Storybound’s Services

I meet authors where they are, whether it’s on their first draft or hundredth, because each novel deserves as much time and attention that it needs to get into the hands of readers. The craft of fiction is something that must be learned, so let me help you bring your novel to its greatest potential.

Where I differ from a lot of other editors is that I focus heavily on outlining, and my goal in any edit is to give you knowledge that will carry through your entire writing career. My comments are not criticisms—rather they are observations, questions, suggestions, advice, and pointed commentary. I view a big part of my job as being encouraging yet truthful in every word I say.

All of my services are focused on the BIG PICTURE of a novel. Why are the chapters laid out this way? What does this protagonist truly want? Is this scene serving the purpose it’s supposed to? These are only some of the questions I ask myself while editing. I get into the nitty-gritty of what goes into every single fiction novel—characterization, concept, scene dynamics, dialogue, plot structure, etc.—and help you, as the author, finish putting the puzzle pieces together.

Some authors struggle with pacing yet just as many struggle with dialogue or any other part of fiction writing. You’re here because of the feeling in your gut, a feeling that tells you that you need guidance. Whether it’s because you’re in the fetal position on the floor driven half-mad and surrounded by index cards, or you need the reassurance that you and your novel actually have what it takes to get published. You do have what it takes. It’s all too easy to give up and throw that draft away, but you’re here instead.

Getting the words on the page is the hard part. As Brandon Sanderson said, “Write it badly… let it be good later.” I want to help you make it not only good but great.

  • While I primarily focus on the Fantasy and Romance genres, any combination of those two included, I will consider working on other genres like Science Fiction, Thriller, and Mystery!

  • This a long list of elements I will consider when choosing a project to work on. This is not a grocery list, so please reach out whether your novel contains only one of these or multiple.

    • Cozy

    • LGBTQIA+

    • Erotica

    • Creatures/monsters (Shifters, Demons, Aliens, etc)

    • Magic

    • Reverse harem & menage

    • Omegaverse

    • Historical setting (Victorian, Pirates, Western, etc)

    • Heist

    • Mythical creatures (Dragons, Fae, Elves, etc)

    • Academy/college setting

    • Dark/taboo (Psycho MMC, Agegap, etc)

    Tropes in books that I gobble up every time:

    • Fated/soul mates

    • Only one bed

    • Enemies to lovers

    • Arranged marriage

    • Grumpy/sunshine

    The only triggers/content I will not consider are:

    • Self-harm

    • Mythological deity protagonists

    • Cheating between protagonists

  • This is my version of a sample edit where I edit a small piece of your manuscript, the first three chapters to be precise, and provide feedback on it like I would with a Manuscript Evaluation or Developmental Edit. I’ll include a short Editorial Letter to break down any strengths and/or weaknesses based on the portion I read.

    The purpose is to give you an idea of what working with me would be like—the tone of my comments, what I notice, what kind of advice I give, etc.

    Along with the feedback, I will provide a quote for both a Manuscript Evaluation and Developmental Edit. This quote will be good for 12 months should you need time to decide whether to move forward.

    The $100 fee is to book my time, and should you decide to move forward with a Manuscript Evaluation or Developmental Edit, all of it goes toward the deposit.

  • An Outline Evaluation is a new service for authors struggling to perfect their novel’s outline. You provide what you have of your outline, anything from a hundred index cards to an excel spreadsheet, and I examine it through my developmental editor’s lens.

    Does your outline feel disjointed? Are you having trouble labeling what’s the climax and where does it go? Are you struggling with how to pace story beats? Well, I can help you with these questions and more!

    Similar to the Diagnostic Edit, this is an introduction to how a more in-depth developmental edit with me will work. You will receive a 3-5 page editorial letter with all of my feedback, and you can also schedule a call for discussion!

    An outline is one of the most important tools in an author’s wheelhouse to get a draft across the finish line. Whether you’ve written half the book, a single chapter, or 99.9%, this evaluation can help you.

    Unlike my other edits, I do not read any part of your manuscript with this service. This service is purely for the outline as it exists.

    My feedback WILL include plot structure recommendations, commentary, links for writing resources, and more.

    My feedback will NOT include scene creation or other input regarding the outline’s contents. My goal is to bring out your own creative vision not to insert my own ideas over top.

  • Because both edits focus on big picture issues, the key differences are how in-depth the analysis is and the amount of deliverables (aka what’s returned to you after the edit).

    The Developmental Edit is the more in-depth analysis of the two and gives you access to my Plottr© book map and outline of your novel, plus the add-on of purchasing the Plottr file itself.

    Because the Manuscript Evaluation does not include the book map, it will contain a more general analysis of the strengths and weaknesses. Where a Manuscript Evaluation would recommend focusing on description or the main character’s arc, a Developmental Edit would provide specific changes to scenes or characters to give direction on how to focus on those recommendations.

    The Diagnostic Edit will help you decide which edit is best for you, but I will also answer any questions you may have.

  • New clients must start with the Diagnostic Edit because it provides an opportunity for you to see my editing style before committing to a longer edit.

    Choosing between the Manuscript Evaluation and Developmental Edit can be difficult. Think about your budget given the pricing information below and what kind of revision advice you want to receive.

    If you’re someone who simply wants an overview of my analysis, then the Manuscript Evaluation works perfectly. You get the key points and critical advice to launch yourself into revision.

    On the other hand, if you’re someone who wants the step-by-step suggestions and detailed revision explanations, then a Developmental Edit is the better choice.

    Because the scope of work does differ between the edits, you cannot switch once the editing process has begun. If, once the edit is complete, you find yourself wanting more in-depth explanations, you will have the opportunity to purchase the 2nd pass add-on or additional call sessions.

Editing Tiers

The Outline Evaluation

What’s Included:

  • In-depth analysis of a novel’s outline, whether complete or in-complete

  • Feedback including plot structure recommendations and writing resources

  • Editorial Letter (3-5 pages)

Price is $75 with an optional $50 1-hour call after the evaluation is complete

Timeline: 1 week

The Diagnostic Edit

What’s Included:

  • Annotated comments on the first three chapters

  • Personalized quote for a Manuscript Eval or Developmental Edit

  • Editorial Letter (3-5 pages)

Price is an even $100 that will go towards the deposit of a Manuscript Evaluation or Developmental Edit

Timeline: 1 week

The Manuscript Evaluation

What’s Included:

  • Moderately annotated manuscript

  • Editorial letter (7-12 pages)

Pricing starts at $1,000 for up to 50k words then $100 per every 10k words over 50k (1.5-2¢/word)

Timeline: 6 weeks

The Developmental Edit

What’s Included:

  • Heavily annotated manuscript

  • Editorial letter (12-18 pages)

  • Book map outline built in Plottr©

Pricing starts at $1,750 for up to 50k words then $250 per every 10k words over 50k (3-3.5¢/word)

Timeline: 8 weeks

Learn more about Editing rates here: https://www.the-efa.org/rates/

Add-Ons