Editorial services
BOOK EDITING SERVICES for authors
Your story deserves care – and that’s why my approach as an editor is to not only be honest, but kind. I want my edits to inspire and encourage you, not tear you down.
I’ve worked on over 200 books for publishing houses and writers in my nine-year career as an editor, including HarperCollins, Hachette, Scholastic, and Penguin Random House, and I have plenty of training and credentials. You can be sure you’re in safe hands with me.
My first traditionally published book, Snowed In at the Cat Café, published by Hodder, has been translated into eight languages. I’ve self-published some books, too, so I understand both sides of publishing.
Any writing challenge you’ve been through, odds are, I’ve experienced it, too – from completing a first draft to fighting your way through the slush pile. I know exactly what it’s like to pour all your time, energy and love into a dream project, and to feel overwhelmed and nervous about what comes next.
This industry is hard, and that’s why every writer deserves to work with someone who is friendly, supportive and on their side.
You’ve done the hard part – writing the book. I can make the next step less daunting.
i love to edit…
Fantasy, sci-fi, romance, YA, contemporary fiction, thrillers, and historical fiction (depending on the time period). I also copyedit general and creative non-fiction, including memoirs.
not a good fit for…
Dark/taboo romance, picture books, graphic horror, poetry, academic work, satire, illustrated books, comics, cookbooks, literary fiction, Westerns, books written or created by AI, scripts.
I work with authors from around the world!
I quote in GBP, but international payments are accepted.
Full manuscript services
Manuscript assessment
A comprehensive professional report to help you strengthen your full manuscript during revisions. The assessment focuses on the big-picture elements of your story, from the plot and structure to characterisation and world-building, with guidance on how to improve each area. I’ll also provide targeted advice on how to position your book for the right market, so you can revise with commercial awareness in mind. You’ll come away with a structured revision plan, leading you to a more engaging manuscript.
You will receive:
A 10–20 page editorial report filled with constructive feedback, a revision guide to help you plan your changes, a customised resource sheet, a review of your revision plan, and a 30-minute follow-up call (audio only).
Best suited for:
Authors with a completed draft who are ready for detailed big-picture feedback and structured support for their revisions.
A quote will be provided after reviewing your total word count and a sample of your manuscript.
not quite ready for a full assessment? try the…
Mini assessment
A short professional report covering my initial editorial impressions of your full manuscript and focused feedback on 1–3 key areas. I’ll also comment on the overall marketability of your manuscript and offer advice on where to go from here – for example, carrying out further editing, rewrites, or additional targeted revisions. With the mini, you’ll gain an understanding of how your manuscript is likely to be received by readers and suggested next steps.
You will receive:
A 3–5 page report covering 1–3 key areas for improvement (such as the protagonist’s arc, the stakes, and the core storyline), as well as my general editorial impressions and suggested next steps for your manuscript. Brief follow-up questions can be taken by email.
Best suited for:
Authors with a completed draft who want general impressions on their full manuscript before deciding what to do next.
A quote will be provided after reviewing your total word count and a sample of your manuscript.
Developmental editing
An intensive, hands-on service designed to help you fully develop and strengthen your manuscript. Alongside an extensive written report, marginal comments will be added throughout your manuscript to highlight areas for improvement and what’s working well. This service zooms out to examine the major big-picture elements of your story, and also zooms in to assess plot, characterisation, world-building, and imagery and atmosphere at a scene and chapter level. Developmental editing equips you with everything you need for a deep, thorough revision of your manuscript from start to finish.
You will receive:
A 10–20 page editorial report filled with constructive feedback, marginal comments and examples in every chapter, a revision guide to help you plan your changes, a customised resource sheet, a review of your revision plan, and a 1-hour follow-up call (audio only).
Best suited for:
Authors who are looking for a more intensive approach and are ready to carry out substantial revisions.
Developmental editing works best when a manuscript is ready for deep structural revision, rather than exploratory or bare-bones drafts.
A quote will be provided after reviewing your total word count and a sample of your manuscript.
Copy/line editing
These are sentence-level edits designed to smooth and elevate your writing – whilst retaining your own unique voice . Copyediting is a detail-focused edit to catch errors, ensuring your book is accurate and consistent. Line editing is more stylistic, helping you to improve your writing craft skills – think of it like having a mini writing coach in the sidebar to teach, guide, and support you.
You can choose to have a combined copy/line edit, or just one of these.
You will receive:
A fully edited manuscript, marked up with Track Changes so you can see, and accept or reject, each edit, an editorial report, a customised resource sheet (line edits only), a customised style sheet (copyedits only), a review of any light changes made after the edit (copyediting only).
