Finding the right editor is a little like shopping for shoes. Fit is so important. After years of experience, we’ve cultivated an understanding of what projects are right for us; we know you have the same desire–to find an editor that’s right for YOU. We hope that Midnight Owl Editors can meet your needs, but if we can’t, we will do our best to refer you to an editor that can.
Emily loves character-driven stories of all genres, particularly those that are intricate and full of adventure and world-building. She has particular experience editing Mystery/Suspense, Regency Romance, as well as Historical and Contemporary Romance, Women’s Fiction, and Fantasy.
*Jenny is currently closed to new clients* Jenny specializes in Romance, including the following subgenres: Historical/Regency, Contemporary, Inspirational, and Young Adult. She also has experience editing Women’s Fiction and Middle Grade.
Read below to find out how to schedule your free 1500 word sample edit.
Note: Midnight Owl Editors generally stay booked several weeks in advance, so we recommend scheduling ahead. If you’re on a tighter timeline, expedited services are available for an additional fee. Cancellations do occasionally happen, so it can’t hurt to reach out! Let us know what you need and we’ll do our best to accommodate as soon as possible.
Plot consultation/Brainstorming: $50/half-hour; $80/hour
We love to talk plot. Where is your story trying to go? How can you get it there more effectively? Why aren’t your characters cooperating? How can you fix the giant plot hole in the middle? If you’re feeling stumped, we are ready to help. From characterization to conflict, sometimes a great brainstorming session is all you need to get back on track.
FOCUSED EDITS
Simple Story Edit: $30/10k words; minimum charge $150
A simple story edit includes a full read of a manuscript to address general story issues. Does the plot work? Do characters feel authentic? Is the conflict realistic? Feedback will be given in document form (no line edits or in-text comments) and is generally several pages long. For manuscripts shorter than 30k words, please contact us for a personalized quote.
Developmental Edit: $60-$90*/10,000 words
A developmental edit digs deep, identifying specific places in your manuscript where you can strengthen your story. It includes in-text notes as well as a comprehensive edit letter addressing issues relating to plot, pacing, structure, point of view, theme, conflict, tone, and characterization. A developmental edit also includes a thirty-minute phone consultation, if desired, and continued email support during the revision process.
*Price adjusted on a sliding scale according to the extent of edits required.
Line Edit: $70/10,000 words
A line edit digs into your manuscript on the sentence level. It addresses word choice and weak language, crutch phrases and cliches, passive vs. active voice, showing vs. telling, and overall sentence structure. A line edit is meant to be instructive, to help you build better habits as a writer and elevate your writing. A line edit does not address story issues, nor should it be treated as a final copy edit. While we will point out errors that you make habitually, line edits require author revision post-edit to apply suggestions, thus preserving authorial integrity and voice.
Copy Edit: $70/10,000 words
A copy edit is best for polished manuscripts that are ready for a final pre-publishing edit, with a focus on, grammar, spelling, formatting, typos, and style consistency in accordance with industry-standard style guides. Copy edits DO NOT address story/plot issues, and do not include line-level comments. A style sheet may be purchased for an additional $25 charge.
Proofreading: $35/10,000 words
Proofreading consists of a final once-over to catch missing words, misspelled words, and missing or incorrect punctuation. It does not include formatting or style issues. If, while proofreading, we find that your manuscript requires the deeper attention of a copy edit, you will be charged the higher copy editing fee.
COMBINATION EDITS
Comprehensive Edit: $85/10,000 words
Previously called a complex edit, a comprehensive edit is geared toward writers who are working with an editor for the first time and are actively growing their skills. It is designed to be instructive, helping you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your writing so that you can see what you need to work on to take your writing to the next level. It is not meant to prepare your work for immediate publication, but to help you become a better writer, generally addressing story issues (plot, conflict, characterization), line-level habits and trends (sentence structure, word choice, language use), and the basics of copy editing (grammar, punctuation, formatting). Though this edit does provide both line and developmental feedback, because it only includes one pass of your manuscript, it will not be as in depth as the single pass line or single pass developmental edit.
Advanced Comprehensive: $70/10,000 words
Preapproval and/or previous edit history required. This edit offers a combination of story and line-level feedback for more advanced manuscripts.
Multiple Passes Discount
Receive a $5 discount per 10,000 words on each edit (Developmental, Line and Copy) when you book multiple passes on the same manuscript. Edits will be scheduled with time for you to revise in between passes, according to your writing schedule. Discount does not apply to Proofreading or Simple Story Edits.
If, while editing, we find that your manuscript needs something different than what you hired us for, we’ll reach out and discuss your options before moving forward. We do not want to waste your money or our time, so we’ll work together to make sure we do what’s best for you.
Do you need something that isn’t on this list? Please reach out and let us know what you’re looking for and we’ll give you a personalized quote.
Submission Guidelines: For ease of editing, Midnight Owl Editors prefer submissions as email attachments in .docx format; double spaced, Times New Roman, 12 pt font. Please add page numbers as well as a page header that includes your author and manuscript name.
To inquire and/or schedule services, please use the contact form linked below. For new clients we may, at our discretion, request to review a writing sample to determine if we are a good fit for your writing level and/or experience. Likewise, if requested, we will provide a sample edit of up to 1500 words free of charge to help you decide if we are the right editor(s) for your work. Not sure what level of edit is right for you? Ask for a sample edit, and we will make a recommendation based on the sample. If interested in a sample edit prior to booking services, please indicate when filling out the form. Flexible scheduling and/or rush edits available for an additional fee. Please inquire for more information.
Editing Services require a 25% deposit at the time of booking. For edits priced on a sliding scale, invoices will be generated and deposits calculated based on the highest price point. Once editing is complete, final invoices will be adjusted down, if necessary, based on the extent of the edits the manuscript required. Should you need to cancel or reschedule your edit, the deposit is nonrefundable, however, we are happy to hold your funds and apply them to an edit rescheduled within six months of your originally scheduled date. Rescheduling fees apply. Should we need to cancel, or are unable to complete an edit for any reason, at our discretion, your deposit is 100% refundable. Billing and payments are handled through PayPal. By paying your deposit, you agree to the terms as outlined above.
Midnight Owl Editors 