My Editing Style & Genres
My goal is to help your manuscript become the strongest version of itself while preserving what makes it uniquely yours. Your voice matters, and I won’t rewrite your story into mine.
I edit in Microsoft Word using Track Changes and provide detailed feedback through document comments. Rather than simply pointing out what isn’t working, I often ask targeted questions to help you strengthen the writing while keeping it authentic to your style and intent.
Along with your edited manuscript, you’ll receive notes pages that may include examples of ways to reframe sentences or paragraphs without taking over your work. You’ll also receive feedback on story structure, pacing, character arcs, and genre expectations.
If this feels like the right fit, send me an email, and we can discuss your book. I’d love to hear about your project and help your story shine.
Candy@BooksnCandy.com
Editing Services
Story Strategy Session
A relaxed, judgment-free video or phone call designed to help you sort through your book idea and leave with clarity. We can talk through the plot, characters, or a messy in-progress draft, and you will receive professional insight into what’s working, what needs strengthening, and your next steps. You do not need to submit any written material for this call. Just bring your idea and let’s talk it out.
Great for:
• “Is this a good idea?” conversations
• Plot problems and stuck points
• Clarifying your genre, audience, or story direction
• Brain-dumping what you have and shaping it into a plan
Optional (not required):
If you’d like, you may submit up to 1,000 words (notes, synopsis, opening pages, or an outline) in advance, but this call works well without any submission.
Outcome: You’ll leave with clarity, direction, and your best next steps.
$95 | 45 minutes
Premise & Plot Strategy Session
This is a deeper, more structured session for writers seeking thoughtful, professional feedback and a clear strategy for developing an idea into a workable novel or strengthening an already in-progress draft.
Includes:
- Review of up to 1,000 words (outline, synopsis, opening pages, key scenes, or notes)
- A 45-minute phone or video call
- Big-picture feedback on premise strength and plot direction
- Guidance on pacing, structure, and genre expectations
- Clear, actionable next steps for revision or drafting
Outcome: Clearer plot momentum and a roadmap before you write or rewrite.
: $150 | 45 minutes + up to 1,000 words reviewed
The First 3 Chapters Shine and Polish
1) The First Sentence: The decision
Because your first sentence is what gets you noticed.
- We focus on impact, tone, clarity, and voice.
- We ensure it sets the promise of the story and invites curiosity.
- We shape it so it reads like a confident opening and not just a “start.”
Outcome: Your opening line earns attention.
2) The First Page: Building trust
This is where an agent, editor, or reader decides if they trust the writer.
- We strengthen readability and flow.
- We sharpen voice and character presence.
- We ensure the scene is grounded, purposeful, and compelling.
Outcome: Your first page keeps them reading.
3) The First 10 Pages: The Request
Because the first 10 pages are what get you requested.
This is the “momentum” check.
- We evaluate pacing and engagement.
- We ensure the hook is engaging
- We check clarity of stakes and story direction.
- We diagnose common early draft issues: slow starts, info-dumps, thin tension, unclear POV, passive voice, and tense fluctuations.
Outcome: Your first 10 pages build confidence and momentum.
4) The First Three Chapters: The Commitment
Because the first three chapters are what get a request for a full manuscript
This is where a reader decides if your story has legs.
- We strengthen structure, pacing, and payoff.
- We tighten scenes for purpose and escalation.
- We develop voice consistency and narrative control.
Outcome: Your first three chapters feel professional and irresistible.
Up to 9000 words | $750 flat rate
Diagnostic Edit
First Three Chapters Diagnostic Edit
For writers who want to identify their recurring issues, understand why they are happening, and revise the rest of the manuscript themselves.
This service may look similar to the First Three Chapters: Shine & Polish edit, but the goal is different. Rather than simply polishing your opening chapters, I use them to identify your writing habits, explain what is and is not working, and teach you how to apply those lessons throughout the rest of the book.
1) The Sentence Level: Identifying your habits
Identify passive voice, filter words, weak verbs, unnecessary words, and tense fluctuations.
Flag repeated words, phrases, gestures, descriptions (bad habits)
Examine sentence rhythm, clarity, punctuation, dialogue mechanics, and readability.
We explain why these patterns weaken the writing and show you how to recognize them in later chapters.
Outcome: You understand your recurring sentence-level habits and how to correct them.
2) The Page Level: Strengthening your writing
Examine paragraph length, structure, flow, and placement.
Look for choppy writing, dense blocks of text, weak transitions, and important moments buried in the wrong paragraphs.
Evaluate the balance between dialogue, action, description, internal thought, and exposition.
Identify point-of-view inconsistencies, narrative distance, head-hopping, and unclear character perspective.
