Mini Edits

Writing a draft can take a long time and it can help to get a sense of what is going well and what needs work before you keep going. The edit is performed on a shorter piece of writing (up to 5000 words plus a synopsis) and can be done much earlier in the writing process than a manuscript evaluation or full developmental edit. 

You can also get feedback on an outline or chapter summaries. 

This is great for: 

  • Improving writing skills 

  • Checking a particular craft element such as POV, use of description and backstory, creating interiority, creating tension on a scene level, improving dialogue

  • Finding your strengths and identifying areas to improve

  • Regularly hearing the same feedback from a critique group or beta readers but needing help figuring out how to fix it 

  • Feeling confident you are on the right track after you have received feedback and applied your new skills

What it is not good for: 

  • Solving big picture problems in a story 

  • Identifying plot problems 

  • Getting to the root of issues with character arc or motivation 

  • Fixing grammar or punctuation 

What you will receive:

  1. A 2-3 page letter identifying what is working well and where you need to improve. I will make sure to take into account what you any areas you want to focus on improving. 

  2. The manuscript with comments and suggestions added throughout using margin comments function in Word. 

  3. It will not include any tracked changes. If I have suggestions for new ways to word something I will include examples in the margins and the letter. 

Investment: $200 USD (add a feedback call for an additional $75 USD)

Want on-going feedback without the extra coaching support? Get 10 mini edits for $1800 USD

*Canadian clients can receive their invoice in CAD

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Every manuscript is a bit different and editing time depends on length of the manuscript and the complexity of the edit. Turnaround times for mini edits will generally take about 2 weeks. Manuscript critiques take around 3-4 weeks and a full developmental edit will take 4-5 weeks. Timelines will be included in your estimate and agreed upon in the contract.

  • 1. Send me a message via the contact form or email with details about your project including word count, deadlines, and your publishing goals.

    2. Once I am clear on the right service for you I will request you send the full manuscript in MS Word (industry standard) or in the case of the mini edit, the sample of writing you want edited up to 5000 words. I do need to see a full manuscript in order to give the best estimate.

    3. If you are booking a manuscript critique or full developmental edit I will provide a sample edit on a few pages to make sure we are a good fit. Sample edits are not available for the mini edit.

    4. Along with the sample edit, I will send you an estimate of the cost and timeline.

    5. Once we agree on terms, I will send an invoice for the initial payment. Mini edits require payment in full before work begins, but critiques and developmental edits require 25% of the invoice up front to hold the spot in my schedule.

    6. Once the edit is complete, I will send an invoice for the remainder of the payment along with the edited manuscript.

    7. After reviewing your edits and taking some time to think them over, you will have the opportunity to send me a list of questions which I will answer over email or zoom. This is available for manuscript critiques and full developmental edits only.

  • Yes, of course. Your manuscript is kept secure and confidential. Not sharing work is an essential part of being an editor.

  • Payments can be made directly through the invoice using a credit card. I can also accept direct bank transfers through Wise.

    *Canadian clients can request their invoice in CAD and pay through interac e-transfer.

  • I don’t because reading a manuscript for big pictures issues is quite different from reading it for the nitty gritty types of things that you look for in a copyedit or proofread. My strengths are in crafting great story elements. So that is what I focus on. That said, if I notice some egregious errors you can bet I will point them out. I do tend to notice consistency errors so I often flag those in any edit.

  • I do not include fact checking as part of the editing process. Although I have a background in social science research, I am not an expert on any particular historical time period. I do read a lot of history and historical fiction but that doesn’t quite make me an expert. What I will focus on is how the history is used to enhance the story. And yes, if something strikes me as erroneous I will certainly pop in a question about it so that you can check its accuracy.

  • I do not use AI when editing. My edits are 100% human-powered. I prefer not to work on manuscripts that are substantially written with AI but I don’t have a problem with writers using AI as an assistant for brainstorming, editing, and refining ideas.

  • Yes! I am based in British Columbia, Canada but I work with clients all around the world.