EDITING SERVICES FOR INDIE AUTHORS
What does your manuscript need next?
Finishing a draft is a milestone. Figuring out what to do with it next can feel like a whole different story.
Here, you can compare the kinds of editing we offer, see exactly what’s included, and find your fixed price by manuscript word count. No guessing at the cost and no need to request a quote unless your book exceeds 120,000 words.
YOUR EDITING ROADMAP
From first draft to final polish.
01. Foundation
First, make sure the story works.
02. Refinement
Then make every sentence count.
03. Proofreading
Finally, catch what remains.
You can book one stage or choose the full Publish-Ready experience.
BEFORE YOU CHOOSE AN EDIT
The three questions that help you find your starting point.
Does the story itself work?
If you’re struggling with plot holes, pacing, character arcs, or structure, start with developmental editing.
Is the prose ready for readers?
If the story is in place but sentences, dialogue, and flow need attention, line editing is your next step.
Have the big edits been finished?
If you’ve completed earlier editing and revisions, proofreading catches remaining errors.
Not sure which stage you’re in? That’s what our free discovery call is for. You don’t need to know the editing terminology before reaching out.
CHOOSE YOUR EDITING SERVICE
Four ways to make a stronger manuscript.
Every option below serves a different purpose. Choose the stage that matches your manuscript, or follow the complete three-stage editing process.
Foundation Edit
Developmental editing
Best for: Your manuscript is drafted, but you know something about the story needs work.
This is where we step back and look at your story as a whole. Instead of polishing individual sentences, I examine whether the structure, characters, pacing, and emotional stakes work together to deliver the reading experience you want.
What we’ll focus on
- Story structure, scene purpose, and plot development
- Character motivation, growth, and consistency
- Pacing, tension, point of view, and narrative clarity
- Continuity and areas where readers may become confused or disengaged
What you’ll receive
- One complete developmental editing pass
- Detailed editorial letter identifying strengths and revision priorities
- In-manuscript comments with specific, actionable feedback
- One defined follow-up opportunity to clarify editorial feedback
This service focuses on substantive storytelling issues. It is not sentence-level line editing or a final proofread.
Refinement Edit
Line editing
Best for: Your plot and characters are where you want them, but the prose doesn’t feel quite finished.
Now that the story works, we can give your writing the attention it deserves. This pass focuses on the reader’s experience at the sentence and paragraph level while preserving the rhythm, personality, and voice that make your work yours.
What we’ll focus on
- Sentence clarity, flow, and rhythm
- Dialogue, transitions, and word choice
- Repetition, awkward phrasing, and tonal consistency
- Readability and stronger expression of your intended voice
What you’ll receive
- One complete line-editing pass
- Tracked changes directly in your manuscript
- In-manuscript explanations or comments where helpful
- Routine copy-level corrections and one defined follow-up opportunity
This is line editing, not a standalone comprehensive copyediting service or a replacement for developmental editing.
Proofreading
Final editorial check
Best for: You’ve completed your revisions and earlier editing. Your manuscript is almost ready to publish.
When you’ve read your book more times than you can count, the tiniest mistakes can hide in plain sight. Proofreading is the final quality-control pass on your agreed manuscript or proof after the major editing work is done.
What we’ll focus on
- Spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors
- Typos and overlooked mechanical mistakes
- Obvious consistency slips
- A final careful review without substantial rewriting
What you’ll receive
- One complete proofreading pass on the agreed final text
- Clearly marked corrections
- One defined follow-up opportunity for questions about corrections
Proofreading does not include developmental editing, line editing, or book formatting. Manuscripts need to be ready for this final stage.
Publish-Ready Edit
Developmental + line editing + proofreading
Best for: You want a consistent editorial partner from big-picture revisions through your final polish.
This is the complete three-stage editing experience. We start with the structure and heart of your story, move to the prose after you’ve revised, and finish with a proofread once the manuscript is ready. The stages happen in order, with your revisions in between.
What we’ll focus on
- Stage 1: Developmental editing with editorial letter and comments
- Stage 2: Line editing with tracked manuscript changes
- Stage 3: Final proofreading after revisions
- A coordinated editing schedule and consistent communication
What you’ll receive
- One full editing pass at each of the three stages
- The written feedback and edited files associated with each stage
- One defined follow-up opportunity per stage
Three editorial stages are included; unlimited revision rounds, separate comprehensive copyediting, cover design, and ebook/print formatting are not.
TRANSPARENT, FIXED-PRICE EDITING
Find your editing price. Right here.
You shouldn’t need a consultation just to find out whether professional editing fits your budget. For manuscripts of 120,000 words or fewer, your cost is fixed by editing service and manuscript word-count bracket.
01 / Find your bracket
Check the word count of your completed manuscript. Use the row containing that number.
02 / Choose your service
Decide whether you need developmental editing, line editing, proofreading, or all three stages.
03 / Find your fixed price
Read the price at the intersection of your service and word-count bracket. No quote required.
Every amount shown below is a fixed package price in USD, not a starting estimate. Only manuscripts over 120,000 words require a custom price quote.
