For authors pursuing traditional publishing
For most first-time authors, we recommend starting with some form of content editing. Because most publishers include copyediting as part of the publishing process, you generally don’t need to pay for editing before the querying stage (unless you have gotten specific feedback from agents advising you to work on style issues). We can offer advice about what kind of editing is right for you as part of our free sample edit. Typical prices are listed below; you will be given a firm price quote with your sample edit.
Partial edits
Fast feedback
Stuck on a plot point? Want feedback on your opening that you can apply to the rest of your novel? Need feedback on a query letter or synopsis? A fast feedback session allows you to get speedy, targeted advice to keep you moving forward. How it works:
Kristen will spend an hour providing the feedback you request, getting as far into the material as possible. This is usually enough time to line edit a query letter and/or synopsis, provide content advice for a first chapter, evaluate the plot arc of an entire novel, or line edit 5-7 pages.
After you receive the feedback, you can follow-up with a half-hour Zoom session to ask and answer questions, or get your questions answered via email.
Only one fast feedback session is available each week.
$150 per session
Submission package edit
Targeted feedback on each component of your submission package.
Copyedit of query letter and synopsis; as many rounds as needed (typically requires 2–4 hours for both)
Content feedback and/or copyedit of first pages, between 5 and 50
Optional follow-up support via Zoom, phone, or email
$70/hour, with 3-hour minimum
Content editing
Manuscript evaluation
A streamlined content edit to identify the major strengths and weaknesses of your novel and get guidance on revisions.
One read-through of your entire manuscript
A seven-to-ten page editorial letter discussing areas of strength and weaknesses, as well as suggestions for revision
One hour of follow-up support via Zoom, phone, or email (additional support, including chapter workshopping, available at an hourly rate)
$900 for 60–80k words
$1,000 for 80–100k words
$1,100 for 100k+ words
Content edit
A manuscript evaluation to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your novel and get guidance on revisions. Includes:
Two read-throughs of your entire manuscript
A ten-to-fifteen page editorial letter discussing areas of strength and weaknesses, as well as suggestions for revision
Detailed manuscript comments linked to recommendations in the editorial letter and noting smaller issues
A story spreadsheet summarizing every scene of the novel and tracking its important details
A suggested revision plan tailored to the strengths and weaknesses of your novel
A Trello board to organize our work together and provide helpful resources on the self-publishing process
Two hours of follow-up support via Zoom, phone, or email to answer questions or workshop revisions (additional support available at an hourly rate)
$0.03/word
$2,100 for 70,000 words
Additional services
Coaching
For authors who want additional support during the writing or revising process, we offer one-off coaching sessions. Available only to authors who have already completed one of the editing services above.