Editorial Feedback
So, you’ve written something. Now what? How can you ensure it’s as good as you can make it?
Honest, informed and constructive critique from someone with direct experience of the publishing industry can be hard to come by for new writers.
Whether you’re feeling a bit stuck with your manuscript (it’s common to write yourself into a dead end in a first draft) or you just want an objective opinion on what you’ve written so far, professional editorial feedback can make all the difference.
I can help
As an experienced developmental editor, I won’t just tell you the symptoms of what might not be working in your book manuscript. Instead, you get a diagnosis of what’s behind any problems I uncover, plus a prescription for how to make it better.
I’ve been working professionally as an editor since 1998. I can give you detailed commentary on your writing, with line-by-line editorial suggestions. I’ll look at the bigger picture of your manuscript, assessing how the structure, pacing and storytelling could be improved - and I’ll give you an honest appraisal of its commercial viability.
Get an expert’s eyes on your book.
People have different reasons for wanting a new set of eyes on their manuscript, but here are some common ones:
You're pretty happy with your manuscript overall, but you want to check that it’s as compelling as possible.
You have got as far as you can with the draft that you’ve written - something feels a bit ‘off’ though, and you need help to pinpoint what it is.
You want to understand how commercially viable your book is and what you could do to make it stronger.
You want clear actionable advice so you know exactly which changes to make.
How do you know if editorial feedback is right for you?
Here are some of the reasons you might want to sign up:
You want to find out what small tweaks an experienced editor could suggest to take your manuscript from good to great.
You want some fresh ideas and a new perspective - you know you’ve reached the point where you can’t see the woods for the trees
You’re feeling a bit stuck - you think something big might need to change about your manuscript but you don’t really know where to start. Maybe you need to cut a whole section, or write it from a different POV - you need external advice about what’s working and what’s not.
“Thank you Sophy for being rigorous and honest and steadfast. Golden.”
— Angela Jackson, from the Acknowledgements of her book, The Darlings.
There are 3 options for editorial feedback
Depending on your needs and budget, you might opt just for an editorial report; or for the report plus developmental editing comments and markups on your manuscript; or you might want to add on a Zoom call to discuss the suggested changes and ask further questions.
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Standalone report
Get a detailed manuscript appraisal, looking at core elements of your book, like pacing, style, marketability and overall structure, with advice on the changes to make.
Usual turnaround time: 4 weeks.
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Report + Edit
Get a report plus on-page editorial comments and and suggestions, picking up on smaller line edits, highlighting possible changes to the text and making clarifications, or asking questions.
Usual turnaround: 6 weeks.
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1:1 Call
Add a 30 minute Zoom call with Sophy to discuss edits, next steps and ask your questions about the the publishing process and next steps.
How much does it cost?
Editorial feedback is costed by word count, so please see this table of fees for more information.
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Any questions about whether this is right for you?
Peter Mohan
“Sophy is both encouraging and plain-speaking, which is a very helpful combination. She listens clearly and responds directly and with understanding.”
Clare Hunter
“Sophy’s guidance came at just the right time and gave me pointers which allowed me to critique my book more clearly and know what I needed to work on.”
If this sounds good, here’s how to get started…
The next step is simple - just email me to make sure I have availability at the moment
In your email please include a little bit of background about yourself and your writing history and please attach a few pages of your manuscript. Please feel free to ask any questions you might have as well!
Within 2 working days you’ll get a reply from me, confirming timescales, availability and your fee.
If you decide to go ahead, you’ll get your report within 4-6 weeks of paying your fee.
And if you have any questions you’d like me to answer in the meantime, I’m very happy to answer them - just drop me a line at sophy@sophydale.com.
Ready for professional feedback?
“Sophy’s response was prompt, thoughtful and reassuring, for it drew clearly on her extensive professional experience; she suggested a fantastic range of relevant reading, made pertinent comments about style and picked up meticulously on detail.
At the same time, I felt that she ‘got’ me, that she was sensitive to what it was that I was trying to achieve and that she wanted to work with me rather than offering a formulaic response. In those early days of utter uncertainty, Sophy’s warmth and clarity were just what I needed.”
– Helene Witcher, memoirist