The birth and ease of digital publishing has caused seismic changes in the publishing industry. Anyone who chooses to become an author can do so! But the competition for visibility is stiff in a global marketplace, so make sure your projects display the professionalism of a substantive edit, which helps writers define their goals, identify their readers and shape their manuscript in the best possible way, clarifying, suggesting improvements and identifying missed opportunities for the author. Based on the experience of having edited several hundred novellas and books, both fiction and non-fiction, The Write Touch provides editing services for both traditional and self-publishing projects in either digital or print formats.
Editorial Assessment
An editorial assessment will provide you with a capsule written overview of the critical elements of your partial or completed manuscript, including plot and character development, voice, pacing, style and continuity. The report will indicate weaknesses and make suggestions for building upon strengths.
Developmental Edit
A developmental edit offers a thorough examination of all the basic building blocks of your work, including overall structure, characterization and sub-plot balance, and may point out plotting holes, redundancies, inconsistencies in style, pacing, gaps in continuity, etc. Suggestions for cuts, additions, or rearrangement of the content may also be made. Typically, a detailed conversation is scheduled with the author by phone, Skype or Facetime to explain findings before sending a written report and suggestions.
Line Edit
As its name implies, a line edit is a line-by-line review of the manuscript, correcting structure, pacing, character or dialogue issues that can be improved. Though technically not a copy edit, this service will catch most spelling, grammar and punctuation errors, as well as typos. It will eliminate redundancies and restructure sentences if necessary to improve accuracy and flow. The manuscript will be edited in Word, using Track Changes so that the author can easily spot the edits, and will include margin notes with explanations for the changes.
Text Refresh
Many authors have regained their rights to previously traditionally published books, and now wish to reissue them in either digital or print format. But the text may be dated and the style and content not reflective of the voice the author’s current readership is expecting. A text refresh addresses these issues, giving the novel new life for a contemporary audience.
Personal Statement and Resume Refinement & Polishing
Each university, college or graduate school has its own admissions requirements for personal statements that serve to help applicants stand out from the pack. Resumes and C.V.’s for job applications must also be tailored specifically to the position being sought. Having these documents professionally refined and polished will ensure that the writer doesn’t unintentionally cross that fine line between boasting and making a favorable positive impression when it’s crucial to an education or career.