
The Services
Every story, every idea, every message deserves to be expressed clearly and effectively. Explore how Brave New Words Editing can support your project and bring your words to life.
The FAQs
- 01
Romance is my specialty! I happily work across a wide range of subgenres, including contemporary, paranormal, romantic suspense, historical, Western, romantic fantasy, and dark romance. I edit adult, new adult, and YA romance, so I'm comfortable with both clean and steamy stories.
I also enjoy working on projects outside of romance. Other genres I accept include mystery, thriller, fantasy, and horror, again across adult, new adult, and YA categories. If you have a story that falls outside of genre lines, let's chat about it!
In addition, I've had experience editing middle-grade and children's fiction, and I would love the opportunity to do more in those areas. No matter the audience or age range, I approach each project with the goal of strengthening the story.
- 02
Yes! A sample edit is the perfect way to see how I work and to make sure my editing style is the right fit for your story. It also gives you a glimpse into the kind of feedback and polish you can expect throughout the full project, so you can feel confident about moving forward. Just send me your first chapter in a Word Doc or PDF.
- 03
Beta reading is all about big-picture feedback. I approach your manuscript as an average reader would. This means looking at the flow of the story, the strength of the plot, the consistency of the character arcs, and the moments that either shine or fall flat.
The goal isn't to polish grammar or sentence structure but to help you see what is and isn't working on a story level. (Although, I may share some extra insights because that's just the way my copy editor brain works!)
As I read, I'll leave in-line comments to capture my immediate reactions and questions in real time. With those notes, you'll also receive a comprehensive document that breaks down my feedback in a clear, organized way. This allows you to get a reader's honest perspective and a thoughtful analysis you can use to guide your revisions.
- 04
Developmental editing digs deeper into your story. Instead of focusing on surface-level details, I'll address fundamental issues that shape the entire manuscript. That includes things like plot structure, pacing, point of view, worldbuilding, character development, and overall narrative flow.
If something doesn't quite work, I'll not only point it out but also explain why it's an issue and how it affects the story as a whole. You can expect in-line suggestions as I move through your manuscript and a detailed breakdown afterward that ties everything together.
My feedback is a balance of constructive criticism and concrete, actionable recommendations designed to help you strengthen weak spots while building on what already works. The goal is to give you a clear path forward so your story reaches its fullest potential and you do your characters justice.
- 05
Line and copy editing offer a meticulous review of your manuscript to ensure accuracy, consistency, clarity, and readability. I'll look closely at grammar, spelling, punctuation, and word choice, as well as the flow of your sentences and paragraphs. Repetition, awkward phrasing, and inconsistencies in tone, style, or details will be flagged so your story reads smoothly.
At this stage, I will be able to perform light fact-checking. However, the hope would be that you have resolved any major issues having to do with reality (if you are writing a piece set in a different time period, for instance) prior to copy editing.
All edits will be tracked in your manuscript for easy access, giving you full control over what changes to accept or reject. When needed, I'll also provide explanations for my recommendations so you understand why I'm making the suggestions I am. The goal is to refine your prose while keeping your unique voice intact.
(Keep in mind that use "line editing" and "copy editing" interchangeably because I focus on quality and technicality at the same time.)
- 06
Proofreading is the final line of defense before your book is ready for publication. At this stage, I'll focus on catching the small but critical errors that can slip through the earlier rounds of editing. That might include typos, spelling inconsistencies, incorrect punctuation, missing words, and formatting issues.
Even if your manuscript has already gone through copy editing, proofreading is still essential. Fresh eyes at this stage can catch lingering mistakes and polish the text to a professional finish. It's all about making sure that nothing distracts your reader once the story is out in the world.
- 07
I think it's important to have different editors for different stages of the editing process. While there are editors (like me!) who can handle multiple services, your manuscript ultimately benefits from getting more eyes on it. Every reader has a different experience, and when your book is going out into the world to reach thousands, having multiple perspectives ensures your story resonates and reads smoothly.
That said, I'm absolutely happy to combine two of my services for any given project. After we've done beta reading and you've cleaned things up, let's do developmental editing! Or if you've completed the copy edits I've suggested, send the document my way again for a final proofreading round! (If you're interested in a duo package, chat with me about special rates.)
I just don't recommend combining all four services for one project, especially when it comes to full-length novels. Invest in your team so you can create the best book possible.
- 08
The timeline for editing depends on the length and complexity of your manuscript, as well as the type of service you choose. Here is a general guideline for delivery times:
Beta Reading: within two weeks
Developmental Editing: within three weeks
Line & Copy Editing: within three weeks
Proofreading: within two weeks
I always strive to deliver high-quality work within a reasonable timeframe. If you have a specific deadline in mind for your project, please let me know and we can work together to find the best solution.
- 09
Pricing depends on the type of editing you need and the length of your manuscript. My current prices are as follows:
Beta Reading: $0.006 per word
Developmental Editing: $0.016 per word
Line & Copy Editing: $0.016 per word
Proofreading: $0.006 per word
All prices are listed in United States dollars and are calculated based on the total word count of your manuscript.
(If you're interested in a duo package, chat with me about special rates.)
The Testimonials
Author, Cozy Romance Novel
"Megan went above and beyond to provide a detailed analysis of my story's plot, characterization, story arcs, and more! And she was super fast, finishing up everything more than a week ahead of schedule. I'd definitely recommend her to anyone looking for both a reader's and a writer's analysis of your story in progress."
