Editing Services for Fiction Writers
Editing Services
At the Celtic Muse, we understand the importance of learning how to write fiction through all levels of the editing process. We aim to build confidence, as well as provide a thorough, professional edit of your manuscript. Our feedback is friendly and strengths-based, packed with valuable technical information that will bring your writing to the next level.
We provide a sample edit for the first chapter up to 2000 words, for our editing and proofreading services, and an initial video conference to discuss the writer’s goal for the manuscript, the core premise of the story, and any stylistic criterion. It is also important to note that if you engage in The Celtic Muse’s coaching and mentoring services you may not need to utilise developmental editing. This will depend on how you have incorporated the suggestions of your coach/mentor into your manuscript, if the story hits all the structural beats, and if the character arcs are well-executed. Ultimately, we aim to help you to write a novel that you are proud of and will be well-positioned to succeed upon publication.
Manuscript Assessment
A manuscript assessment appraises the structural integrity of your novel and includes feedback on story structure and plot consistency, theme, character arcs and development, subplots, scene structure, prose style and technique, genre conventions, and market/industry advice. Your feedback will come in the form of a comprehensive report that will give you feedback on both the strengths and weaknesses of the manuscript.
Note: Currently, our manuscript assessment service is limited to speculative fiction, fantasy, science fiction, and horror. We hope to expand to other genres in the future.
Pricing: The price is dependent on the prose and writing expertise of the author, as this will determine the amount of work involved in the assessment. As a rough guide, a manuscript assessment is priced at $0.02 per word. An 80,000-word manuscript is priced at $1,600.00, and a 100,000-word manuscript would be approximately $2,000.00. Surcharges may apply for particularly difficult manuscripts.
Developmental Editing
Developmental or structural editing focuses on the structural integrity of the novel. This edit will involve a report as well as comments on the story’s structure using tracked changes. A developmental edit will give you feedback on the story structure of the novel, theme, character arcs and development, sub-plots, and scene structure. There is a focus on creating complex and believable characters and relationships, building tension and conflict throughout the story, as well as
plot consistency. An analysis of the theme and the concrete/emotional/philosophical stakes will also be included. You will come out with a comprehensive assessment and recommendations that will help take your story to the next level and keep readers hooked.
Note: Currently, our developmental editing service is limited to speculative fiction, fantasy, science fiction, and horror. We hope to expand to other genres in the future.
Pricing: The price is dependent on the prose and writing expertise of the author, as this will determine the amount of work involved in the structural edit. As a rough guide, a developmental edit is priced at $0.06 per word. An 80,000-word manuscript is priced at $4,800.00, and a 100,000-word manuscript would be approximately $6,000.00. Surcharges may apply for particularly difficult manuscripts.
Testimonial
Neasa has exhited a commitment to studying the craft of writing and editing in Australia and abroad, and developed her own writing projects as well as tutored other writers. Her grasp of developmental editing is strong and she can identify what isn’t working in a manuscript but also articulate why, and propose thoughtful, story-driven solutions.
… I’ve been consistently impressed by Neasa’s attention to detail and her natural instinct for line editing. She is able to refine prose with a light but purposeful touch, preserving the author’s voice while elevating clarity, rhythm, and emotional resonance.
Kelly Rigby, Editor and Writing Tutor, “Write with Kelly”
Line Editing
A line edit is performed on tracked changes and is carried out after the revision process, following a developmental edit. This edit focuses on writing style and prose, tense, point of view, show-not-tell, and immersive description, dialogue, and character voice. An in-depth analysis of scene structure is also carried out here, because the execution of each scene can make or break the story. You can expect your character and their journeys to come to life on the page in this edit.
Pricing: The price is dependent on the prose and writing expertise of the author, as this will determine the amount of work involved in the structural edit. As a rough guide, a line edit is priced at $0.04 per word. An 80,000-word manuscript is priced at $3,200.00, and a 100,000-word manuscript would be approximately $4,000.00. Surcharges may apply for particularly difficult manuscripts.