Foundation Edit
Developmental editing
| Manuscript words | Fixed price |
|---|---|
| Up to 40,000 | $895 |
| 40,001–60,000 | $1,295 |
| 60,001–80,000 | $1,695 |
| 80,001–100,000 | $2,195 |
| 100,001–120,000 | $2,595 |
More than 120,000 words? Get a custom quote.
Refinement Edit
Line editing
| Manuscript words | Fixed price |
|---|---|
| Up to 40,000 | $695 |
| 40,001–60,000 | $995 |
| 60,001–80,000 | $1,395 |
| 80,001–100,000 | $1,695 |
| 100,001–120,000 | $1,995 |
More than 120,000 words? Get a custom quote.
Proofreading
Final editorial check
| Manuscript words | Fixed price |
|---|---|
| Up to 40,000 | $325 |
| 40,001–60,000 | $475 |
| 60,001–80,000 | $675 |
| 80,001–100,000 | $850 |
| 100,001–120,000 | $995 |
More than 120,000 words? Get a custom quote.
Publish-Ready Edit
Developmental + line editing + proofreading
| Manuscript words | Fixed price |
|---|---|
| Up to 40,000 | $1,595 |
| 40,001–60,000 | $2,350 |
| 60,001–80,000 | $3,195 |
| 80,001–100,000 | $3,995 |
| 100,001–120,000 | $4,695 |
More than 120,000 words? Get a custom quote.
About scope: Each listed price covers the defined service and deliverables described above, including one complete editorial pass per included stage and a defined follow-up opportunity. Additional editing rounds or separate services are not part of that package; they are never added without a separate agreement.
Manuscripts over 120,000 words: Contact us with your total word count, genre, and the service you’re interested in so we can prepare a custom quote.
START SMALL
Wondering if professional feedback is right for you?
You don’t have to hand over the entire manuscript to get helpful direction. The First Chapter Editorial Check is a focused assessment of the opening of your book.
I’ll review what’s working in your opening, where readers might stumble, and what your story may need next, giving you practical written feedback you can apply as you revise.
First Chapter Editorial Check
$175
Up to 5,000 words
- Opening effectiveness and reader engagement
- Strengths and opportunities to improve
- Written editorial feedback
- Recommended next editing step
One focused assessment. No full-manuscript commitment.
WHAT WORKING TOGETHER LOOKS LIKE
A clear process, from your first inquiry to your next draft.
01 / Tell me about your manuscript.
Complete the inquiry form with your word count, genre, manuscript stage, and editing interests. You’ll already know the fixed price for manuscripts up to 120,000 words.
02 / Let’s talk.
We’ll schedule a free 30-minute discovery call to discuss goals, timing, and whether the editing service you’ve chosen is the right fit.
03 / Agree on the project details.
We’ll confirm the service, included deliverables, timeline, and payment arrangements before work begins. For manuscripts in the published word-count brackets, your editing package price is already listed above.
04 / Edit, revise, and move forward.
I’ll complete the agreed editing pass, share your feedback and edited manuscript, and provide the defined follow-up opportunity. Publish-Ready projects proceed stage by stage with your revisions between passes.
One important boundary: An editing package includes one complete pass per stated stage, not unlimited rewrites or ongoing revision rounds. You’ll always know the scope before we begin.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
A few things worth knowing before you book.
Are these exact prices or starting prices?
They’re exact fixed package prices for the listed services and manuscript word-count brackets through 120,000 words. You can find your price without a custom quote. Only manuscripts over 120,000 words are priced individually.
How do I know which editing service I need?
Think about what your manuscript needs most: developmental editing for the story’s structure, line editing for the prose, or proofreading for the final text. During a free discovery call, we’ll confirm the best fit before scheduling the project.
What’s included in a Publish-Ready Edit?
A developmental editing pass, time for author revisions, a line-editing pass, and a final proofreading pass, along with the agreed deliverables and a defined follow-up opportunity for each stage. It is not unlimited rounds of editing.
Will you change my writing voice?
No. My job is to strengthen clarity, craft, and the reader experience while respecting your intended voice, style, and story.
Does line editing include copyediting?
Refinement Edit focuses on line editing and includes routine copy-level corrections that arise in that work. It does not include a separate, comprehensive copyediting pass.
Do your packages include book formatting or cover design?
No. The Storytellers Group currently focuses on manuscript editing. Cover design, ebook or print formatting, and marketing services aren’t included in the editing packages.
Can I buy proofreading without developmental or line editing?
Yes, if your manuscript has already been thoroughly edited and is ready for a final proof. We’ll discuss readiness before beginning; proofreading is not a substitute for earlier editing.
Can I ask questions about my edits afterward?
Yes. Your package includes one defined follow-up opportunity for questions about the editorial feedback or corrections. Additional editing rounds or new work aren’t included unless we agree on a separate service.
YOU’VE DONE THE WRITING. LET’S TALK ABOUT WHAT COMES NEXT.
You know your story. Now you know your options.
Choose the right edit, find your price, and tell me about your book. We’ll take it from there, one thoughtful step at a time.