Business Book Editing
Your words,
crafted.
Developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, and proofreading.
I brought Diana the best manuscript I could produce on my own, and she made it dramatically better.
Through developmental editing, she pushed me to go deeper, helped me sharpen the concepts, and was never afraid to challenge me. The book would have been far weaker without her.
We work at the level your manuscript requires, from fundamental restructuring to sentence-level refinement.
The goal is not to turn your book into ours. It is to clarify the argument, strengthen the narrative, improve the organization, and make the reading experience more compelling without flattening the voice that makes the book yours.
Who we work with
Authors with a partial or complete manuscript that needs greater clarity, cohesion, authority, narrative force, or polish.
How we strengthen the book
- Assess the manuscript and define the editorial strategy
- Strengthen the structure and central argument
- Reorganize chapters and develop missing material
- Clarify ideas and sharpen the narrative
- Edit sentences for rhythm, precision, and voice
- Guide the revision process and discuss key decisions
What good editing can do
A stronger book is already inside your draft.
Our job is to find it without losing the ideas, personality, and perspective .
Levels of Editing
The manuscript tells us what it needs.
Some books need a stronger argument or an entirely new structure. Others need cleaner sentences, greater consistency, or one final, meticulous review. We begin by reading closely and recommending the right level of intervention.
01
Developmental Editing
Big-picture editing for manuscripts that need stronger structure, clearer positioning, a more persuasive argument, or a better reader journey.
- Book structure and chapter organization
- Central argument and supporting ideas
- Missing, repetitive, or misplaced material
- Narrative momentum and reader engagement
02
Line Editing
Sentence-level editing that makes the writing clearer, sharper, and more compelling while preserving the author’s distinctive voice.
- Clarity, rhythm, and flow
- Repetition and unnecessary language
- Transitions and paragraph structure
- Tone, authority, and voice
03
Copyediting
A precise review for correctness, consistency, and readability once the book’s structure and prose are firmly in place.
- Grammar, punctuation, and usage
- Spelling, capitalization, and hyphenation
- Names, terminology, and internal consistency
- Style-sheet creation and application
04
Proofreading
The final review after editing and layout, focused on catching the small errors that remain before the book is published.
- Typos and overlooked errors
- Formatting and layout inconsistencies
- Headers, page numbers, and captions
- Final prepublication quality control
Not sure which level of editing your manuscript needs? Send it to us for an initial review. For $75, we’ll edit a sample chapter of up to 2,000 words and explain the level of intervention we recommend, so you can see exactly how we work before committing to a full-manuscript edit.
Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions
Every manuscript arrives at a different stage. We begin by identifying what is working, what is getting in the book’s way, and what level of editing will make the greatest difference.
What kind of editing does my manuscript need?
That depends on the manuscript’s stage and its most pressing problems. An early draft may need developmental editing to address its argument, structure, missing material, or reader journey. A more settled manuscript may be ready for line editing or copyediting. We review the work and recommend the level of intervention that will make the greatest difference.
How much does book editing cost?
Editing is generally priced by the word. Developmental editing typically costs $0.12 per word, line editing $0.08 per word, and copyediting $0.04 per word. Every manuscript is different, so we review its length, condition, complexity, and goals before providing a detailed proposal.
Can I see how you edit before committing?
Yes. For $75, we will edit a sample chapter of up to 2,000 words and explain the level of intervention we recommend. You will see how we approach the manuscript, how we communicate editorial decisions, and what working together would look like before committing to a full-manuscript edit.
Will you preserve my voice?
Yes. The goal is not to impose our style or make every author sound alike. We pay close attention to your natural rhythms, vocabulary, humor, perspective, and degree of formality. Our edits make the writing clearer, stronger, and more engaging while keeping the voice recognizably yours.
Can you edit a manuscript written with AI?
Yes. We do not shame authors for beginning with AI. It simply should not be what readers encounter in the finished book.
An AI-written manuscript often requires more than a conventional edit. We work with you to recover your voice and original thinking, remove generic AI patterns, strengthen the structure and substance, and identify areas that need original examples, research, judgment, or lived experience. We also verify citations, quotations, factual claims, and other source material as far as the project’s scope reasonably allows.
We can research passages for possible unattributed borrowing, but no editorial process can guarantee that every original source, factual error, or instance of unattributed language will be identified. The scope and limitations of that review are clearly defined before work begins. The goal is a finished book that reflects your ideas, experience, authority, and humanity rather than delivering machine-generated prose to the reader.
Will you rewrite parts of my manuscript?
Depending on the scope, we may rewrite sentences, reshape passages, improve transitions, or demonstrate how an argument or story could be developed more effectively. Extensive rewriting or the creation of substantial new material can also be included, but it is discussed and priced separately from a standard editorial engagement.
Can you edit an incomplete manuscript?
Yes. An early developmental review can prevent you from spending months building on a structure that does not yet work. We can assess completed chapters, identify what the book still needs, and help establish a stronger plan for the material that remains to be written.
How long does a full-manuscript edit take?
Most full-manuscript edits take several weeks. The exact schedule depends on the manuscript’s length, complexity, and the depth of intervention required. A developmental edit generally takes longer than a copyedit. We establish the scope and delivery date before work begins.
What will I receive?
Deliverables vary by project and may include a detailed editorial letter, chapter-by-chapter recommendations, comments within the manuscript, tracked revisions, a style sheet, and a follow-up conversation. Your proposal will state exactly what is included before the engagement begins.
Do you edit in Microsoft Word using Track Changes?
Yes. Most editing is completed in Microsoft Word using Track Changes and comments. You can see every suggested revision, accept or reject changes individually, and retain control over the manuscript. Larger editorial recommendations are explained in comments or an accompanying editorial letter. We can also work in a shared Google document if the file isn't too long.
Do I need both copyediting and proofreading?
Usually. Copyediting takes place before the book is designed and addresses grammar, punctuation, usage, consistency, and continuity. Proofreading takes place after layout and focuses on the designed pages, including typos, spacing problems, formatting inconsistencies, headers, page numbers, and captions.
Can you help me revise after the edit?
Yes. Some authors revise independently after receiving their edit. Others continue with book coaching, a second editorial review, or hands-on rewriting support. We can recommend the most useful next step based on the manuscript and the amount of guidance you want.