Testimonial
Working with Phoebe Wilby is an absolute pleasure. Her copyediting and proofreading skills bring clarity and polish to my writing without losing my voice. She has a keen eye for detail and a thoughtful, collaborative approach that makes the whole process smooth and enjoyable. I have no hesitation in recommending her.
Stephanie Hammond, Author of An Addict in the Family
Copy Editing
A copy edit is performed on tracked changes and is the penultimate step in your manuscript preparation prior to publication. The copy edit focuses on spelling, grammar, capitalisation, word usage and repetition, ensuring dialogue tags are not overdone and are used when needed, the usage of numbers or numerals, and any descriptive inconsistencies, including character descriptions, locations, etc. A copy edit will also pick up any unintentional shifts in point of view or tenses. The copy edit bridges the gap between the message you intended to convey and the reader’s understanding of your work.
Pricing: The price is dependent on the prose and writing expertise of the author, as this will determine the amount of work involved in the copy edit. As a rough guide, a copy edit is priced at $0.02 per word. An 80,000-word manuscript is priced at $1,600.00, and a 100,000-word manuscript would be approximately $2,000.00. Surcharges may apply for particularly difficult manuscripts
Proofreading
Proofreading is the final stage of the editing process and is also performed using tracked changes. Your proof reader will cast their eagle eye over your manuscript and ensure there are no spelling or grammar errors, check for inconsistencies in spelling, style, layout, and typography. Any captions for illustrations are also proofed, and if your manuscript has a contents page, the numbering of chapters and sections is also checked at this stage. Proofreading is as much about what the inside of your book will look like as it is about the final spelling and punctuation checks.
Pricing: The price is dependent on the prose and writing expertise of the author, as this will determine the amount of work involved in the proofread. As a rough guide, proofreading is priced at $0.02 per word. An 80,000-word manuscript is priced at $1,600.00, and a 100,000-word manuscript would be approximately $2,000.00. Surcharges may apply for particularly difficult manuscripts.
Formatting for Publication
Once your book has gone through the editing process, it is time to format it to get it ready for publication. The Celtic Muse offers a bespoke formatting service including:
- Front matter
- Table of contents
- ISBN if needed
- Placement of graphics as needed
- Drop Capitals on the first paragraph of each chapter
- Incorporating cover graphics as required
- Formatting for paperback/hardcover versions
- Formatting for eBook versions
The file is provided as a PDF that can be uploaded to KDP or other self-publishing platforms, and if required, we can do this for you.
Pricing: Contact us for a price depending on your specific needs.
Mentorship Programme
At The Celtic Muse, we are committed to assisting writers to improve fiction writing skills and technique through our mentorship program. We have published authors and editors who can walk with you while you are writing your novel at any stage of the process, and help you to grow as a fiction writer. This involves regular one-on-one video chats carried out on Teams or Zoom, where the mentor regularly assesses pieces of writing sent via email, such as a scene or a chapter up to 5000 words per session, and gives feedback on scene structure, prose, character development, tension and conflict, and writing style. Your mentor will work with you at the level you are ready for, to build on your skills. They will also recommend literature in your genre, writing technique books, and videos to help you advance your skills as a writer.
Mentors can also take you through your manuscript at the revision stage, help you to identify your revision plan based on what the writer wants to achieve for a set manuscript, and support writers through the process. It is important that writers accessing this service are committed to finishing their projects, as there are limited spaces. We ask that writers commit to six months to begin with, which can then be extended.
Note: Currently, mentorships are limited to speculative fiction, fantasy, science fiction, and horror. We hope to expand to other genres in the future.
Pricing: There is a set rate of $50.00 an hour for face-to-face contact and the time it takes to read and assess your writing. This begins at $2,600.00 for the first month, and payment plans are accepted. The goals of the sessions will be negotiated regularly between the mentor and the writer.