You’ve worked hard on a draft. You want it to land with readers. But maybe it still feels murky, or long-winded, or somehow not quite right. You’re not sure what to change or how to get it ready to publish without losing your voice in the process. That’s where I come in. I’m not here to grade you or tear your draft apart. I’m here to help you see it more clearly so you can say what you mean, sound like yourself, and reach the people who matter.

Whether you’re writing a thought leadership piece, a report that needs to pass through three stakeholders, or a website that actually sounds like you … the work doesn’t start with edits. It starts with listening.

A Calm, Practical Partnership

Working with an editor should not be stressful. If the word “editor” brings back red-pen flashbacks or academic horror stories, let me offer you something different. I edit the way I want to be treated when I’m the writer: with respect, professional kindness, and thoughtful honesty.

So from me, you’ll get thoughtful questions, honest feedback, steady deadlines, and a sense of structure so your project keeps moving and your voice stays intact. There’s no ego here. Just partnership. You don’t need to explain everything in advance. Just tell me your goal, share the draft, and we’ll go from there.

What Does It Feel Like?

It feels like a deep breath. A little lighter. A little clearer. My clients often say the same thing after a first pass: “I didn’t realize how much I was trying to say. Now it finally sounds like what I meant.”

Instead of a sea of red marks or vague comments like “tighten this,” here’s what you’ll get:

• A clear explanation of what’s working and what could be stronger.
• Comments that offer choices, not mandates.
• Notes that protect your tone, honor your intent, and gently sharpen the structure.
• A sense of being taken seriously, because I know what it’s like to be on deadline with something that matters.

You’re still the author. I’m the editorial partner helping your words do their best work.

What We Actually Do Together

We use tools, e.g., Track Changes in Word, Suggestions in Google Docs, PDFs with markups. But the tools aren’t the point; the feeling is the point.

The process feels like:

• You send a draft. (Messy is fine.)
• I read with care, in passes, starting with clarity, structure, tone, and logic to get a high-level sense of the text. Later passes will focus on grammar.
• You get feedback that’s human. I don’t do finger-shaking lectures or auto-pilot templates.
• We shape the piece together, even if we never speak on the phone.

Sometimes, that means a call to untangle something. Sometimes it means a little note in the margin that says, “This lands; don’t cut it.”

How I Read Your Work

I read in passes, and what I focus on depends on what you have requested for the job. Do you only want proofreading? Then that’s all I’ll do. If I see other issues, I’ll make suggestions on them in my comment sheet. I won’t go beyond my mandate, costing you extra money, unless you choose to expand the job scope. That’s respect.

Do you want “overall editing” although you are at the line editing phase? (Because sometimes what a manuscript needs does not fall politely into the editorial categories.) I’ll start with this:

1. Reader intent: Who’s going to read this? What do they need first?
2. Clarity and structure: What’s in the way of your message?
3. Voice and rhythm: What needs smoothing but not silencing?
4. Risk: Is anything confusing, sensitive, or off-brand?

And then I’ll move onto the focus of the job: examining how the sentences work together, focusing on rhythm, tone, clarity, transitions, and voice. As I said, I typically start with an overview read, and then I might make a separate pass while focusing on each individual issue, annotating as I go. If there are a few grammar must-do items, I’ll correct them as I come across them, but I won’t stray in a time-intensive and expensive way if there’s a consistent issue. I’ll collect comments, make margin notes, and keep moving.

I’ll also make a “silent edits,” which are standard issues that don’t need to be individually marked. Depending on the job goal and scope, those will be limited or thorough. To see what I mean, take a look here.

I’ve worked as a federal analyst, a professor, and now a full-time editor. That blend means I take your goals seriously, but I’ll never lose sight of how people actually read and make decisions.

What Kind of Edit Do You Need?

Not sure what to call it? No problem. I’ll help you sort that out, but here’s a brief sketch:

• Developmental editing looks at the big picture. It’s about flow, structure, what’s missing, and what should move. It’s helpful early in the drafting process when you want to be sure the idea holds together before worrying about polish.
• Line editing focuses on how the sentences work. It shapes rhythm, tone, clarity, transitions, and voice. This is where we smooth your argument without removing your personality.
• Copyediting checks grammar, consistency, and correctness. It cleans up distractions and errors while leaving your structure alone.
• Proofreading is the final pass before publication. It catches typos, layout glitches, and formatting issues, not deeper changes.

Often, your project might blend two or more of these layers, and that’s normal.

Editing That Keeps You in Control

Voice is sacred. If I wanted to write your piece myself, I’d ask for a byline. But that’s not what I want to do for a living.

