Where did the name “Editing Alchemy” come from?

I wanted the name of my business to reflect the science, art, and magic of editing. Something truly magical happens during the process of revisions, refining a piece of work into the shining gold that a reader can access. It’s a process that combines formal training in the rules of grammar, spelling, punctuation and style (the “science”), instinct for story, writing craft, and character development (the “art”), and the collaboration between author and editor (the “magic”). That’s the alchemy of editing.

Why should I trust you to work on my book?

I started as a voracious and passionate reader who wanted to see fewer editing mishaps in the published books I read. Words and English grammar (along with an eagle eye for errors) were already a strength of mine, but after doing some amateur editing for a friend, I wanted a more formal education than editing by gut. I attended the University of Washington’s editing program, exiting as a certified editor. I am a member of several professional organizations, including the Editorial Freelance Association and the Northwest Editors Guild. I continue to do coursework, further developing my skills in copyediting, language use, and writing craft. Check out my testimonials for statements from authors I’ve worked with.

How do I know what level of editing my novel needs?

Don’t worry, many authors don’t know which stage of editing would most benefit their manuscript in its current state. I offer a free sample edit of 2,000 words, allowing me to assess the manuscript, and 15-minute live consultation to help me understand your needs. Between these two free services, I will recommend the service that will best suit the current manuscript, as well as a quote for the cost. There will be no secrets or surprises between us.

How much will it cost?

Frustratingly, this answer is “it depends”. It depends on the level of editing your manuscript needs, your word count, and even within the level of editing, how much work there is to be done. The good news is, I offer free sample edits. To get a quote for your full manuscript, send me up to 2,000 words from the middle of your manuscript (middle is important, because the beginning and the end have usually held more of the author’s time and attention, and therefore may need a different level of work than the rest of the manuscript), and I will send you a quote. I have never had to adjust this initial quote, but if the need arises, we will address it immediately before continuing work.

I already self-edit. Can’t I just skip editing?

Self-editing is a great start, but it’s always a good idea to get a fresh set of eyes on your book before publication. When you’re so close to the work, it’s easy to read what you intended to express, rather than what the reader will see. Even editors need editors to comb through their writing to catch mistakes. I will hold a mirror to your work, allowing you to see your story as the reader sees it. I’ll keep track of the limbs in the love scenes, query whether Jon, John, and Jonathan all occupying the same story might be confusing to readers, or find that stray double “and” that your eyes might skip right over. Editing is a conversation that begins with collaboration and mutual respect.

Will you tear my writing to shreds?

Handing over your art, your passion, your soul-on-the-page to be edited can be incredibly vulnerable, and I edit to honor that vulnerability with respect. I am proud to be one of your story’s earliest fans, and will fight alongside you to make its greatness shine. I offer compassionate, uplifting edits, with actionable feedback, valuing collaboration over correction. Ultimately, it’s your book, filled with your words, and your name (or pen name) on the cover. You have complete control over the final product and whether you find my suggestions appropriate. What’s most important is clear communication of the story from the author to their reader.

Is there any material you won’t work with?

I prefer working with fiction in long format, but I am also open to working with short stories, individual chapters or partial novels for contest or agent submissions, and cleaning up blog posts and personal website articles. I adore fanfiction and erotica, among other short format or episodic works (like those published through Ream or Kindle Vella) and I believe those stories deserve the respect of being told well. I will not automatically exclude work that will be published with a content warning. Contact me if you’re concerned that the content of your writing might turn an editor away. I approach all my clients’ work with respect and curiosity, and that applies to potentially triggering material as well.

I don’t prefer to work with long-format nonfiction, especially since there are many amazing editors who specialize in nonfiction genres and would be a better fit. I will not work with any subject matter glorifying hate.

I write [dark/super spicy/erotic/violent] books. Are you actually comfortable with this?

Short answer? Yes. Like many readers, I thoroughly enjoy reading a wide variety of books—including romance and other erotic stories—and studied editing so that I could give those books the same respectful treatment as any other literature. I value curiosity over judgement, and firmly believe shame has no place in our author/editor relationship. I am an advocate for visible diversity, which means not only showcasing racial diversity and the LGBTQ+ spectrum, but also diverse representation of disability, kink, and body shape. Let’s find out if I’m the right fit for your project by scheduling a meeting or starting with a free sample edit of up to 2,000 words.  

What exactly is a sample edit?

A sample edit serves both of us. It allows me to assess the project in its current state, offer a recommendation for editing services, and prepare a quote for the full work. It also acts as a trial run for your editor. With a representative sample of up to 2,000 of your words, I will perform my edits at either the editing level previously agreed upon or the editing level I recommend. This gives you a chance to see how I work and determine whether I am a good fit for your project, and allows me to prepare an accurate quote for the full manuscript.

How do we get started?

I like to start off with either a video/phone call to meet each author and get a feel for their style, needs, and preferences. If real-time conversation isn’t your thing, that’s not a problem! Send me a message about the services you’re curious about, along with a sample of up to 2,000 words of your work. This sample should be from the middle of your novel—the beginning and end tend to get more attention from the author than the rest of the manuscript, so the middle gives me a better snapshot of what the project needs. From that snapshot, I’ll prepare a recommendation of editing level, a sample edit of that excerpt, and a quote. Finally, we’ll chat about whether I’m a good fit for your project, contract terms, timelines, and all that exciting red tape. Ready to start the conversation? Contact me to get going!