Editing

As writers, we do not have the ability to see what’s missing on the page. In our heads, we see our scenes and settings and characters and all their emotions and interactions so clearly that we’re oblivious to their absence on the page.

On the other hand, as readers, we are keenly aware when we aren’t engaged, but may not be able to articulate why. 

Critique partners (critters) are a vital asset, but also a mixed bag. Their insights can range from wonderfully insightful to disappointingly vague to confusing and, sometimes, pointless or even cruel. Even if your critter is a rockstar writer, they may not be a rockstar editor. It’s unlikely your critter can offer a comprehensive, sentence-by-sentence diagnosis including plot and structure, character development, setting, dialog, exposition, and the craft of writing.

Editors are manuscript doctors who can put you on the path to superior storytelling. 

As an editor, I have a knack for identifying blind spots and writing ticks, explaining the problem, and offering suggestions/alternatives. What’s missing on your pages jumps out at me like a monster in the dark.

I’m a freelance editor and writing coach specializing in line and diagnostic editing, but copy editing comes naturally and is part of the deal.

What’s the difference between these edits?

Copy editing deals with semantics, grammar, and punctuation. Diagnostic (or developmental) editing hones in on plot development, inconsistencies, contradictions, plausibility, and other related issues (not to be mistaken for research editing where information is validated). Line editing is about the craft of writing: clarity, cadence, making your words take flight, and deepening visuals, which therefore engage your readers and keep them turning pages. Unlike developmental issues, the beauty of line edits is they are often spot-fixes.

How it works: send me 2000 words (12-pt simple font, double-spaced). I’ll read it and edit the first page for free. That way you can decide if I’m the right fit for you and I can determine if you’re the right fit for me.

If we’re the right fit, we go from there. I charge below the industry average, $2-3 per page, depending on how clean it is (free of spelling and punctuation errors). You do not have to send the entire manuscript. You can start with as little as your first sixty pages. Once you have those edits back, you can decide if you want to send the rest of your manuscript or not. It’s completely up to you.

I use PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle so payment options are flexible and easy.

If you haven’t already, check out my book on self-editing, Editing Magic: A Beginner’s Guide To Elevating Your Writing & Engaging Your Readers. You can find it on Amazon.

Email inquiries to  staceybrittjackson@gmail.com