Line edits are the extensive, thorough feedback on how content is being said. It is a review of the writing style to ensure it’s consistent with the vision, plot, and/or subject matter. This service does naturally involve copy editing components (correcting grammar and punctuation), but that is not its intended focus, so it is not a dual service on which to rely. My edits are typically a mix of in-text comments and in-text tracked changes.
The book’s unique needs will determine what feedback is necessary. Writing style is also something that should reflect the author, so my intention is never to rewrite, bulldoze, or co-author. In fact, if I do rephrase, I will likely comment on it to ensure it’s how you would phrase it too (not using words or phrasings that aren’t normal to the piece and your personality).
Authenticity and individuality are crucial values of mine when editing and writing, so this editing process requires feedback and direction by you should you feel I overstep that delicate boundary, but it has not happened in my eight years as an editor! If you prefer, I can provide all line edits in comment form—it just might make the process a little bit more overwhelming and limit how much I can really get done within one sentence or paragraph.
Below are some of the criteria I double-check in a line edit!
The book’s unique needs will determine what feedback is necessary. Writing style is also something that should reflect the author, so my intention is never to rewrite, bulldoze, or co-author. In fact, if I do rephrase, I will likely comment on it to ensure it’s how you would phrase it too (not using words or phrasings that aren’t normal to the piece and your personality).
Authenticity and individuality are crucial values of mine when editing and writing, so this editing process requires feedback and direction by you should you feel I overstep that delicate boundary, but it has not happened in my eight years as an editor! If you prefer, I can provide all line edits in comment form—it just might make the process a little bit more overwhelming and limit how much I can really get done within one sentence or paragraph.
Below are some of the criteria I double-check in a line edit!
Fiction
- Showing, not telling.
- Creative, engaging, realistic dialogue and dialogue tags.
- Build suspense.
- Descriptive imagery and figurative language.
- Consistency in characterization.
- Use of description as form of characterization.
- Use of description as subtle exposition (minimizing overexposition).
- Matching the tone of the scene with the writing style.
- Maintaining sensitivity for a variety of reader demographics.
- So much more!
Nonfiction
- Maintaining sensitivity for a variety of reader demographics.
- Clear, logical order of thoughts within a section.
- Succinct, descriptive headings and fundamental statements.
- Accurate use of sources (credible, within its context, etc.).
- Tone matches the content being discussed.
- Use of figurative language to elaborate on a complex or abstract thought.
- Clear and concise wording.
- Sentence variety.
- Demonstrates personal perspective (not robotic or cheesy).
- So much more!
The Process
After you and I agree to work together, I recommend meeting to review the felt needs (Why is the reader opening the book?), objective (What is this book going to do about it?), and execution (How are we going to accomplish that?), as well as the demographics, general content, and anything else you want me to know or that I want to know.
I edit the entire document before returning it, so you won’t hear from me for a smidge while I’m in the thick of it! I comment and edit using tracked changes, so everything I do is visible but can also be hidden or accepted if it’s too overwhelming. This service does not include overall content review or feedback on the big picture.
I recommend you read the edits slowly, writing down questions and confusions to talk about in our debrief call. You are free to send them to me via message too! One post-edits debrief call (limited to 60 minutes) is included in this service. I’ll answer what I can for you to revise based on your own discernment of my feedback and recommendations.
I edit the entire document before returning it, so you won’t hear from me for a smidge while I’m in the thick of it! I comment and edit using tracked changes, so everything I do is visible but can also be hidden or accepted if it’s too overwhelming. This service does not include overall content review or feedback on the big picture.
I recommend you read the edits slowly, writing down questions and confusions to talk about in our debrief call. You are free to send them to me via message too! One post-edits debrief call (limited to 60 minutes) is included in this service. I’ll answer what I can for you to revise based on your own discernment of my feedback and recommendations.