Editing Services

Ready for a personalized professional edit? Curious how I approach our editing partnership? You’re in the right spot, friend!

Below are descriptions for each of my offered services. More information can be found in my FAQs.

If you have additional questions or need help choosing your service, please feel free to reach out to me (with no obligation) through the inquiry form below, my Contact Page, or the floating blue Chat bubble in the bottom right corner.

Looking forward to chatting with you soon!

DEVELOPMENTAL EDIT

Content & Structure

Story analysis

This service examines the content and structure of your manuscript. I analyze all relevant “big picture” story elements, such as plot, narrative arc, pacing, world building, character development, voice, and logic and consistency, drawing your attention to what works well and what could be improved.

Feedback is provided in a comprehensive editorial report and manuscript annotations using Track Changes.

Rate: $0.035/word
Project Minimum: $400

COPY / LINE EDIT

Writing Syntax

Paragraph and line analysis

This service improves readability and clarifies the focus and intention of each line while preserving your voice. I address and suggest ways to clarify content and logic; improve sentence structure; correct grammar and spelling issues; and ensure the manuscript conforms to a consistent style. I will also create and provide a dedicated style sheet documenting style decisions for your story.

Suggested changes and queries are marked in your manuscript using Track Changes.

Rate: $0.025/word

PROOFREAD

Technical Accuracy

Word-by-word analysis

This service is the final step after all professional editing is complete to catch any remaining or accidentally introduced errors, ensuring your story is ready for the world. I meticulously review for typographical errors, grammatical correctness, and punctuation. This includes text and formatting errors for typeset documents.

Suggested changes and queries are marked in your manuscript using Track Changes or Adobe Acrobat Markup.

Rate: $0.02/word

All prices are in USD and payment plans are available for larger projects (details here).

Want more information or have questions? Check out my FAQs!

Here you’ll find details on my editing philosophy, service contracts, and more.

FAQs

The Editing Experience

Let’s chat!
After your inquiry email arrives in my inbox, I’ll reach out so we can discuss your writing goals and determine if we’re a great match. We’ll cover your ideas, intentions, and concerns for your manuscript; your chosen editing service; and (if desired) your free sample edit and my feedback.
Make it official
If you decide I’m a great fit, we’ll make our partnership official! We’ll discuss and sign your editing service contract and I’ll request your service deposit. You are on your way to publishing with confidence.
Edit with intention
Taking all of the information from our previous discussions, I begin meticulously working through your manuscript. If I have any questions along the way, I’ll be sure to shoot you an email. Please feel free to follow up with me at any time during this process with additional thoughts.
Discuss Q&As
Once my edits are complete, I’ll send you the final product and any accompanying documents. I am happy to answer follow-up questions or explain suggested changes or ideas for improvement in greater detail. I know working your way through edits can take time (literally and emotionally), so if you have questions as you go, just reach out.
Celebrate!
You’ve done it, friend! You have taken a huge step towards publishing with confidence. I love to hear as clients achieve their publishing dreams, so please don’t hesitate to keep me in the loop.

Client Experiences

It was great working with Kimberly. I wanted a copyeditor who would be tough on me and my work and she was. She especially improved my writing by pointing out where I had a redundancy of ideas and words. It was easy to see how some things needed to be cut after she pointed them… Read more → “Copy Edit Testimonial: David Biesty”

David Biesty, The Outcast Missing Someone

Kimberly did a fantastic job of analyzing my manuscript, pointing out areas that needed some finessing or work, and acknowledging the areas that worked really well. She offered great insights and was available for all of my questions. I would use her again, without question.

Glen Gabel

I loved working with The Trusty Bookmark! I let them know what kind of feedback I was looking for and in return I got back exactly that and more! The inline edits were so much fun! I loved the little helpful hints they left throughout my manuscript and they even pointed out things that they… Read more → “Developmental Edit Testimonial: Alexis C.”

Alexis C.

Kimberly’s beta read was thorough, thoughtful, and invigorating. The depth and perceptiveness of her commentary blew me away. There’s no other way to put it: you want Kimberly and the Trusty Bookmark to look at your manuscript. Stop shopping around and go with her.

Paul Hamann

I found The Trusty Bookmark while working on my first YA fantasy book. I didn’t really know what to expect going in since this was my first developmental edit, but I was blown away by what I got. The entire experience was fantastic, beginning with the initial correspondence where Kimberly asked questions regarding my inspiration… Read more → “Developmental Edit Testimonial: Kelsey P.”

Kelsey P.

I just finished reading through everything and wanted to start off saying thank you so much for all the work and effort you put into this. I know how time consuming it must have been, and the detail and organization you put into it is amazing. I know it needs a lot of work, and… Read more → “Developmental Edit Testimonial: Andre Balanji”

Andre Balanji

The Editing Experience

Client Experiences

Editing Service Inquiry