Line Editing for Authors
Sentence- and scene-level editing to improve clarity, rhythm and flow without taking away the voice of the writer.
How can the writing read more smoothly and clearly?
Manuscripts whose story is working but whose prose needs strengthening.
WHAT WE LOOK AT- Clarity and flow
- Word choice and readability
- Voice, tone and rhythm
- Show versus tell where it affects the reading
- Scene-level prose and transitions
- Repetition and awkward phrasing
- Edited manuscript
- Editorial comments where useful
- Overall notes on the prose
- Major plot restructuring
- Full copyediting or proofreading
- Ghostwriting or complete rewriting
We start with what happened while we were reading.
Where did we lean in, hesitate, get confused or lose interest?
What scene, line, choice or piece of information caused that reaction?
Was it one rough spot, or does the same thing happen elsewhere?
We look past the symptom and consider the story, character, pacing or prose issue underneath it.
Which problem is worth tackling first, and which can wait?
You decide what stays and what changes. Our job is to give you a clear second opinion.
Known-scope work can be estimated. Diagnostic work is scoped to the question.
Where a published rate applies, the calculator gives an estimate. Where the work depends on diagnosis, scope is confirmed after we understand the manuscript and the question.
Make sure you are getting the kind of help you actually need.
If the manuscript is still changing, a reader may be more useful than an editor. If something feels wrong but you cannot find the cause, an assessment may be the better starting point. If the story is settled and the prose is the concern, line or copy editing may make more sense.
Compare all services →Other services that may fit.
Before you send the manuscript.
Who is Line Editing for?+
Manuscripts whose story is working but whose prose needs strengthening.
What will I receive?+
Edited manuscript, Editorial comments where useful, Overall notes on the prose.
What is not included?+
Major plot restructuring, Full copyediting or proofreading, Ghostwriting or complete rewriting.
What if I am not sure this is the right service?+
You do not need to know the service name. Send a sample and tell us what is bothering you. We can help you work out what kind of help makes sense.
Want to see how we approach your pages?
Send a sample and tell us what is bothering you. We will help you work out what makes sense before you commit to a larger project.
Tell Us What's Not Working