Editing Packages

Developmental edit

Developmental editing will focus on overall story structure, pacing, tone, character development, and worldbuilding. This is also known as substantial, structural, or content editing.

Deliverables: Editorial letter | Book map | Manuscript mark-ups*

Pricing:

AUD$0.035 per word

(+ 5% admin and transaction fees)

Line and copy edit

Line and copy editing will focus in detail on grammar, spelling, punctuation, overall readability, and the internal consistency of your manuscript. A detailed style sheet will be produced to ensure internal consistency and support the writing and editing process for future books in the series (if relevant).

Deliverables: Editorial letter | Style sheet | Manuscript mark-ups*

Pricing:

AUD$0.035 per word

(+ 5% admin and transaction fees)

Proofreading

Proofreading is the final quality-control round before publication, to ensure your manuscript is error-free. Shelly is currently only accepting proofreading for manuscripts that have been through at least one of the above stages with a professional editor, including the provision of a style sheet. A sample edit is not required prior to a proofread, but is available upon request for new clients.

Deliverables: Manuscript mark-up | Updated style sheet (if required)

Pricing:

AUD$0.015 per word

(+ 5% admin and transaction fees)

Published edit

Re-editing of an already published manuscript. This package can be adapted to suit the specific needs of your project. A published edit will usually focus on grammar, spelling, punctuation, overall readability, and the internal consistency of your manuscript. A style sheet will be produced to ensure consistent editing and to support the editing process for future books in the series (if relevant). A sample edit is not required prior to a published edit, but is available upon request for new clients.

Deliverables: Style sheet | Manuscript mark-ups*

Pricing:

AUD$0.03 per word

(+ 5% admin and transaction fees)

Manuscript Assessment

A budget-friendly developmental option, also known as a Manuscript Evaluation. This is less in-depth than a full developmental edit, and while the deliverables are limited to a short editorial letter and marginal notes, it can still be an effective way to identify structural and content issues to inform your revision process.

A partial manuscript assessment of your first 10,000 words is also available for a fixed fee, though it is recommended that you have completed your first draft to get the most value out of this service (see editing consults for an alternative option if you are still drafting).

Deliverables: Editorial letter (5-10pages) | Manuscript mark-up | Video consult

Pricing:

AUD$750 (partial—first 10,000 words only + video consult)
AUD$1500 (full—up to 85,000 words)
AUD$0.0175 per word (full—upwards of 85,000 words)

(+ 5% admin and transaction fees)

1:1 Editing Consult

Need some advice from an experienced developmental editor? Are you stuck on a specific structural or content issue? (e.g., worldbuilding, character development, pacing, etc.). Are you new to publishing and looking to increase your knowledge and confidence about the process of preparing your manuscript for publication? Then a custom consultation session might be for you!

Quotes may include preparation time (e.g., reading samples of your work or targeted research), depending on the focus and scope of the editorial support requested.

Deliverables: Video meeting/s | Manuscript/sample mark-up and notes (if relevant)

Pricing:

AUD$100 per hour (meeting hours)

AUD$50 per hour (preparation or review hours)

(+ 5% admin and transaction fees)

Combined Editing Packages

Developmental + Line and copy edit

Two distinct stages—combined package.

Deliverables: Editorial letter | Book map | Style sheet | Manuscript mark-ups* (over two distinct stages)

Pricing:

AUD$0.06 per word

(+ 5% admin and transaction fees)

Line and copy edit + Proofreading

Two distinct stages—combined package, with the proofreading round involving a second editor for precision.

Deliverables: Editorial letter | Style sheet | Manuscript mark-ups* (over two distinct stages)

Pricing:

AUD$0.045 per word

(+ 5% admin and transaction fees)

Developmental + Line and copy edit + Proofreading

Three distinct stages—combined package, with the proofreading round involving a second editor for precision.

Deliverables: Editorial letter | Book map | Style sheet | Manuscript mark-ups* (over three distinct stages)

Pricing:

AUD$0.075 per word

(+ 5% admin and transaction fees)

* Please note that Shelly provides a comprehensive editing service designed to support a project through to completion, and will therefore include as many follow-up passes of tracked manuscripts and collaborative discussions via email or video call as needed.

