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: starting at 2.3¢/word (USD)

➡️Check out my nonfiction editing options.

This service is perfect for indie 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.

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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)

Proofreading

Investment: starting at 1.2¢/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)

Line/Copyediting Combo

Investment: starting at 3.2¢/word (USD)

➡️Check out my nonfiction editing options.

This service is perfect for indie authors who have already worked with a developmental editor and want more sentence-level suggestions to increase impact, refine for sentence cadence and flow, and want slightly more intervention than a copyedit. You'll get the peace of mind knowing the mechanics and details are correct, but also that your sentences read as smoothly as possible and deliver the emotional impact you want your readers to feel. My goal is always to deliver the best service with a personal touch.

I will focus on:

spelling, punctuation, grammar
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

I also include these aspects of line editing:

make note of any POV issues
offer suggestions for removing excess filter words or stage direction
check dialogue formatting and tagging + solid action beats
sentence length and rhythm

What you'll get:

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

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.

The editorial letter outlines the main sorts of suggestions I've made and your overall strengths and areas of improvement.

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

💡Got questions about my editing process? I've got answers.

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)