Editing Services

If you’ve ever finished a draft and felt that quiet, nagging sense of this isn’t quite working, but I can’t put my finger on why, you’re very much not alone.

This is the stage where a lot of writers get stuck. Not because the story isn’t good, but because it’s too close. You’re too close. You know what you meant, and you know what you were trying to do. But translating that into something that fully lands on the page? That’s the hard part.

That’s where I come in.

I read stories the same way I always have — looking for what lingers, what lands, and what almost gets there — just more intentionally now.

I specialise in big-picture, story-focused editing — looking at the bones of your manuscript: structure, pacing, character arcs, and emotional payoff. Not to change your voice, but to help you refine it into something clearer, stronger, and more intentional.

How I work

If you’re curious about how I think about stories more broadly, you can read more about my approach in my editing philosophy.

My approach is collaborative, thoughtful and honest. And never harsh for the sake of it.

I’m not interested in tearing a story apart or overwhelming you with comments that don’t actually help. What I’m looking for is clarity — where something isn’t quite landing yet, why that might be happening, and how you can shift it without losing what makes the story yours.

It’s less about being “edited” and more about having someone walk through the story with you — noticing patterns, asking questions, and helping you see what a reader is actually experiencing on the page.

This is something I explore more in my Editor’s Lens posts, where I break down how those patterns show up across different stories.

Primary Services

Manuscript assessment

Best for: Early drafts, or when you know something isn’t working but you’re not sure where to start.

This is a step-back, big-picture edit — the kind that helps you see the shape of your story more clearly.

I read your manuscript as a whole, paying attention to how everything is working together. Where does the momentum dip? Where do emotional beats almost land, but not quite? Are your characters driving the story in the way you intended?

You’ll receive a detailed editorial report that gently walks through:

• The structure of your plot (and where it may lose traction)
• Pacing: where it flows, and where it stalls
• Character development on the page (not just in concept)
• Emotional impact: what’s landing, and what’s being missed
• Genre expectations and how your story is sitting within them

Alongside that, I’ll suggest practical ways forward — not just what isn’t working, but how you might approach revising it.

If your story feels close but unclear, this is usually the best place to start.

Developmental or Structural Edit

Best for: Writers who are ready to actively reshape and strengthen their manuscript.

This is a deeper, more immersive edit, where we really get into the detail of how your story is functioning on the page.

I work directly within your manuscript, leaving comments as I read. You’ll see where something is working, where something feels slightly off, and where there’s room to push a moment further.

Alongside that, you’ll receive a longer editorial letter that brings everything together — so you’re not left trying to piece feedback into a plan on your own.

This might include:

• Structural adjustments (and how to approach them)
• Character arc clarity and development
• Strengthening stakes and tension
• Smoothing pacing across the manuscript
• Deepening emotional resonance

A key part of this process is understanding why something isn’t working, so you come away not just with a stronger manuscript, but a clearer sense of how you write.

Beta Read / Reader Report

Best for: Writers who want to understand how their story feels to a reader before taking the next step.

This sits somewhere between a casual beta read and a full edit.

I read your manuscript as a reader first — paying attention to where I’m pulled in, where I hesitate, and what stays with me after I finish.

You’ll receive a reader-style report that reflects that experience, including:

• Overall engagement and readability
• Pacing from a reader’s perspective
• Emotional connection to characters
• Moments that stand out — or fall slightly flat

It’s a useful middle step if you’re not quite ready for a full edit, but want more insight than a standard beta read.

Other Services

Line Editing

Best for: Manuscripts that are structurally sound, but need refinement at the sentence and paragraph level.

Line editing sits between developmental editing and proofreading.

At this stage, the story itself should already be working — the structure is in place, the characters are clear, and the pacing holds. What I’m focusing on here is how that story is being expressed on the page.

That might look like:

• Smoothing sentence flow and readability
• Tightening phrasing without losing your voice
• Improving clarity and consistency
• Strengthening the rhythm of your prose

It’s a more detailed, close-reading process — but still with your voice at the centre. The goal isn’t to rewrite your writing, but to help it read more cleanly, more clearly, and with more impact.

Because of that, this is offered as a standalone service only, and isn’t combined with other editing work.

If you’re unsure whether your manuscript is ready for this stage, starting with a manuscript assessment is often the best way to get clarity.

Proofreading / Copyediting

Best for: Final drafts that are completely finished and ready for submission or publication.

Proofreading is a different stage entirely.

At this point, the story itself should already be settled: structure, character and pacing are all in place. My focus here is purely on clarity and correctness: grammar, spelling, punctuation and consistency.

Like line editing, this is offered as a standalone service and is best suited to manuscripts that have already been through earlier rounds of editing.

It’s not my primary focus, but it is available if you’re at that final polish stage and want a careful, detail-oriented pass before putting your work out into the world.

What I edit

I’m most drawn to adult, young adult and middle grade character-driven stories, particularly in the following genres:

• Fantasy
• Romance
• Contemporary
• Speculative fiction

That said, if your story sits slightly outside this, feel free to reach out as I’m always happy to chat about fit.

Process

1. Enquiry: You send through your manuscript details (word count, genre, and where you’re at)

2. Sample & Quote: I may request a short sample to make sure I’m the right fit and to confirm pricing

3. Booking: A 50% deposit secures your place

4. Editing: I get to work on your manuscript

5. Delivery: You receive your feedback and suggested next steps

6. (Optional) Call: We talk it through together

Turnaround times

Turnaround will depend on manuscript length, service requested and current bookings, but I’ll always give you a clear timeframe before we begin so you know what to expect.

I also know that life can get in the way, and the road to hell (yours and mine) can be paved in good intentions. I will always contact you if something unexpected happens that will delay any agreed timing, or if I can no longer complete the work.

My aim in everything I do is to work on a ‘no surprises’ basis.

Pricing

I’m currently offering introductory pricing while I set up my business and build out a portfolio of sample edits and client references. If you’ve been thinking about getting professional feedback on your manuscript, this is a really good time to jump in!

I keep my pricing transparent and straightforward so you can decide what feels right for you. If it looks like I would need to spend additional time on your project than expected, I will always contact you first.

All prices are in Australian Dollars (AUD) and are excluding GST (calculated at 10%).

Payment is split 50% upfront to secure your booking, and 50% on completion.

A quick note

I know how vulnerable it can feel to hand your work over to someone else.

My goal isn’t to tear your story apart. It’s to help you understand it more clearly, strengthen what’s already there, and give you the confidence to keep going.

Ready to work together?

If this sounds like what you’re looking for, send me an email with:

• Your manuscript word count
• Genre
• Which service you’re interested in
• A short description of your story

And we’ll take it from there.