Outcome: You learn how to create pages that are clearer, smoother, and more engaging.
3) The Chapter Level: Putting things in the right place
Evaluate story sequencing and placement, information, backstory, emotional reactions, reveals, and major story moments occur in the right place and at the right time.
Where chapters begin and end, whether scenes start too early or continue too long, and whether chapter breaks land at the strongest point.
Identify information revealed before the reader is ready for it or after the reader already needed it.
We determine whether moments should be moved, condensed, expanded, summarized, or developed into a full scene.
Outcome: Your chapters become more purposeful, better organized, and easier for the reader to follow.
4) The Story Level: Understanding the bigger
Evaluate pacing, tension, stakes, character motivation, and story direction.
Identify slow starts, information dumps, thin conflict, unclear goals, rushed emotional moments, and scenes without enough purpose or escalation.
Examine whether the manuscript is hitting the appropriate structural, emotional, and narrative beats for its genre.
Does the opening establish the promises readers expect the rest of the story to fulfill.
Outcome: You leave with a clearer understanding of what the manuscript needs and how to revise it.
What You Receive
An edited manuscript of up to three chapters or 9,000 words with Track Changes and detailed margin comments
Identification of recurring writing habits and manuscript-wide concerns
Explanations of why those issues are affecting the writing and how to correct them
Guidance on applying the same corrections throughout the remaining chapters
Recommended resources and exercises to help improve your overall writing
A personalized revision plan for the rest of the manuscript
A one-hour initial consultation
A 30-minute follow-up consultation to use when you get stuck during revisions
The Goal
This is not a Shine & Polish edit designed simply to make the first three chapters submission ready.
It is a teaching and diagnostic edit designed to help you understand your manuscript, recognize your writing habits, and develop the skills to revise the rest of the book yourself.
Outcome: You receive stronger opening chapters, a practical revision plan, and the tools to improve the rest of your manuscript.
Up to three chapters or 9,000 words | $500 flat rate
Developmental Edit
A deep, comprehensive review of your manuscript, completed in one full read through. This edit focuses on the big-picture elements that shape a strong, market-ready story, strengthening what works, identifying what isn’t landing (yet), and helping you build a more straightforward path forward.
We’ll focus on:
- Character development and story arcs
- Plot structure and pacing
- Scene effectiveness and overall flow
- Consistency, clarity, and narrative direction
- Genre expectations and reader engagement
- Marketability and overall manuscript readiness
Every editing service includes a complimentary 30-minute video or phone call once your edit is complete. We’ll review feedback, discuss next steps, and ensure you feel confident moving forward.
$0.03 per word
Every editing service includes a complimentary 60-minute phone call once your edit is complete, so we can review feedback, discuss next steps, and make sure you feel confident moving forward.
A Microsoft Word copy of the complete work in progress containing tracked changes and
editorial comments
A written editorial letter identifying the manuscript’s strengths, primary concerns, and
recommended revision priorities;
One follow-up consultation of up to 30 minutes to discuss the edit and answer
questions after you have had time to review
Line Edit
A single full pass edit focusing on the writing itself, strengthening clarity, polish, and readability while preserving your unique voice. This edit enhances the way your manuscript sounds and flows, helping your prose feel sharper, smoother, and more professional.
This edit focuses on:
- Word choice and sentence rhythm
- Flow, transitions, and readability
- Passive voice revision
- Continuity and internal consistency
- Sentence structure and clarity
- Grammar, punctuation, and usage
- Anachronisms and timeline inconsistencies
- Light story and structural suggestions
Every editing service includes a complimentary 30-minute phone call once your edit is complete, so we can review feedback, discuss next steps, and make sure you feel confident moving forward.
$0.04 per word
Comprehensive Edit
A complete, start-to-finish editing package designed to take your manuscript from draft to polished, publication-ready work. This service includes multiple rounds of feedback at both the big-picture and sentence level, followed by a final proofread to ensure your manuscript is clean, consistent, and ready for submission or publication.
This package includes:
- One Developmental Edit
Structure, pacing, character arc, story arc, plot clarity, and market readiness
- Two Line Edits
Style, clarity, flow, continuity, consistency, and voice strengthening
- One Proofread/Final Polish
Grammar, typos, and formatting inconsistencies
How it works:
- This package requires three rounds of author revisions between each stage, so your manuscript improves in layers.
- Every round includes a 30-minute video or phone call after each edit is delivered, so we can review your feedback, answer questions, and clarify your next steps.
Important Note:
Because this service includes multiple rounds of editing, turnaround time will vary depending on revision speed and scheduling.
$0.105 per word