Your manuscript. Your voice. My professional polish.
You’ve poured everything into your manuscript, and now it’s an extension of you. It deserves to be treated with compassion and respect, just like you do.
I value a collaborative, transparent approach to editing, and I make every effort to provide you with feedback that is honest, constructive, and kind.
Author Services
Developmental Editing (from $0.025/word)
This service includes:
In-line comments and suggestions via Track Changes in MS Word to address high-level, structural concerns, which may involve suggestions to add or rewrite some material, or relocate or remove sections.
A comprehensive editorial letter evaluating all major story elements (POV, plot, pacing, voice, characterization, setting, etc.) and offering actionable solutions.
Weekly progress emails throughout the edit.
A one-hour video call for post-edit support and questions, if desired.
A 20% discount on any additional editing services you book for the same manuscript.
Line Editing (from $0.02/word)
This service includes:
Two editing passes with a focus on readability, with suggestions made regarding clarity, consistency, tone, flow, and style.
In-line comments and suggestions are provided via Track Changes in MS Word to address concerns at the paragraph and sentence levels.
One complete round of revisions, meaning I’ll do one more pass after you’ve reviewed my initial suggestions.
Weekly progress emails throughout the edit, and an editorial summary upon completion.
Line editing may be a standalone service, though it often overlaps with developmental editing, and it can also be performed concurrently with copyediting.
Copyedit Plus Package (from $0.23/word)
This special—and popular!—package includes:
All the elements of the Classic Copyedit, plus a comprehensive line edit to ensure consistent tone, flow, style, and clarity, as well as matching the language level to your target audience.
In-line comments and suggestions via Track Changes in MS Word to address concerns at the paragraph and sentence levels.
Weekly progress emails throughout the edit, and an editorial summary upon completion.
One complete round of revisions, meaning I’ll do one more pass after you’ve reviewed my initial suggestions.
A one-hour video call for post-edit support and questions, if desired.
A complimentary blurb edit.
Classic Copyedit (from $0.013/word)
This service includes:
A meticulous, two-pass copyedit focusing on spelling, grammar, punctuation, and usage; checking for consistency and continuity in characterization, events, and world building; basic fact-checking; and flagging of any permissions concerns.
You’ll receive in-line comments and suggestions via Track Changes in MS Word to address concerns at the sentence level, as well as a customized style sheet to track your style preferences and basic story elements, including characters and timeline.
Weekly progress emails throughout the edit, and a brief editorial summary upon completion.
This service does not include a round of revisions, but one may be negotiated separately if desired.
The classic copyedit is ideal for authors who are on a tight budget or want a quick cleanup of their manuscript prior to querying. (Note: Literary agents do not require this step—it’s simply an option if you know you struggle in this area and worry it may detract from your story.)
Polished Proofread (from $0.009/word)
This service includes:
Two proofreading passes on all textual and visual elements to check for lingering mechanical errors (checked against the existing style sheet), consistent adherence to formatting and design choices, pagination, running heads, captions, cross-references, maps, diagrams, front and back matter, etc.
A brief editorial summary upon completion of the service.
A proofread cannot replace a comprehensive copyedit. It doesn’t delve as deeply into the text, and is only intended to review the final page proofs for flagrant (And often the most embarrassing!) errors. The manuscript should be sent with an accompanying style sheet for this service.
Ideally, your final digital proof will be marked up on a PDF file in Adobe Acrobat, allowing you (or your formatter/typesetter) to make the relevant changes in your formatting program of choice, though the service can be provided within a Word document if necessary.
Other Services
Additional services are available and priced per project, including:
Manuscript Assessment
A full report on the big-picture elements of your book (structure, pacing, plot, character arcs, world building, themes, etc.), as well as notes on the reading level and marketability for your intended audience and genre.
The author receives detailed feedback and suggestions in an editorial letter and will also be directed toward helpful resources to strengthen areas of weakness.
This is a more financially accessible option than a developmental edit, starting at $0.01/word.
Chapter Critiques
This service offers a thorough editorial review of either your initial chapter or first three chapters.
$100 for one chapter or three chapters for $250 (assuming an average chapter range of 2000–4000 words).
This is essentially a “mini” edit that supports authors who wish to develop self-editing tools they can apply to the remainder of their manuscript when a more comprehensive service isn’t feasible. Authors are encouraged to identify three areas of weakness they most want to focus on.
Blurb Editing
Sensitivity Reading
Primarily offered in reference to mental health, neurodivergence, and chronic illness, but please ask me for details.
Connection Calls
An initial 30-minute planning call is complimentary, and additional calls are available for $30/hour.
Please note that all prices are in Canadian dollars. Pricing is approximate and may be influenced by word count and the scope of work required. Rush fees may apply.
Package discounts are available if booking multiple services at once.
I will provide a comprehensive quote after evaluating the text and discussing your goals, expectations, and budget. The payment schedule will then be outlined in a contract, and no money will change hands prior to signing.
A service fee of 25% of the total cost is required to secure your booking and flexible payment plans are available.
FREE sample edits of up to 1000 words are available—and strongly encouraged—so we can ensure we’re a good fit!
My Preferred Genres
Literary fiction
Historical fiction
Speculative fiction, especially SFF & dystopian
Domestic thrillers
Romance (and most subgenres)
Short stories
YA & middle grade
Bonus points for CanLit and anything sapphic, witchy, or channeling feminine rage!
Narrative nonfiction, especially memoir, mental health, social justice, and history
Parenting
Cookbooks
Arts, culture, & travel
Sociology
Psychology
and more!
“I had an exceptional experience working with Michelle . . . She coached me through the errors I had made in my manuscript, while still making me feel capable and empowered . . . No doubt, my book is infinitely better for Michelle’s support. Without [her], I would not have even half of the confidence I do.”
— Jillian Maclean, Author