Manuscript Editing
I’m here to help you find clarity in your project, so you can move forward with confidence and ease.
I bring a deep love for the mechanics of storytelling to my editing: the little details that make stories—whether they’re fiction or non-fiction—come alive. But editing is about more than just “correcting” grammar or punctuation, it’s about understanding those details in the context of a writer’s vision.
My approach centers on fostering a relationship between the writer and their work. Whether you’re wading through the conflicting advice of reading circles or you’ve taken your manuscript as far as you can go alone, I will help you sort through the noise so you can hear your voice clearly.
If you have a draft ready, we can sharpen your manuscript together. Reach out to schedule a complimentary discovery call to discuss your project.
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If your manuscript is complete (or you think it might be complete), but you’re not ready for a full edit yet, a beta read will give you a fresh set of eyes and a direction to work in next. I won’t tell you how I think any problems should be fixed, instead I will give you my impressions of characters, plot arc, and style. This offers honest feedback from a reader’s perspective, answering any questions you have about my experience of reading your manuscript while providing my own specific observations.
Expect a 2-3 page editorial letter on the manuscript’s strengths and any questions that arose
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When you’ve brought your manuscript to a place where it feels complete, but you know there is still room for improvements, I read your manuscript, focusing on content and structure, to offer a close analysis on the efficacy of storytelling elements such as narrative distance, character development, and plot. Rather than focusing on details of grammar or spelling, a developmental edit focuses closely on the larger building blocks of your story and the specific choices on the page where these blocks are built.
Expect a thoroughly annotated manuscript, 10-15 pages of comments and specific suggestions, and a one-hour video discussion to talk through the feedback and any of your questions
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Working on the level of individual sentences, I identify gaps in logic or flow, suggest revisions for clarity and concision, ensure consistency of mechanics and tone, and correct mistakes in spelling, grammar, syntax, or usage. I note places where spelling differs (such as for character or place names) or where formatting changes (such as with formatting for numbers, in the use of quotation marks, etc.) Although I offer suggestions for adjusting awkward or confusing sentence structures, replacing ineffective language, and eliminating redundancies, my first priority is respecting and maintaining your piece’s original tone and style.
Expect a thoroughly annotated manuscript including suggested language edits; a style guide specifically created for the manuscript; 2-3 pages of feedback, summarizing comments and describing any notable patterns
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Whether the next step for your completed manuscript is querying agents or self-publishing, a final edit ensures there are no blemishes in your final product. As a proofreader I’m concerned with giving your manuscript a final polish to correct any surface flaws such as grammatical, typographical, formatting or spelling errors.
Expect a thoroughly annotated manuscript including suggested language edits and a style guide specifically created for the manuscript
Editing Services
An editor who understands what I am attempting to communicate and my writing style, even when I’m not wholly successful, and who can discuss the specifics of a piece’s shortcomings and strengths is the kind of content editor I want. I’ve found that Cheyenne recognizes the value of each writer’s unique voice and helps writers make each piece they write as powerful as possible. It’s clear she has read extensively in different genres and periods: she understands complex narrative and intuitive structures, is sensitive to layers of meaning and the rhythms of language, and pays attention to each piece as a whole and to the particulars — each sentence, each word.
— Wendy Andersen, Writer, Editor, & Workshop Leader
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I specialize in fiction and memoir/personal essays, but I edit plays, academic texts, philosophy, and nonfiction books. My approach centers on the work and the writer’s vision, rather than specific genre.
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While the two approaches overlap in their objectives and methods, editing and coaching differ in their focus. As a coach I work with you toward a goal—whether that is completing a specific manuscript or strengthening a skill—breaking a complex project down into smaller chunks. As an editor, I’m usually brought into the project once a writer has at least a rough manuscript that’s ready to be refined.
If you’re not sure where you are in the process, that’s okay. We can discuss this during your discovery call.
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That’s completely fine! Part of my process working on a new project with a client is learning the full complexities of the project (and the writer’s vision), what revisions the piece has already gone through, and what questions or uncertainties the writer has about their manuscript. All you need to do is tell me what brought you here, and we can work together from there to figure out exactly what you need.
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I charge $55/hour for all editing services, except for beta reading which is .9 cents per word. Just contact me for an estimate based on your manuscript’s length and the scope of your project.
I also have editing packages available on a case-by-case basis. Schedule a discovery session to learn more.
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If you’re ready to take the next step with your manuscript, or you’re curious about what options you have, contact me to start the conversation.
Initial complimentary call
We will meet to discuss your project, including your process so far, to decide if we are a good fit. I’ll have a few questions for you about what you’re looking for in an edit and will answer any questions you have about my editing approach. Editing is a collaborative effort and this conversation is an opportunity to see if our styles mesh. If the answer is no, or not right now, I’ll be happy to introduce you to someone else in my editing community.Project proposal
Based on our conversation and an initial review of your manuscript, if you’ve sent one, I’ll recommend an editing service that matches your needs and provide you with an estimate for the project.Deposit
Once all of your questions have been answered and you’re ready to move forward, I’ll send an invoice for the editing service you’ve chosen.Editing begins
When you accept the project proposal we will discuss the timeline for the project and how long I expect each step to take. Depending on the type of editing you’ve chosen, you may receive one document which you can use to decide what you’d like to do next (such as with beta reading) or for a long term project we will be back and forth regularly as the project progresses. Either way, you can reach out to me any time with questions.