Editing Service

I am pleased to now be able to offer a Developmental Editing Service for speculative fiction manuscripts.

I am currently offering two different packages: Full Manuscript Review, and Querying.

A developmental edit focuses on characters, story, structure, pacing and themes. If you would be interested in either package, please firstly send an email to: edmcdonaldauthor@gmail.com to ensure that I have space in my schedule to get you a speedy turn around.

Full Manuscript Review Package

This package is ideal for writers who may be seeking traditional publication, indie publication or are looking to self publish. However, please note that a developmental edit is not a line edit (which focuses on getting every sentence to be in its best form) or a copy edit (correcting typos and errors). My goal with this service is to help you to get your manuscript into its best possible form at a developmental level, ensuring that the story is exciting, the themes are powerful and the characters reach out from the page.

  • Full manuscript read-through
  • Provide a full critique document of 3,000 to 5,000 words, highlighting where I think the manuscript can be improved
  • Annotate the manuscript with comments throughout (available only if the manuscript has been supplied in .docx format)
  • Provide a critique and edit of a cover letter, if you’re seeking traditional publication
  • Provide a critique and edit of a one page synopsis, that would typically accompany a cover letter
  • Once I have sent you the feedback, we can arrange a 1 hour meeting on Zoom to discuss the notes

I am best able to provide assistance with fantasy novels, but if you have another project you’d wish to discuss then let me know. I will not take your manuscript unless I feel I have the expertise to provide a first rate service.

Price:

Manuscripts of up to 90,000 words:        £550

For every additional 10,000 words or part thereafter the price increases by £50.

The maximum length for a submitted manuscript is 150,000 words.

Payment must be made by PayPal.

Query Package

This package is ideal for writers who may be seeking traditional or indie publication. Most commonly an agent will ask querying authors for the first 3 chapters, a synopsis and a cover letter. This package provides a developmental edit or review of all three.

  • Developmental edit of the first 3 chapters of your novel, to a maximum of 12,000 words.
  • Provided: a review document highlighting key points with a focus on characters, pacing, themes and hooks.
  • Annotate the manuscript with comments throughout (available only if the manuscript has been supplied in .docx format)
  • A review and suggested amendments to your one-page cover letter
  • A review and suggestions about content and format of a one page synopsis

Price

The price for the Query Package is £150.

To make an enquiry relating to either package, in the first case send an email to edmcdonaldauthor@gmail.com to discuss your manuscript.