-line correction of issues with grammar, punctuation, spelling, typos, missing, incorrect, and/or extra words;
• In-line comments, questions, and suggestions (rare and only if needed); and
• A style sheet outlining spelling, punctuation, and formatting choices.

 COPY EDITING DOES NOT INCLUDE

• Feedback on the manuscript’s content unless that feedback is related to changes in the above areas; or
• Feedback on/corrections to the manuscript’s clarity, tone, flow, diction, or syntax unless that feedback is related to changes in the above areas.

Sometimes you just want to know where your manuscript stands. Is it solid or shaky? Shaky? Nearly there or way off the mark? Should you keep going with this idea or switch to something else?

When that happens, you need a Manuscript Evaluation to assess your manuscript’s core areas.

• For fiction, these are plot and character.
• For nonfiction, these are content and structure.

A manuscript evaluation will rate these two areas on a scale of one to three.

• “One” means the area needs major work and revisions.
• “Two” means the area is okay but could be improved.
• “Three” means the area is strong and serves the book well.

These ratings tell you which areas of your manuscript need your attention, so you can reconsider, revise, and rewrite them as you see fit.

For specific suggestions and feedback, you’d need a developmental or content edit, but a manuscript evaluation is a great option if you just want to know if your book is on the right track.

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YOUR MANUSCRIPT NEEDS AN EVALUATION

• If you’re not sure about it; or
• If you’re getting mixed feedback from your prereaders.

 A MANUSCRIPT EVALUATION INCLUDES

• One full read-through of your manuscript;
• An evaluation form rating the two areas of your manuscript;
• One example from the text (for each area) that confirms the rating; and
• A discount on developmental or content editing if booked within 30 days of the manuscript evaluation.

 A MANUSCRIPT EVALUATION DOES NOT INCLUDE

• Specific feedback or suggestions about the manuscript; or
• Inline comments on the manuscript.

Writing can be a lonely endeavor. You plan alone, research alone, and write alone, often having no one to talk to about your project but you.

You need another perspective.

A Project Consultation provides that perspective and feedback, so your project can move forward. Whether you’re working on an outline, your fifth draft, or something in between, a project consultation will ensure you know exactly what to do next.

YOU NEED A PROJECT CONSULTATION

• If you don’t know how to approach your book;
• If you’re confused or uncertain about what to do next;
• If you have too many ideas; or
• If you want a clear plan before you start writing.

A PROJECT CONSULTATION INCLUDES

• A pre-consultation form including your three concerns/questions;
• A 30- or 60-minute phone call covering those concerns/questions; and
• A post-call email summary including solutions and next steps.

A PROJECT CONSULTATION DOES NOT INCLUDE

• Any reading or evaluation of your work