Editing Package Optional Extras

Marketing Guide

An optional add-on to your editing services package is a written marketing guide that will include:

Short and long-form marketable quotes
Scene and character art commission ideas
Bonus content (alternative POV or off-page scenes etc.)
Tropes list
Content notes/warnings (not marketing content, but documented alongside)

Deliverables: Marketing Guide

Pricing:

AUD$0.01 per word

(+ 5% admin and transaction fees)

Blurb Writing

Blurb writing is a form of marketing copywriting that can feel incredibly challenging after the mammoth effort of writing a book! Why not consider commissioning a blurb as an optional add-on to any major editing service?

This service involves writing a marketing blurb of 150–250 words, and includes revisions.

Deliverables: Production of a marketing blurb (three versions for different uses: online purchase listings, social media marketing, and print cover)

Pricing:

AUD$300

(+ 5% admin and transaction fees)

Payment Timeline

During the booking process, you will be issued a quote and a letter of agreement outlining the editing terms. Formally accepting your quote and paying a 20% deposit (can drop to 10% if the total booking exceeds AUD$5,000) secures your booking slot and pricing. For new clients, no payment is required until after a successful sample edit. The default invoicing timeline is as follows: 20% deposit, 40% due before commencement, and the remaining 40% due upon completion of the deliverables. For packages with multiple editing stages, invoices will be similarly split across each milestone. Custom payment plans are available upon request. All quotes and invoices will be issued in AUD (including administration and transaction fees) and will be converted to your local currency at the time of payment.

Endorsements

Book cover: The Witch Collector (second edition), by Charissa Weaks

Services provided:

Published edit

Endorsement:

Shelly took on the monumental task of editing my novel, The Witch Collector, after the rights reverted to me. It was no small undertaking to preserve not only my author voice for the second edition, but to maintain the heart of a story beloved by readers around the world. Shelly rose to the task and provided the expert, professional eye the book had always needed. Beyond edits, she developed a comprehensive style sheet that has become an essential roadmap for the rest of the series. Our collaboration was seamless, productive, and—most importantly—fun. She helped me improve the story while making the process feel like a true partnership!

~Charissa Weaks, international bestselling author

Cover image for The Light Under the Shadow Wing

Services provided:

Developmental edit
Line and copy edit
Marketing blurb
Formatting (ARC, print, eBook)
Proofreading (collab)

Endorsement:

Shelly made every step of the self-publishing process so much easier, helping me to understand, learn, and move forward with confidence. Her edits are top-notch, and I’m so grateful to her for picking up on things I hadn’t thought of and pointing out both potential pitfalls and ways to make the book shine even brighter. From tiny details to the bigger picture, Shelly leaves no stone unturned and presents options and ideas without ever trying to alter your voice or your story. She’s responsive, kind, and always willing to go the extra mile. From her insightful edits to gorgeous formatting, I will absolutely be working with Shelly again.

~Amanda Bouchet, USA Today bestselling author

Services provided:

Line and copy edit

Endorsement:

I’ve worked with Shelly twice now on editing, and I can truly say that she leaves no stone unturned. I’ve learned valuable insights from her, and Shelly does everything she can to make your voice heard through the pages. I honestly don’t know what I would have done without her when it came to making Moonflower the best it can be!

I highly recommend Shelly to anyone who wants an editor who will completely understand you and your narrative voice.

~Shaina Anastasi, author of THE SCRIPT OF SERUN series

Services provided:

Line and copy edit
Marketing guide
Proofreading (collab)

Endorsement:

Sadist was a launch into a new genre and pen name, and Shelly was there every step of the way to help! Not just with the manuscript itself, but with quote selection and marketing materials that helped with stepping into a new space as an author, and I feel infinitely more secure knowing she’s gone over my manuscript. She caught what needed tightening, confiscated my repetitive words and comfort phrases, and helped shape the story into its strongest possible version.

If you’re looking for an editor who is genuinely invested in your work, Shelly is exactly who you want in your corner.

~Chaos Davie, author of THE TRIARCHY COLLECTION

Services provided:

Line and copy edit
Proofreading
eBook formatting

Endorsement:

Working with Shelly on my latest book was both a pleasure and an education. It was wonderful to be able to tap into her skills as a line editor, copy editor, proofreader, and formatter. She caught things from the tiniest typos to the larger continuity errors, offered excellent suggestions for various changes and taught me things to look for in my writing that can be improved upon in my next project. Not only an editor skilled in both seeing the smaller and bigger picture, but also a hawk-eyed proofreader and wonderful formatter. I look forward to working with her again on my next project and highly recommend her to anyone looking for great editing and all the other tasks that come with final book polishing.

