Editing

The main role an editor plays is to guide the writer to realise on the page the full potential of the story they are compelled to tell. There are different levels of editing: structural editing, copyediting and proofreading. Some editors, like Laurel Cohn and her team, also assess manuscripts and mentor writers.

See: Manuscript Assessment, Mentoring

The best way to give you editorial feedback in the first instance is to provide a manuscript assessment. The editorial report that you will receive from an assessment will help you approach the next draft and decide whether you require editing services.

See: Manuscript Assessment

Yes. A submission usually comprises a synopsis and the first three chapters. Non-fiction writers will need to also include a chapter outline. We can give you valuable feedback on how successful your submission may be, and why. This is akin to an assessment of a partial draft. Fees for manuscript assessment are based on word count. We can also copyedit a submission package to make sure it is as error free as possible. Please get in touch for further information and fees.

See: Manuscript Assessment

Costs vary depending on the length of the manuscript, the type of editing (structural, copyediting or proofreading) and the level of intervention required. Please get in touch for a quote. 

We work with book-length manuscripts and short-form writing (essays, short stories, novellas). We are experienced with fiction (literary, popular, genre fiction), narrative non-fiction (e.g. memoir, travel, history, personal essay), general non-fiction (e.g. personal development, reference, health) and children’s books (picture books, middle grade and YA). Get in touch if you have any questions about the genre of your manuscript.

Many writers we have worked with have been successfully published, but we cannot guarantee that your work will be picked up by an agent or publisher. While we can offer you the guidance and support to help you produce a high standard manuscript, much depends on your commitment, patience and determination, as well as the vagaries of the market.

See: Manuscript Assessment, Mentoring

Most copyediting and proofreading is done with a digital version using Track Changes in Word and inserting comments, but can be done on a print out. Most structural editing is done on a print out to allow for more dynamic annotations. Please get in touch to discuss the options.

For both digital and printed manuscripts, please use the following formatting:

• line spacing: 1.5–2
• font: Times New Roman 12 pt
• margins: minimum 3 cm all round (Word default margins are fine)
• paragraphing: indent first line of paragraphs except the first paragraph of a new chapter or section (consult published novel for reference). Only put spaces between paragraphs where you wish to indicate a section break. Word often has a default setting of space after a paragraph. Please turn this to 0.
• text should be range left, not justified, which means right edge is ‘ragged’
• page numbers: consecutive from beginning to end
• title page to include name and contact details, including phone and postal address

For printed manuscripts only:

• unbound, with a large clip or rubber band around the pages
• include self-addressed stamped envelope for return of the manuscript. A prepaid parcel post satchel is often the best option (includes tracking number).
• We encourage you to print the manuscript double-sided to save paper and reduce weight.

If you have any questions about formatting your work, please get in touch.

See: Manuscript Assessment, Mentoring

Your work is considered automatically protected by copyright under Australian law. There is no registration of copyright in Australia or in most other countries (the U.S. is an exception). Through technological protection measures and contracts, you can limit other people’s ability to use or access your copyright material. Keep in mind also that it is extremely rare for writers to have their ideas stolen by others (and you can’t copyright ideas, only text). We do not as a matter of course use non-disclosure agreements as we treat each manuscript as confidential. However, if you wish to send us a non-disclosure agreement, we are happy to have a look at it. Please feel free to get in touch if you have any concerns about confidentiality.

See: Manuscript Assessment, Mentoring