Best suited for:
Copyediting is ideal for authors who are planning to self-publish. It is not recommended for manuscripts that will be submitted to agents or publishers, as this work would be handled later in the publishing process.
Line editing, on the other hand, can help authors refine and improve their prose stylistically before submission to agents or publishers.
A quote will be provided after reviewing your total word count and a sample of your manuscript.
Submission packages
for authors seeking traditional publication
Opening chapters
I’ll assess your opening chapters (up to 10,000 words) and guide you in strengthening them for submission to agents. My detailed notes will cover your hook, target market, plot, characters, your setting, and wider elements of writing craft – helping you shape chapters that are smooth, engaging, and compelling. We’ll focus on making sure your chapters are well-positioned to attract an agent’s attention.
You will receive:
A 5–10 page editorial report containing big-picture feedback, as well as advice on your target market, marginal comments throughout your chapters, and a resource sheet on where to find literary agents.
Flat fee: £450 (approx $620).
Query letter editing
I’ll provide you with detailed feedback and edits on your query letter to make it more snappy and engaging, with a strong focus on your hook and building in a compelling, clear main plot. I’ll also remove any redundancy and repetition to tighten up the letter, and fix any errors in spelling and grammar. I may also suggest changes to your author bio and provide ideas for comp titles – ensuring these are sharp and relevant. You’ll finish up with a polished, professionally edited letter that presents your story at its best.
You will receive:
Two rounds of editing on your query letter, bio/comp suggestions if needed, and a resource sheet on where to find literary agents.
Flat fee: £140 (approx. $190).
Premium submission package
This package covers your complete set of submission materials to help you approach literary agents with confidence. You’ll receive detailed feedback on your opening chapters, two rounds of query letter editing, and an in-depth edit and notes on your synopsis.
Synopsis-writing is a skill many writers struggle with and is something you’ll return to throughout your writing career. I’ll guide you in shaping a clear and concise summary that reflects the main plot of your novel.
You’ll be well-placed to start querying literary agents with a polished set of materials.
You will receive:
Everything in the opening chapters and query letter editing services, plus 1–3 pages of feedback on your synopsis, marginal comments and edits on your synopsis, and a short editorial report on your synopsis.
Flat fee: £499 (approx $670).
Bolt on a line edit for your opening chapters: £550 (approx. $740).
Bespoke services
customised book editing services for authors
Sometimes, authors request editorial services that fall outside of my listed packages. This can include proofreading, outline reviews, or other editorial guidance. I’m more than happy to build custom services to suit you and your manuscript’s needs.
Fees vary depending on the work involved. Please do get in touch and we can chat about your requirements. I’ll let you know whether it’s something I can take on and provide a custom quote.
FAQ
Absolutely wonderful
Rachel is absolutely wonderful! Not only is she professional, thorough, and constructive, but her enthusiasm and the way she presents information with examples is helpful and informative. I’ve learned SO much working with her and look forward to working with her again on future books. She meets her deadlines and is genuinely interested in helping authors grow. She also respects your author voice and is just a nice person to work with in every aspect. Thank you, Rachel!
In capable hands
You are amazingly thorough. I love your process and your level of detail. And your enthusiasm for the story means everything. THANK YOU so, so much for levelling this manuscript up. I knew it was in capable hands. I don’t feel any anxiety around looking at these edits, and trust me that is an enormous feat.
Amazing
If you ever need an editor, Rachel is AMAZING. She’s so nice, professional, and understanding. Working with her has been great!
Worth every penny
After working with her, honestly… you just feel good. She’s genuinely interested in the work. She includes notes about what she likes and wants to know more about. These little tidbits of positivity really help when you’re up for long hours remaking your world.
Rachel was a wonderful addition to my team and in helping bring my book to life. I would recommend her, especially to new authors who need a helpful hand in cleaning up their work. She was worth every penny. I would hire her again without a doubt.
Get the leg-up you need
Rachel is an excellent editor, and I cannot recommend her services enough! With her developmental guidance, I have been able to transform my early manuscript draft into a much more powerful story. If you are stuck in your writing process, take the plunge and get the leg-up you need from Rachel! She takes her time to provide thoughtful, actionable suggestions, and you will walk away with great ideas and kind words of encouragement to inspire you.
A devoted editor
I am a new writer, and Rachel not only seemed very interested in my book, but she often communicated with me about the editing itself, which I was very new at. Rachel went over my monster of a manuscript and showed me parts that needed to be rewritten, fixed, and changed and I feel my manuscript will become better because of it. If you are a new writer, and would like a professional to go over your book, I believe Rachel is one of the most devoted to making your book the best it can be.
work with me
Ready to get started?
If you’d like to work with me on your manuscript, please fill out the form below with details about your project.