Line Editing For Fiction Writers
Line editing polishes your prose at the sentence level while preserving your voice and style.
What’s Included
Line editing is where language meets intention. It’s the stage of editing focused on the music of your prose—rhythm, cadence, word choice, and flow—so that every sentence is working in service of your story.
In a line edit, I look closely at how your language carries meaning. I smooth awkward phrasing, tighten overwriting, flag repetition, and refine transitions, all while preserving the voice that makes your work uniquely yours. This isn’t about imposing a style or flattening your tone—it’s about helping your natural voice come through more clearly and powerfully on the page.
Think of line editing as polish with purpose. We’re not just making things “prettier”—we’re sharpening impact, clarifying intention, and ensuring your prose carries the weight of the story you’re telling.
Pricing
$0.025/word
- i.e. 100,000 words equals $2,500
Best For
- Near-final drafts
- Authors preparing for submission or publication
What I Look For
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Sentence structure and variation
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Pacing within paragraphs and scenes
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Emotional beats and emphasis
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Consistency of voice
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Precision of language
Turnaround Time
Standard turnaround for line editing is 3–5 weeks, depending on manuscript condition.
Express Option
For time-sensitive projects, Express Line Editing is available.
- Turnaround: 14 days
- Rush fee: +$600
- Subject to availability
Line Editing FAQ
What is line editing?
Line editing is a sentence-level edit focused on clarity, flow, voice, and rhythm. It strengthens your prose while preserving your style and intent.
How is line editing different than copy editing?
Line editing focuses on craft—tone, flow, pacing, repetition, word choice, and emotional impact. Copyediting focuses on grammar, punctuation, consistency, and technical correctness. While I may flag obvious errors during line editing, it is not a substitute for a dedicated copyedit.
Is line editing the right service for me?
Line editing is ideal if:
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Your story’s structure is solid
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You’re happy with plot and character arcs
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You want your prose to feel tighter, sharper, and more polished
If you’re still revising big-picture elements, developmental editing may be a better first step.
What will I receive?
You’ll receive:
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In-line edits using Track Changes in Word
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Comments explaining patterns or recurring issues
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A brief summary note highlighting overall strengths and areas to keep an eye on during revision
Will you rewrite my voice?
No. My goal is to refine and elevate your voice—not replace it. I strengthen clarity and impact while keeping your style intact.
Do you cut words?
Yes, when appropriate. I’ll trim repetition, tighten phrasing, and eliminate unnecessary filler to improve flow—while preserving meaning and tone.
Can you help cut word count?
Absolutely. Line editing often naturally reduces word count by tightening language and eliminating redundancy. For major structural cuts, developmental editing may be more effective.
Do you follow a style guide?
Yes. I follow The Chicago Manual of Style for consistency and industry-standard formatting unless otherwise requested.
What genres do you line edit?
I specialize in adult and YA romance, fantasy, science fiction, and paranormal fiction.
How long does line editing take?
Turnaround typically ranges from 3–6 weeks, depending on manuscript length and availability. Express options may be available for an additional fee.
Can I combine line editing with developmental editing?
Yes. Many authors choose to book developmental editing first, revise, and then schedule line editing as the polishing stage before querying or submission.
Can you speak before booking?
Absolutely. I’m happy to schedule a discovery call to determine if line editing is the right fit for your manuscript.
Combine Services
Combine two or more services to give your manuscript the attention it deserves. And there’s a discount when you bundle services.
Popular Bundles
Developmental Edit + Line Edit
→ Big-picture + sentence-level polish
Two-pass Developmental Edit
→ One structural pass +second refinement pass
Plot Analysis → Dev Edit
→ Fix structure first + deep craft
How bundling works
- Discounted add-on services
- Custom timeline
- Tailored scope