Line editing focuses on the entire work word by word, sentence by sentence, to make sure the language is serving the story as a whole. This is the moment to look for wordiness, wobbly syntax, repetitions, and word choices that aren’t serving the story. A final, in-depth line-editing pass makes sense only when all the “big picture” revisions are complete, so this is a service I reserve for returning clients whose work we’re both confident is ready for this step — however, line editing is a skill that also helps spark a writer’s imagination and develop the story and characters. For that reason, I also offer line editing for shorter excerpts earlier in the writing process, to coach writers as they develop their skills and their unique voices.
Note: While line editing, I am not trying to impose my personal voice or style on your work. Instead, I’m making edits to enhance what you’ve already created, making your own writing style and narrative voice as compelling as it can be.
- You’ll receive the line-edited manuscript, with numerous edits marked in track changes.
- You’ll receive a brief letter (500 to 1,000 words) about any frequent issues I’ve noticed in the manuscript, with further comments as needed.
- We’ll have a follow-up Zoom conversation to address any questions and concerns you may have about the editing and to discuss your next steps
Are you ready to set up a free Zoom consultation to discuss your project? Please contact me. Or return to the full Editing & Coaching Services list.
