Services

Hey, Matt here. Yep, I’m switching to first person to discuss my services. Why? Well, I didn’t spend all that time learning the rules to not break them occasionally. Let’s get into it.

Manuscript review (free!)

Before recommending any extensive editing services, I’ll assess your manuscript (first 4,000 words) and provide a brief editorial report. The assessment helps both me and you understand the level and intensity of editing required.

Ready to submit your manuscript for assessment?

Developmental edit (big picture)

Developmental editing focuses on the big-picture elements of writing and storytelling. The aim is to fine-tune your content before moving on to beta reading or sentence-level editing.

With a developmental edit, I focus on improving or addressing the following elements:

• Plot (is there a satisfying story arc?)
• Hook (is there a unique angle and compelling inciting incident?)
• Characterisation (character depth, development, motivations, and actions)
• Character voice (does each character have a distinct voice?)
• Conflict and tension
• Set-ups and pay-offs
• Plot holes, illogicalities, and inconsistencies
• Scene construction (is each scene the best it can be?)
• Structure and flow
• Pacing
• Worldbuilding
• Author voice (is your unique personality coming through?)
• Themes (are themes consistent and evident?)
• Tense, point of view, and viewpoint selection
• Content (is your manuscript overwritten or underwritten?)
• Marketability (will your book appeal to your target audience?)
• Any other big-picture elements

My developmental editing process is collaborative and comprehensive.

1. I read your entire manuscript, making notes as I go.
2. I read your manuscript again – yes, again! – making suggestions within the document itself.
3. I write and provide a full editorial report based on my analysis, breaking down each chapter and your overall manuscript (strengths and weaknesses).
4. Finally, I make myself available (via your preferred method of communication) to discuss my editing suggestions and answer any questions.

Although you’ll be the one making the actual changes to your manuscript, I won’t leave you high and dry. Instead, I’ll support you through the editing process to ensure you understand and can action each recommendation.

Editorial assessment (mini developmental edit)

For authors who don’t require a full developmental edit, I offer an editorial assessment, which is essentially a mini developmental edit. You could also consider it a professional beta read.

With an editorial assessment, I focus on the same elements covered in a developmental edit. I read your manuscript, making notes as a I go, and write an editorial report with big-picture editing suggestions. Once I deliver my assessment, I make myself available (via your preferred method of communication) to discuss any suggestions and provide clarification when needed.

Think of it as a private detailed book review that identifies issues – and points out strengths – before publication. Doesn’t that sound nice?

Comprehensive edit (sentence and paragraph level)

Comprehensive editing is one of the most important steps in crafting a publishable book that’s both readable (important!) and engaging.

When editing your manuscript, I perform a line-copy-edit hybrid. Why?

1. The publisher I worked for required it, so it’s how I’m used to operating.
2. Hybrid edits are more cost-effective for authors who require both a line edit and copyedit.
3. Letting issues slip through because they don’t fall within the scope of a particular edit is frustrating (and I want to help make your book the best it can be – no limitations).

With a comprehensive edit, I focus on improving or addressing the following elements:

• Clarity, conciseness (cut the fluff!), and flow
• Consistency (style, tone, tense, point of view, details)
• Sentence and paragraph structure
• Word choices
• Voice (is your unique personality coming through?)
• Emotion (are the right emotions being evoked at the right times?)
• Dialogue (does dialogue sound natural and in character?)
• Repetition (words, phrases, other info)
• Grammar, spelling, and punctuation
• Accuracy and fact checking (if applicable)

In short, editing improves every element of your writing at the sentence and paragraph level. The aim is to craft a high-quality manuscript that – following a final proofread – is ready for publication.

When editing, I use ‘track changes’ so you can see and either accept or reject each suggestion. I also leave comments to explain my edits when necessary. Once your edit is complete, I make myself available (via your preferred method of communication) to discuss any suggestions and provide clarification when needed.

Note: During your manuscript review, I’ll determine the intensity of editing required and quote accordingly. Essentially, cleaner manuscripts mean lower editing costs.

Ready for editing?

Blurb writing

Writing a compelling blurb requires more than just creativity. It also requires industry knowledge and slick copywriting skills.

Essentially, your blurb is a marketing page, and it must be informative, persuasive, and crafted with your target market in mind. Once you’ve drawn readers in with your cover and title, your blurb is your last chance to sell your book.

If I’ve read your entire manuscript, either during editing or an editorial assessment, I can help you craft a blurb that compels the right people to pick up your book and start turning pages. Need me to write it from scratch? No worries. Want me to help refine what you’ve already written? