Premier Literary Services
Definitions
Definitions for the types of editing change depending on the source. For clarity, please find below the common forms of editing and the definitions I use in my service. These definitions are consistent with the Editorial Freelancers Association.
Alpha Reading
An alpha reader reads the rough, sometimes incomplete, draft of your manuscript and provides feedback on each chapter and overall. Alpha readers look past typos and notes you wrote to yourself to focus on the bigger picture: helping you sell your book.
The alpha reading service at PLS includes feedback, plot and character review, and recommendations for next steps.
Beta Reading
A beta reader reads the completed, edited, polished manuscript and provides feedback on the reader experience. Beta readers are fluent in their genre and serve as a test panel for the target market.
PLS does not offer beta reading services.
Coaching
A writing coach is a source of motivation and assistance throughout your writing process. Coaches help facilitate an organized and cohesive narrative, keep you on-track mentally and emotionally throughout your draft, hold you accountable to your goals, and provide objective guidance.
PLS does not offer coaching services.
Developmental Editing
This is a structural review of the plot, story and character arcs, dynamic descriptions, and all the major aspects of the story. Developmental editing often requires a new draft to fix core problems, improve marketability, and encourage readers to leave positive reviews. It's called "developmental" or "structural" because it examines the big picture; notes address the way the piece comes together as a whole.
The developmental editing package at PLS includes several rounds with time for you to revise, line edits, and polishing.
Line Editing
This is a surface review of the language usage as well as character, setting, and description consistencies throughout your manuscript. Line editing often leads to minor revisions rather than a new draft but does not fix potential plot holes and other structural problems. It's called a "line edit" because it focuses on the use of language line by line.
PLS does not offer standalone line editing services.
Copyediting
This is a surface polishing of spelling, number, capitalization, and grammar usage throughout your manuscript. Many copyeditors make these changes for you. Copyediting is a once-over prior to final formatting.
PLS does not offer copyediting services.
Proofreading
This is a surface polishing of spelling, number, capitalization, and grammar usage throughout your formatted manuscript. Proofreading is not a type of editing but rather the final cleanup to make your formatted project shine.
PLS does not offer proofreading services.
Slush
This is the industry term for "unsolicited submissions". PLS does not accept slush. If you're interested in purchasing a service, contact me and schedule a free consultation to determine if we're a good fit. If we've worked together before and you have a new project, send me the details via email.