~Grace Draven, USA Today bestselling author of RADIANCE

Cover art of the book "The Joker and the Black Cat" by Shaina Anastasi

Services provided:

Line and copy edit

Endorsement:

This was my first experience working with an editor, and Shelly made my words shine through the pages. I have never felt this confident about pressing “publish” on a manuscript before, and she took the stress out of publishing a book. Shelly is truly a master at her craft, and I can honestly say I can’t wait to work with her again!

~Shaina Anastasi, author of the PANDORA'S HEART series

Services provided:

Developmental edit
Line and copy edit
Proofreading (collab)

Endorsement:

I hired Shelly to help me prepare my novel, The Shadow Weaver, for publication, and I couldn’t have been happier with the experience. I chose her combined editing package, and from start to finish, Shelly brought invaluable insight, expertise, and support throughout the entire process. She went above and beyond at every stage, and I truly can’t imagine working with another editor. For any author seeking exceptional editing services, I highly recommend Shelly.

~Ivy Cliffwater, debut author of THE SHADOW WEAVER

Services provided:

Developmental edit
Line and copy edit
Proofreading (collab)

Endorsement:

Shelly takes the stress out of editing. Not only does she make a difficult part of publishing feel incredibly easy, but she also provides the highest quality work I have ever come across. Hitting upload on publishing day with the security of knowing your book is the cleanest, best version of itself is incredibly comforting. To have an editor immerse themselves into your world and care about it as much as you do is such a privilege, and it really shows in the final product!

~C. C. Davie, author of THE WYTCHLING CHRONICLES

Services provided:

Developmental edit
Line and copy edit
Proofreading (collab)
Marketing blurb writing
eBook formatting
Print formatting

Endorsement:

I am so glad I took a chance on Shelly, The Fiction Editor. From her sample edit, I never once felt anxious opening up her reviews, only excited for the new possibilities and precision guidance she offered. Shelly met my energy at every step, working to understand the final vision without asking me to do any extra labor. Her kindness and empathy is steeped into her work, and all feedback is clearly worded, linear, and gentle. I cannot express how easy Shelly made the developmental and copy edit process—I was sick, I was job hunting, and somehow we were early for the deadlines after turning out a book I am uncomfortably proud of. If you need an editor who will see you, embrace your vision, and will know how to refine it, you need Shelly.”

~Elisse Hay, author of the FATE UNTETHERED series

Services provided:

Developmental edit
Line and copy edit
Marketing guide

Endorsement:

I had the pleasure of working with Shelly on the first book of my second series, and can comfortably say that as long as she intends to edit, I will be hiring her for all future books. The Pendragon Wytch went through a full developmental and line/copy edit, and I was blown away by the quality of Shelly’s work. The book map and style sheet have been invaluable tools for writing the next book in the series. I can pop into them at any point to reference character’s plotlines, appearance, notable moments etc. This alone has saved me so much time and ensures a streamlined series with less chance of plot holes. We all know how hard it is to find quotable moments in our work, and her marketing guide took all the pain out of marketing on social platforms by having it all in one place. Not only did it highlight a large range of quotable dialogue, but it also broke it up into sections of shorter, quippy quotes, and longer ones, designed to help with different types of marketing. There were bonus content suggestions, notable moments to consider for art commissions, and much more. For the edit itself, Shelly is fantastic at respecting your voice within your work, while polishing the manuscript into the best version of itself. I can honestly say it is the most enjoyable, relaxed edit I have done in what will now be five books. I cannot recommend Shelly highly enough.

~C. C. Davie, author of THE PENDRAGON CHRONICLES

Services provided:

Editing
Formatting

Endorsement:

When your editor gets as excited about your story as you do; when your editor understands how to make your prose better while still keeping your authorial voice; when your editor is kind, knowledgeable, creative, enthusiastic, thorough, and supportive, you know you’ve hit the jackpot. And that is exactly who Shelly is.

Shelly is a master in her craft and comes from a place of genuine joy and passion in all that she does. I was blown away at every stage of the process, from tiny details to massive improvements, to the education on how to be a better writer in my future projects. If you are looking for a trusted professional to hand your babies over to, I can’t recommend The Fiction Editor highly enough for both editing and formatting.

~R. Moody, author of the Patrons of the Divine series