Services | Fiction and Nonfiction Editing

If you’re worried an editor will slash and burn your manuscript and interfere with your voice so much you’ll barely recognize your story, I get it. The fear is valid and real. My goal is always to respect your vision, enhance your voice, and suggest tweaks that will help readers escape into your story just the way you saw it in your head when you wrote it. Your vision come to life!

Here’s how I can help make your manuscript the best it can be.

Copyediting

Investment: 2.5¢/word (USD)

➡️Check out my line/copyedit combo service
➡️Check out my nonfiction editing options

This service is perfect for authors who have already worked with a developmental editor and/or line editor (or done many rounds of self-editing and worked with beta readers) and are now happy with all big-picture elements. You're now ready for a meticulous copyeditor to take care of the technical details and make sure everything is consistent so readers stay happily immersed in the story.

I will focus on:

spelling, punctuation, grammar
word usage and other mechanics of style
consistency in capitalization and hyphenation
consistency in abbreviations, numbers, and names
overall clarity, consistency, and correctness
flagging any continuity errors

You'll receive:

the edited file with track changes + a clean copy
a style sheet

The style sheet includes all the style decisions on capitalization, hyphenation, abbreviations, numbering (usually using the Chicago Manual of Style), along with details about the main characters, locations, and plot points to keep everything consistent across the whole book. This is also really valuable if you're writing a series and want to keep track of details across many books.

Prices subject to change based on the nature of the project. Once I see a sample of your manuscript, I can provide a detailed proposal tailored to your needs.

Get Started

Working with Erika was a collaborative & empowering experience

“Erika’s meticulous editing of my manuscript not only corrected grammar errors but also significantly improved its clarity and coherence. Her insightful suggestions guided me toward areas that needed further elaboration, enhancing the overall quality of my book. Working with Erika was a collaborative and empowering experience, as she respected my voice while offering valuable feedback. Her professionalism and dedication ensured that the manuscript evolved into a polished and refined piece of work. I highly recommend Erika to any author looking to elevate their writing and refine their manuscript.”

J.R. Szpila
author of The Stars Who Bleed (YA fantasy)

Proofreading

Investment: 1.5¢/word (USD)

➡️Check out my nonfiction editing options

If you've worked with an editor and want a final quality check, this service is for you.

It helps to have a professional go over your document one last time before sending it to the printer or uploading to Amazon. Proofreading is done by marking up a PDF of the final formatted file. I use Adobe Reader's digital mark-up tools. If you're publishing an ebook, I would work on your final edited Word document.

I will focus on:

spelling, punctuation, grammar
consistency in capitalization and hyphenation
consistency in abbreviations, numbers, and names
accuracy of running heads (headers and footers)
widows/orphans and short lines
end-of-line hyphenation
TOC, pagination, cross-references

You will receive:

the marked-up PDF (or Word doc for ebooks)
a basic style sheet (if you don't already have one from your copyeditor)

The style sheet includes all the style decisions on capitalization, hyphenation, abbreviations, numbering, word list (usually using the Chicago Manual of Style).

Prices subject to change based on the nature of the project. Once I see a sample of your manuscript, I can provide a detailed proposal tailored to your needs.

Get Started

Working with Erika was a breeze

“Erika came highly recommended and I am thankful that I worked with her. Erika guided me through the proofreading process, answered all of my questions and concerns, and delivered a bulletproof manuscript.

Working with Erika was a breeze and I’m thrilled with the final results. I’m sending off my novel that she proofread out to the world without a concern. Erika is going to be the proofreader that I turn to for all of my work going forward.”

Luis Paredes
author of Headhunters (horror thriller)

More Editing Services

Nonfiction Editing

I also edit select nonfiction books. Check out my portfolio of past books edited to see if we're a good fit!

Custom Story Databases

Overwhelmed by keeping your worldbuilding details in order? I'll make you a story database and you'll never lose track again.

Short Stories & Novellas

Get in touch if you have a speculative short story or novella you really want to get out there.

I look forward to leaning on her expertise anytime I need a manuscript reviewed

“Erika’s editing prowess is everything I needed to get my manuscript in tip-top shape for publication. Her thorough and methodical review helped to ensure all levels of the story’s rollout were under consideration for readers. This included line editing elements, such as word choice, phrasing, as well as clarity and consistency in style, grammar, and punctuation.

Erika is able to easily piggyback off a writer’s tone and make sure her suggestions reflect their style, an important quality in a good editor. They say it’s the little things that make the big things happen, and Erika’s attention to detail has guaranteed my work is in its best form for a pleasant reading experience. I highly recommend her.”

Ryan Hyatt
author of Bob's Pest Control (sci-fi)

My Editing Process

✨ Just a reminder, I specialize in speculative genres (especially sci-fi, fantasy, horror) and don't edit romance genres (except romantasy). I offer copyediting and proofreading but not evaluations or developmental editing. I do, however, know a ton of great editors who do! Get in touch and I'll refer you.

Here are the steps you can expect when hiring me as your editor.

Join my waitlist (or fill out my contact form):
- Once you're on the waitlist, every month you'll have access to new editing spots that open up. I don't book farther than three months out for new clients, so this is the best way to stay on top of new openings.
- If you've filled out my contact form, I'll confirm receipt within a business day and ask a few more clarifying questions to make sure we're a good fit.
- If we're not (usually because of a genre mismatch or I don't provide the editing service you need), I am happy to connect you with other editors in my network you could contact.
Making sure we're a good fit:
- Once you're ready to claim an editing spot, I will offer to do a free sample edit of 1,000 words from the middle of your manuscript (just to make sure we're on the same page with project scope and deliverables). I'll send you a short proposal with cost and timeline.
- I will also give the option to book a 30-min Zoom call to ask any questions you might have and to make absolutely sure it's a good fit for both of us.
- Feel free to ask me all the questions you like and check my testimonials or ask for references.
Booking me for editing:
- If you decide you want to work with me, I'll send you an editing contract to sign, which puts us on the same page in terms of expectations, timeline, payment deadlines.
- Once you've returned the signed contract, I will send an invoice for a 20% nonrefundable booking deposit to secure your spot in my future schedule.
Invoicing:
- A week before I start editing, I will send you an invoice for 40% of the total fee.
- The remaining 40% will be due right before I send you the edited manuscript.
Turnaround time:
- It will usually take me between 2-5 weeks to finish editing your book, depending on word count.
- A 50K novel will be closer to 2-3 weeks.
- 100K or more words tends to be 4-6 weeks.
- And proofreading jobs can be faster, between 1-2 weeks.
Style guides and dictionaries:
- I most often use the Chicago Manual of Style for fiction editing and the Merriam Webster dictionary (for US spelling). I'm also experienced with Canadian spelling.
Communication expectations:
- While I'm editing your manuscript, I will follow up via email every Friday with an update on my progress, especially for longer projects.
- You can feel free to email me with any questions at any time.
Deliverables:
- You will receive the edited document in Microsoft Word with Track Changes and comments in the margin.
- A clean copy with all changes accepted for easier reading.
- And a style sheet (a full one for copyediting and a more basic one for proofreading jobs, if you don't have one from your copyeditor already).
Post-edit clean-up pass:
- Once you receive your edited manuscript back, it's your turn to go through and accept/reject my suggestions, then make any minor additions.
- I will check those additions and send you back a cleaned-up version ready for formatting.
Optional wrap-up 30-minute Zoom call:
- You'll have an opportunity to ask any questions about my edits or next steps for your book. And of course it's fun to just celebrate being one step closer to publishing your book!