.png)
Professional Editing: What is it?
THE CUTTING ROOM:
You have written your book, but it needs to be professionally edited. Unlike most consultancies that offer the standard copy-edit, content edit, or manuscript assessment, we go deeper. Joey Quince’s Creative Copy-edit methodology has unleashed the potential of a plethora of books before hitting the shelves.
WHAT’S INVOLVED?
-
Professional book editing by Joey Quince, a member of the Society of Editors and Proofreaders and consultant to major publishers worldwide including Penguin Random House, Faber, and Bloomsbury.
-
A range of packages to suit the requirements of the author and the demand of the manuscript.
-
Alongside Joey’s expertise, where necessary your manuscript will receive peer-reviewed consultancy from other industry professionals who only work for major publishers.
“
"Joey was the perfect editor! He will transform your novel into one that is worthy of the best authors. He really improved my prose, brought my characters to life, and truly created an enjoyable read."
— CYN SINCLAIR, Author of Perfected Format: Homo Genetics
MANUSCRIPT EDITORIAL REPORT
WHAT IS IT?
-
An editorial report provides broad feedback on your manuscript. It focuses on story and plot structure, voice, character development, thematics, clarity, consistency, and any other weaknesses that are specific to your narrative and prose.
-
Like an eagle riding the thermals, we hover over the story from the macro, diving in on occasion to wrest something that we feel needs addressing. We’ll then take that point and blow it up over a page or two of the manuscript report. These kernals form a chain within a broader tapestry that assesses your work and presents what you can do to improve it.
-
We read the manuscript in only a few days, but we allow a week for the story to develop in our minds. We also use this time and to assess the market with comparable books and the territories you are looking to stimulate. This process invites a much deeper assessment of—and connection with—the manuscript.
Average Timeline: 2-3 weeks
Based on an 80,000-100,000 word manuscript:
900 GBP
“
"Joey polished my manuscript to perfection and made my debut novel sing. I have worked with editors in the past and Joey exceeded my expectations both in terms of demonstrating his genius for editing vision and gift. He cared about me as an author and I felt he was truly invested in my novel and my success. I will be honoured to work with him again and hope to work with him for the duration of my writing career. I love everything about Joey and recommend him without reservation."
— NEMAT SADAT, Author of The Carpet Weaver, a Penguin Random House novel.
DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING
WHAT IS IT?
-
A Developmental Edit is a thorough and in-depth edit of your entire manuscript. It will address plot holes or gaps, problematic characterisation and all other existing material.
-
Only once your manuscript has been trimmed, pruned, polished, and developed will it be at a stage ready for Copy-Editing.
-
A Developmental Edit is the most in-depth, detailed edit available. This edit addresses the structure of your narrative, plot and pacing, voice and tone, at a micro-level. Track changes will be used to make any and all changes, so that you may toggle through the changes and comments, accepting or rejecting where necessary. All changes come with a rationale for these changes in the comments.
Average Timeline: 4 to 6 weeks
Based on an 80,000-100,000 word manuscript: -
2,200 GBP
“
"Joey Quince has exceeded my expectations. He let me know when the prose was flat, he gave me direction on my opening scene that improved the whole novel greatly, he offered suggestions related to the plot that would enhance the world I had created for my readers. Two of my author friends compared the advisory services I received from Joey Quince, with that of their own editors. They were impressed. His level of talent is not to be found easily.."
— AUSTIN REHL Author of Guardian of the Sunshine Bride and the fantasy Sihalt Series.
CREATIVE COPY-EDITING
WHAT IS IT?
-
Pruning and cutting that focusses on voice and the music of the prose. This form of editing bridges the gap between ‘line-editing’ (the US term for commonly addressing creative content in the prose, such as the voice, tone, and dialogue) and ‘copy-editing’ in the UK (which basically means the same thing but takes into account the mechanics of a sentence such as syntax and grammar. Oh, semantics…)
-
Beyond a developmental edit, the focus here is on spelling, punctuation, grammar, terminology, jargon, semantics, consistency in spelling, hyphenation, numerals, fonts, and capitalization, as well as the continuity of plot, setting, and character traits.
-
Our Creative Copy-Edit can turn a lazy, charmless voice into one that sings from the page. So if your story is on point, maybe this is the package for you: one that will unleash the voice and complete your story.
Average Timeline: 3 to 5 weeks
Based on an 80,000-100,000 word manuscript:
3,000 GBP
“
"I thoroughly enjoyed working with Joey. He was incredibly insightful and provided a lot of useful feedback that greatly strengthened my writing. I would definitely work with him again!
— AMELIO NAZARKO Author of Soul Guide
QUERY LETTER REVIEW
WHAT IS IT?
-
In a Query Letter, every word counts. It needs to sell the agent on your story. If agents are the gatekeepers to the publisher of your dreams, then a solid query letter is the key - and it’s worth its weight in gold. Agents are notoriously busy—so busy, in fact, that the bigger fish often have other gatekeepers (interns) who will sift through the slushpile before it reaches their desk. There are certain little techniques even outside of the pitch proposal that will help in reaching the promised land.
-
Having worked with London’s top agents, we know what they get a kick out of and will inject this knowledge into your query letter.
Average Timeline: 3-4 days
300 GBP
INTERESTED?
STILL NOT SURE?
If you simply have an idea and wish to transform that idea into a rigorous structure as an entry point and map into your own writing, click below.
If you want Joey in your corner to offer guidance on all of the above, see Author Coaching.
If you think you have the idea, and you want to explore the possibility of commissioning Joey and the Pall Mall team to ghost your book, see Ghostwriting