‘Do I Dare Disturb the Universe?’ — T.S. Eliot
Jessica Calvert
Because a good story deserves great editing.
Writing weakens with sloppy syntax, repetition, plot holes, clichés, and other avoidable issues. I work with you to refine what gets between the reader and your story.
Editing isn’t one-size-fits-all. Here’s how to know what you need — and if you’re ready.
Developmental Editing
Who it’s for: Writers who have a complete manuscript and need help with structure, pacing, and overall storytelling.
What it does: Looks at the big picture — plot arcs, character development, themes, consistency, flow. Provides margin comments + an editorial letter.
What it doesn’t do: This is not line-by-line editing or proofreading.
Line Editing
Who it’s for: Writers with a solid draft who need sharper sentences, stronger rhythm, and clarity at the paragraph/page level.
What it does: Focuses on language, tone, and flow. I tighten prose, cut repetition, and strengthen your style while keeping your voice intact.
What it doesn’t do: Doesn’t address large-scale story/structural issues (that’s developmental).
Copyediting
Who it’s for: Writers with a polished manuscript ready for final cleanup before submission or publication.
What it does: Corrects grammar, usage, punctuation, consistency, and formatting. Ensures your manuscript is clean and professional.
What it doesn’t do: Won’t reshape sentences for flow or restructure chapters.
What I Edit
- Novels and novellas
- Short stories and short story collections
- Genres I focus on: literary, psychological, gothic, and other dark fiction, as well as contemporary work that falls outside my exclusions. If you’re unsure, feel free to ask.
What I Don’t Edit
- Romance, fantasy, sci-fi, YA, or fanfiction
- Academic, technical, or business writing
- Nonfiction
- Poetry
- First drafts or incomplete manuscripts
- Projects over 100,000 words
If you’re still reading, odds are your project’s my kind of story. Let’s talk rates and how I work.
Novels and Novellas (per-word rates)
- Developmental Editing — $0.035/word
- Line Editing — $0.03/word
- Copyediting — $0.25/word
*Hybrid edits (two types combined) are billed at the higher rate. A full hybrid covering all three types is billed at $0.06/word.
Short Stories
- Developmental Editing — $0.035 per word (minimum $200)
- Line Editing — $0.03 per word (minimum $160
- Copyediting — $0.025 per word (minimum $120)
How pricing works: Minimum fees act as a base for shorter works. For pieces over 4,000 words, rates are calculated at the per-word amount, whichever total is higher. You’ll never be double-charged — the minimum simply ensures shorter projects are worth the time and focus they require.
Additional Notes— I work with projects that are at least five pages (about 1,500 words). Turnaround varies depending on the length and complexity of the manuscript. Every project is confirmed with a short contract that outlines the work, deadlines, and payment terms.
If you’re curious how these compare to industry norms, the EFA keeps a public rate chart here—and there’s a calculator if you want a quick estimate on your project.
Word Count Guide— For reference, I use standard publishing ranges: short story (up to 7,500 words), novelette (7,500–17,500), novella (17,500–40,000), novel (40,000+).
Not sure if you’re ready to book a full manuscript edit? I offer paid sample edits of 8–10 pages so you can see exactly how I approach your work. Samples are available for copy and line editing only. Developmental editing cannot be sampled—story-level feedback requires full-manuscript context. For longer projects (novels, novellas, short-story collections), the sample should come from consecutive pages.
Paid samples follow my per-word rates with an 8-page minimum. Samples are not available for standalone stories under 20 pages.