Work with me.

Why choose to work with me?

I'm a friendly and diligent freelance fiction editor. I would love to work with you and help make your writing shine!

I specialise in adult and YA speculative fiction (including fantasy, science fiction and horror). However, I'm happy working with other genres. I'm based in the UK, and I primarily work in British English and US English.

I'm an Intermediate member of the UK's Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP). I completed copyediting and proofreading training with the Blackford Centre for Proofreading in 2021, and I completed the CIEP's fiction editing training in 2024. I've been working with independent authors, and authors seeking traditional publication, for the last two years.

As an aspiring fiction author myself, I've experienced many of the challenges and concerns faced by authors! I also first-authored a number of peer-reviewed academic journal articles in my previous career as a healthcare researcher, so I know what it's like to have your work edited.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

I offer a free 1000-word sample edit for any project over 30,000 words. This is so you can see my editing style and decide whether I am the right editor for you. If I do not have the right expertise to help with your particular manuscript, or if I believe a different type of editing is required, then I will let you know.

For projects under 30,000 words I will request to see a representative sample of your manuscript. This is so I can check I have the right expertise to help you, and so I can ensure the chosen type of edit is appropriate for your manuscript.

My slots tend to go quickly. My lead time is typically 2-6 months, so I advise getting in touch as soon as you know which month your manuscript will be ready for professional editing.

My prices are listed below:

Developmental editing: 0.020GBP per word.
Line & copyediting: 0.015GBP per word.
Manuscript evaluation: 0.012GBP per word.

I can work in multiple currencies, including USD and EUR. I will take an up-front deposit from you upon booking (please see my Terms and Conditions), and I am happy to discuss payment plans. I'm also happy to review manuscript beginnings or partial manuscripts if that would better suit your needs and/or budget.

Subscribers to my free newsletter receive 10% off my editorial services.

If you are a member of a marginalised community (e.g. person of colour, LGBTQ+, disabled etc) then there is a 10% discount on my editorial services. My background: I'm an autistic cishet White woman based in Yorkshire, England.

TO CONFIRM: I DO NOT use generative AI in any aspect of my editorial work.

CONTACT ME

Editorial Services.

DEVELOPMENTAL OR STORY-LEVEL EDITING.

This is the service I specialise in. Developmental editing focuses on the 'big picture' view of your plot and character arcs, and the overall reading experience of your manuscript. This includes looking at and working through the following:

Characters and character arcs
Plot development and potential plot holes
Story structure and pacing
Tense and narrative viewpoint
Consistency of world-building
Target audience
Overall writing style

You will receive detailed feedback on these (and potentially other) elements of your manuscript, both within the manuscript itself and within an editorial report.

I also offer the option of a Manuscript Evaluation. This includes the editorial report, but does not include detailed feedback within the manuscript itself.

IMPORTANT: Developmental editing comes BEFORE carrying out line and copy edits on your manuscript. There is no point decorating your house if the walls and foundations are not solid!

I also strongly recommend carrying out your own rounds of developmental editing before sending your manuscript for professional editing.

CONTACT ME

LINE & COPY EDITING.

I can work with you to line and copyedit your manuscript. This includes working through and checking the following:

Narrative structure, flow and pacing
Sense and readability
Repetition of words or phrases
Consistency of tense and narrative viewpoint
Inconsistent or incorrect spelling, grammar, or punctuation

You will receive detailed feedback on these (and potentially other) elements of your manuscript, and I will provide a style sheet to show which rules and styles have been applied. I will work with you to preserve your writing style and to make your writing shine. I'm UK-based but I'm comfortable working with other varieties of English.

IMPORTANT: This step comes AFTER developmental editing.

I also strongly recommend carrying out your own rounds of line and copy editing before sending your manuscript for professional editing.

CONTACT ME

Testimonials.

"Claire has babysat me since chapter one, and I am immensely grateful for all the hard work and patience she has put into me and my story. Her wordsmithing skills, editing (both dev and copyedit), and attention to detail are top-notch and I highly recommend her services."

Tom, author of serialised litRPG

"I really appreciated the big picture and small detail approach Claire took for the developmental edit of my first draft. She gave me ideas and perspective regarding the story arc of my main characters along with noting where my language was filtering the experience of my characters. Hashing out the plot of this book and my planned sequel was invaluable, not to mention fun!"

Jeannette, author of untitled YA novel