“We edit your words, your writing, your sentences and paragraphs… but never your voice.”
― Rogena Mitchell-Jones
Editing is the process in which a manuscript is modified, corrected and polished thoroughly. It is the process of correcting and polishing the manuscript in order to make it stand out.
In literature, there are different types of editing depending upon the work that needs to be done on an individual manuscript. It is subjective and depends upon what exactly is lacking or needs improvement regarding the overall quality of the individual manuscript. For example, in some manuscripts, prose needs tightening, whereas in others, the overall plot structure needs to be fixed, or in some, the scenes are not executed well or the dialogues are lacking in quality, and so on. So the first job of an editor is to determine (based on the sample chapters they are provided by the writer) which kind of editing their work needs.
So, what is editing?
Editing, in the overall sense of the word, involves changes that polish your manuscript by focusing on the sentence structure, punctuation, spelling mistakes, stylistic alterations, voice correction, grammatical errors, characterisation, narrative flow, tension, pacing, plot structuring, plot progression, story dynamics, character dynamics, etc. While editing, the overall story remains the same, and improving the manuscript’s structure as well as the overall plot is the priority.
I provide three types of editing:
- Substantive/Line Editing: Refines your sentences and paragraphs for clarity, flow, and style, making your writing crisp and engaging. Best for authors who are satisfied with their manuscript’s structure but want to enhance its readability and style.
- Developmental Editing: Focuses on the big picture, helping structure and shape your manuscript to refine the overall composition and storytelling. Ideal for early drafts or writers who need guidance on the structure and core elements of their story.
- Comprehensive Editing: This is the most popular editing service. It combines substantive and developmental edits to both fine-tune language and improve the structure and content of your manuscript. Perfect for writers who want a thorough refinement of their work from language to story structure.
In case your book is not complete and you want an expert opinion of how it can be shaped further, you can go for Manuscript Analysis. It provides a detailed report on your manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses, offering guidance on how to improve it before final editing. Suitable for authors looking for an initial critique to identify key areas for improvement.
For costing, please email me.
Editing Sample:
“Heena is one of the finest editors we’ve worked with; she is thorough, relentless and highly driven. Her command over English language and wide experience in English literature brings a lot to the table. In spite of her wide knowledge and experience, she respects the vision of every writer, novice or experiences, that she works with. Her communication is fantastic and the results are simply par excellence!“
Director, Citrus Publishers
Previous Employer
“She is a brilliant editor and a wonderful person. I chose her for my book’s developmental & substantive editing. Heena helped me to develop my story and with her guidance, I was able to overcome all the loopholes in my story. She not only edits well but also guides with her whole heart. She is sincere, honest, a good listener and an excellent guide. I strongly recommend her.”
Priyanka Ranadive, PhD in Museology and Archeology
Author of Little Netra’s Vist To Ancient Monument series
You can read more testimonials from my clients here: Client Testimonials
READY TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT?
Just drop me an email with your manuscripts details (such as Working Title, Genre, Word Count, etc.) along with the first 2 chapters at rathoreheena@gmail.com and I’ll get back to you with a quote and a sample edit within 24-48 hours.