Line Editing

Do you have a final draft that needs finishing touches?

Line editing makes your story easier—and more enjoyable—to read by strengthening its prose, pacing, and organization.

The Work Involved
This is a detail-oriented, time-consuming process that makes a huge difference in a story’s readability. (To see what a typical line edit looks like, click the button below.)

I will scrutinize your prose to tighten the language; evaluate diction (word choices) and syntax (the arrangement or order of words); attend to emotional tone; reduce your author tics; and eliminate redundant words and phrases.

On the paragraph, scene, and chapter levels, I will determine what should be revised, cut, compressed, and reorganized, such as moving around sentences, paragraphs, and sections.

If parts of the story aren’t making sense, I’ll point out the logic problems. Where the pacing lags, I’ll suggest ways to fix it. Inconsistencies—such as incorrect names and changes in characters’ physical descriptions—will get flagged.

If I notice or question anachronisms (a story takes place in 1973 but someone is using a CD player) or incorrect historical details (the first moon landing was in 1969, not 1968), I’ll mark them.

I’ll correct many errors in punctuation, grammar, and the like, but I won’t fix all of them. That level of fine-tuning falls under copyediting.

What You’ll Receive
Your manuscript will have Track Changes and margin comments. You can accept, reject, or modify all corrections and suggestions.

Post-Delivery Support
You’re welcome to contact me via email for one month after delivery to ask questions.

Word Counts and Flat Fees
$100 per 1,000 words.

For example—
2,000 words—$200
15,000 words—$1,500
47,000 words—$4,700
75,000 words—$7,500

Note: If I think a manuscript needs a developmental edit first, I will say so. I’ve had clients who hired line editors initially because they didn’t know about the stages of editing. When the books got to me, they needed major work, which meant changing much of what the line editors did. It’s a waste of a writer’s money to line edit a book before it’s “done.”

CONTACT ME
If you’re interested in working with me, send an email to ronlyndomingue [at] gmail [dot] com.

Please include the following information.
1. The title, genre, and total word count of your work.
2. A brief synopsis/description of your project.
3. A brief overview of your publication plans (get an agent, submit to a small press, etc.).
4. Attach your manuscript's first 50 pages. Microsoft Word or PDF.

I’ll read your material and contact you within five business days. If it looks like we’re a potential match, we’ll schedule a free, 20-minute phone conversation to talk things over.