Together, we build a quick style snapshot from your sample, your past work, or your notes. Then, within job scope, I adjust the levers: sentence length, transitions, tone, rhythm. I smooth out distractions without flattening what makes your voice yours.

I’ll never push a rewrite unless it’s absolutely needed, and even then, you’ll get options. I’ll always explain why I’m suggesting something. And if you prefer to keep it as-is, that’s part of the partnership. And if you want to learn how I’m thinking? I’ll show you. I’m always glad to jointly consider why a fix matters or when to leave it alone.

Common Fears, Gently Answered

Here’s what many new clients worry about. You might relate.

What if I used AI to draft this?

That’s perfectly fine. I clean up logic, clarify tone, and make sure your ideas sound like you, not like a tool. AI + human editing can be a powerful combo when scoped well.

Will you rewrite everything?

Absolutely not. I keep your voice. I may suggest structure or phrasing changes to support your goals, but you stay in control. Always.

What if I disagree with your changes?

You’re allowed to. Editing is a dialogue. I’ll flag potential risks or confusion, and explain my reasoning. You decide how to respond. I’ll never shame your draft.

What if I’m embarrassed by what I wrote?

Please don’t be. I work with messy drafts all the time. You’re not being judged. You’re being supported. This is one of the areas where I am very coach-like, and you will benefit from my skills.

What Clients Often Say

After the first round, I often hear things like:

• “This is exactly what I was trying to say, but clearer.”
• “I feel so much calmer about this now.”
• “You made me sound like me but on a better day.”

That’s the goal. Your message, your tone, just sharper, steadier, and easier to trust.

Real Projects, Real Deadlines

I work with clients in small business, government, academic, tech, nonprofit, and creative sectors. The pressures vary, but the need for clear, on-brand, timely writing stays the same.

We plan each project with:

• A clear scope: what’s included and what’s not.
• A specific timeline: milestones, reviews, and calendar holds.
• Defined deliverables: what you’ll get and in what format.
• A smooth handoff plan: so there’s no ambiguity about next steps.

I meet deadlines. If something risks the schedule, you’ll get same-day communication and solutions.

Scoping, Pricing, and Estimates

To quote accurately, I’ll ask for:

• The draft (or at least a sample).
• The goal, audience, and deadline.
• Any style guides or past pieces you want me to match.

From there, I send a written estimate within two business days. It will include

• The editing level (copy, line, or developmental).
• Word count and complexity.
• Proposed milestones and delivery dates.
• A flat fee or hourly structure.
• Optional: a short sample edit, if that helps you decide.

Most projects are billed as a flat fee. If things shift or grow, we renegotiate before continuing. I don’t believe in surprise invoices or vague add-ons.

What’s in Your Folder: A Quick Tour

You’ll receive your files clearly labeled. Often, deliverables are

• Tracked version: Edits marked (except for silent edits), with comments explaining decisions.
• Clean version: Acceptable version, ready to review or submit.
• Style Sheet: Running notes on spelling, formatting, and phrasing decisions.
• Feedback Sheet: A short reflection on patterns, strengths, and future considerations.

I structure my editing deliverable package the way I want to receive them: clear, organized, and easy to follow. You should not have to guess what changed or why; you deserve explanations for my suggestions; you deserve to make the final decisions yourself. This approach defines professionalism to me.

Milestones That Help, Not Hinder

Every project includes milestone points, which I see as short pauses to check alignment, resolve questions, and avoid last-minute friction. We might touch base after the first chapter, the executive summary, or the intro + outline. It will be whatever fits your structure and your goal.

These checkpoints aren’t delays. They’re clarity moments. They protect your time, your goals, and the final product.

🐾 From the Desk of Finnegan, Assistant Editor

Editing can be intense, but I’m not doing it alone.

Finnegan, my silver tabby kitten, has a knack for knowing when to sprawl across the keyboard, remind me to take a breath, or leap dramatically off the cat tower. He’s curious, slightly chaotic, and always nearby.

He reminds me that writing doesn’t have to be perfect. It has to be honest, and it has to keep moving.

So if your draft feels a little tangled or wild right now, that’s okay. Finnegan approves.

FAQ

Final Thought

Working with an editor should feel like someone is on your side. Someone who protects your ideas, your timeline, and your tone. Someone who helps you say what you mean. Editing is more than correction. It’s collaboration. If you’re ready to see what that feels like, let’s talk.

If You Just Want to Start Small

I welcome that approach. You can:

• Share a single paragraph you’re unsure about.
• Ask for a quick review of scope and fit.
• Use my intake form to send context and draft material.

You’re not committing to a full project. You’re just starting a conversation.

🖋️ Plan the edit together → Quick Contact Page

Thanks for reading—here’s to clearer writing and stronger ideas.

~~ Susan