Sample Edit (Fiction)

Description

This sample edit for fiction is available to new customers or for new projects only. The word counts listed reflect the maximum word count I will read during this phase. Sample edits are billed at a tiered flat rate.

Edits will be done to Chicago Manual of Style. I work in American English by default. If you require UK English instead, please specify when ordering.

Genres I accept:
-Romance of all kinds, including dark romance
-Mystery
-Thriller
-Horror
-Historical
-Steampunk & Cyberpunk
-Fantasy
-Children’s
-Christian/Religious Fiction
-Women’s Fiction
-Western

Because literary fiction is outside my normal wheelhouse, it may not be the best editorial fit.

If content concerns present themselves, I do reserve the option to refer you to a sensitivity reader.

My fiction sample edits are not meant for short stories. Please use the Quote Request Form to describe your short story projects and get an appropriate quote.

Why do you offer fiction if you never worked at a major publishing house? I have had Chicago Manual training for more than 15 years, and I have worked behind the scenes with plenty of students and aspiring writers. Additionally, I  have newsroom, digital, and other print copy expertise, a combination that many other contract editors do not possess. This is a space I know well and work to stay current in.

After stepping back from full-time editorial work, I chose not to offer fiction edits outside of close friends and family for several years. Recently, I’ve decided to open this option because of popular demand. The sample edit purchase is available to reassure you of my skillset.

Why don’t you offer free samples? My sample edits are discounted for your convenience. This offers a low-risk way for us to get to know each other and decide if we’d like to work together again.

It’s been my experience that free samples unfortunately tend to attract writers who aren’t truly ready for a longer edit or, worse, don’t value the labor of their collaborators. Each new customer and project takes a significant investment of my time and attention. Therefore, I only have the bandwidth to accept serious clients who present with current projects on the table. If I’m busy helping everyone who just wants a freebie, I won’t have the energy to help authors who need the scaffolding to advance.

Do you charge for estimates? No.  You can use the Quote Request Form to open a conversation about project estimates anytime.

Ready to order? Please take note of all of the following before purchasing:

AI and Plagiarism Statement: I do not use generative AI in any of my writing or editorial work. It is your responsibility to vouch for the accuracy and truthfulness of any copy you submit to me. I recommend that you do not deploy generative AI in any work that you are hoping to have professionally published.
Students are responsible to uphold their own academic honor codes.
Writing professionals are also expected to adhere to their own professional ethics codes.
If I notice work that appears to be incorrectly attributed, it will be marked and returned for you to fix. I do not give refunds or discounts for this.

Process: When you purchase this sample package, you will be invited to submit your project as a .doc or .docx file. Please upload your document.

After edits, your document will be returned to you with tracked changes on so that you can see my marks and comments. You choose what to accept or reject.

I do not offer second-look services for sample edits, because that defeats the purpose of a sample. You can, however, purchase a full edit later that includes the updated text.

Ready to order? Please take note of all of the following before purchasing:

This service allows up to one week of lead time to get you scheduled and reviewed. If you need it finished faster, please add the Rush Fee package to your order.

This sample copy editing service DOES NOT include final formatting. This is a sample copy review only and should not substitute for final proofs.

If you submit a document that is longer than the service you paid for, my sample work will stop when I reach the end of the word count limit, as determined by my word processor.