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Work with me.

"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

Why choose to work with me?

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If you are a fiction author or publisher, then I would love to work with you and help make your writing shine!

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I specialise in speculative fiction (including fantasy, science fiction and horror). However, I'm happy working with other genres.

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I'm an entry level 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 primarily with independent authors for the last eighteen months.

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I'm friendly, diligent, and approachable. As an aspiring author myself, I have experienced many of the challenges and concerns faced by authors! Therefore, I will do my best to help you on your own writing and publishing journey.

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Authors: for any project over 20,000 words I offer a free 1000 word sample edit of a representative section of your manuscript. This is so I can offer you an accurate quote for the work, so you can see my editing style, and so you can 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.

Editing Services.

DEVELOPMENTAL OR STORY-LEVEL EDITING

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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

  • Consistency of tense and narrative viewpoint

  • Consistency of world-building

  • Target audience

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

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IMPORTANT: This step 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 finished!

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

 

Please see the resources page for further guidance on the writing and editing process.

 

LINE & COPY EDITING

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I can work with you to line and copyedit your manuscript. This basically means smoothing the flow of your manuscript and correcting inconsistent or incorrect descriptions, spelling, punctuation and grammar. This includes working through and checking the following:

  • 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

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You will receive detailed feedback on these (and potentially other) elements of your manuscript, and I will give you 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 variations of English (e.g. US).

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IMPORTANT: This step comes AFTER developmental editing.

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

 

Please see the resources page for further guidance on the writing and editing process.

BETA READING

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Do you need a beta reader for your work? I can provide a written report detailing my experience as a reader of your manuscript.

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I can also work with you to assess representation of characters and events which fall into the categories listed below, particularly where you do not have lived experiences of these yourself. I have direct first-hand experience of the following:

  • Living as a female and the challenges that brings (although please note I am white, cisgender and heterosexual)

  • Living with mental health issues (depression, post-natal depression, and anxiety)

  • Life in northern England (especially the Yorkshire region)

  • Death of a parent in childhood

  • Pregnancy, miscarriage, childbirth, and motherhood

  • Thirteen years' experience as a healthcare researcher in the pharmaceutical industry, public health, and academia (including teaching, project management and research publication)

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I can review either the full manuscript or a sub-section of the manuscript, depending on your budget and preference.

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