Line editing involves examining your writing on a line-by-line basis to improve flow, style and readability.
Line editing is an earlier stage to copyediting. I will carefully work through your manuscript line by line to see where the word choice, flow and sentence structure can be improved, while taking care to retain your unique author’s voice. (Find out about my combo line and copyediting service to save you time and money.)
As a writer myself, I understand the need to find a trustworthy, dependable editor, someone who will give your work the same level of care and attention that you have given it.
I line-edit a variety of content, including:
- novels, short stories and children’s books
- nonfiction books across a variety of genres
- web content
🇫🇷 I specialise in books set in France due to my French degree from the University of Oxford and my experience living and working in France.
What you get
My line-editing service checks for many elements, including:
- line-by-line word choice
- consistency of writer’s voice and tone
- overall flow and pacing
- repetition, clichés, malapropisms
- confusing phrasing
- telling and showing
- issues with point of view (POV)
I will also provide you with:
- a bespoke style sheet, showing details of editorial decisions made and language styles used. This is useful to ensure consistency now and in the future, and is something you can use as a basis for a style guide. For fiction edits, the style sheet also includes a detailed list of characters and a brief timeline of events.
- a short editorial report indicating what works well in your manuscript and recurring issues that may have cropped up. My clients love this report, as it helps them to improve their writing!
- regular progress updates and unlimited email support during the project
🌳 For every 20,000 words I edit, I will donate to Just One Tree to plant a tree. So, if your book is 100,000 words, that’s five new trees in the world! Find out more about how I’m a sustainable editor.
Delivery of line-editing results
I will return your manuscript in the format in which it was provided (Microsoft Word or Google Docs), with full tracked changes. There will also be many comments throughout, explaining why certain changes have been suggested, and queries that have cropped up along the way.
I can also provide on request a ‘clean’ copy, with all changes accepted and comments removed.
Take a look at my portfolio of my favourite book projects.
What my clients say
Pricing for line editing
My average hourly rate adheres to industry standards as advised by the Certified Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), of which I am a Professional Member. The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) has also confirmed that my rates are appropriate to my service level, reach and reputation.
As you can see, my prices are highly competitive and depend on elements such as the length and complexity of your book, and how many changes are needed. You can get a rough idea from the figures below, but every book is different. (I accept all major currencies and will use the official exchange rate on XE.com at the time of sending your quote.)
Please get in touch to discuss your needs.
Indicative prices for fiction line editing
| Number of words | Cost |
|---|---|
| 50,000 words | £1,230 (£0.024 per word) |
| 70,000 words | £1,670 (£0.0235 per word) |
| 90,000 words | £2,080 (£0.023 per word) |
Indicative prices for nonfiction line editing
| Number of words | Cost |
|---|---|
| 30,000 words | £890 (£0.029 per word) |
| 50,000 words | £1,430 (£0.028 per word) |
| 70,000 words | £1,940 (£0.027 per word) |
Save 10% off your next edit
I offer a referral scheme, by which you and a fellow author or business can enjoy 10% off your next edit! Simply refer a potential client to me, and if they hire me for a full edit or proofread, they will get 10% off their first edit. What's more, you will also get 10% off your next edit or proofread. Everyone's a winner!
Sample edit
I can provide a sample edit so that you can 'try before you buy'. If you are comparing my work with that of other editors (very sensible approach!), please send us the same sample so that you can accurately compare services.
Simply provide a sample of up to 2,500 words, and for £80, I'll provide a line edit and a short editorial report containing advice that you can apply to your whole book.
If you then hire me for a full edit, I will deduct the cost of the sample edit from the total amount.
I can also provide a sample edit that shows the difference between line editing and copyediting for £100. I'll carry out both a line edit and a copyedit on the same section, so you can compare the two services.
Line edit of your first 10,000 words
Editing can seem expensive due to the time, skill and experience required to do it properly. If you'd rather not commit to an edit of your complete manuscript, I can work on the first 10,000 words of your book.
Agents often request a sample of around this word count, so this is your chance to polish those first 10,000 words before querying.
You will also receive a bespoke style sheet and an editorial report, containing details that you can apply to your whole manuscript.
The cost of a line edit of your first 10,000 words is £350.
A combined line edit and copyedit of your first 10,000 words costs £400.
Interested?
Contact me today to discuss your requirements.
Please read my contract of services for full details of what to expect regarding service, payment and contractual arrangements.