Services & Pricing
Updated May 2026
Manuscript Evaluation
What it is
The manuscript evaluation offers valuable feedback on its own, but it can also act as a precursor to editing services. We provide an editorial report that varies in length, but is usually 2-10 pages.
This report includes:
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Areas of excellence
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Opportunities for growth
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Recommendations
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Questions your audience may ask
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Any general questions you ask us to consider
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A sample edit demonstrating any editing recommendations
Who it benefits
If you are unsure what type of editing you need or just want to start with feedback that can help you take your manuscript to the next level on your own, this can be a valuable service. Our report will recommend any editing services that might benefit your manuscript, but you are not obligated to move forward with them.
Developmental Editing
What it is
Developmental editing has many different definitions, and can vary from editor to editor or even project to project. We define it as helping to refine and develop a manuscript in terms of content, theme, structure, organization, and depth. This can occur at any stage in the writing process.
Who it benefits
Projects of all stages and writers of all levels can benefit from developmental editing. We can help with brainstorming for writer's block, line-by-line deep-dives for overall growth, and reorganization or reimagination for something you might think is a mess.
For Example:
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We have helped a "brain dump" become a devotional and strong arguments written in mediocre fiction become a strong nonfiction.
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We have helped develop characters, come up with book titles, helped fill plot holes, and turn autobiography into memoir.
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Our ability to find themes and draw them out (when you barely knew they existed) is possibly a curse for our ability to function as humans. For your manuscript? It's a gift.
Sentence-Level Editing
(Line Editing + Copyediting)
What it is
Line editing deals with syntax, clarity, fluency, and conciseness, and makes your manuscript read like a book. Copyediting covers more technical aspects, such as grammar, punctuation, and adherence to a style guide (we usually follow the Chicago Manual of Style, Eighteenth Edition). These both occur at the sentence level, and we have found that both types of editing can be smoothly addressed together.
Who it benefits
After story and structure are settled, it is time for sentence-level editing. We retain your voice while ensuring that the reader does not misinterpret your meaning or think the project too tedious to continue reading.
For Example:
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We answer this question: "Should that be a comma, an em dash, or a semicolon?"
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Even as an experienced writer, you may not know that sentence-level editing is hyphenated but not when one is editing at the sentence level. It's okay.
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Dialog becomes less stilted and reads more like a real conversation.
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We can make people more willing to read the instructions: "In order to tabulate the pre-determined results in a proper manner. . ." becomes "To tabulate the results correctly. . ."
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We can even rescue characters from horrifying situations and disease. Perhaps you tell your literary fiction reader: "My love took his dog for a walk, during which he drank from puddles from the recent rain" (Wait, he what?!). We help you clarify: "My love took his dog Bruno for a walk. Bruno often dipped his head to enjoy the puddles, remnants of the recent rain."
Substantive Editing
(Developmental Editing + Sentence-Level Editing)
What it is
Substantive editing combines elements of both developmental and sentence-level editing. We have often found that developmental concerns can be addressed at the sentence level.
Who it benefits
If your manuscript is a complete draft and needs no organizational or structural changes, a substantive edit is likely the best route. This type of edit covers a lot of ground, which saves both time and money. Keep in mind that if you think there will be large-scale revisions needed, it is better to start with developmental editing alone.
Proofreading
What it is
The final review for errors, typos, and formatting issues before publication.
Who it benefits
A proofreader is a wonderful thing, and all can benefit. Especially if you have been looking at a piece of writing for months or years, only a fresh set of eyes will catch errors. AI and spellcheckers can't proofread with 100 percent accuracy. Can humans? No. But we will not add oddities that other programs might.
Please Note:
This is a final proofread. We will no longer be making copyediting or line editing changes during proofreading. If you think you will need more than just a final readthrough before publication, please request sentence-level editing.
Book Design
Interior Formatting
We turn your manuscript into the interior files you will need to upload for publication. This includes copyright page and other front matter, chapter titles, page numbers, running headers, back matter, and everything you find inside a book. You will receive files for both a print book (trim size will be your choice) and an eBook.
Interior Formatting with Proofreading
Includes everything in interior formatting above, but we will also read through the book to look for any errors.
Cover Design
Our intern is and artistic graphic design enthusiast, and will design custom book covers to match your needs. Includes both print and eBook cover.
Cover-to-Cover Book Design
This includes interior formatting and a custom book cover.
Cover-to-Cover Book Design with Proofreading
Proofreading, interior formatting, expertly written back cover description, and a custom cover. All the files you need to self publish.
Please Note
Proofreading at this stage is a final proofread for errors and typos. We will not be making copyediting or line editing changes during proofreading, and this is not the time for developmental changes. If you think you will need more than just a final readthrough before design and publication, please request sentence-level or developmental editing.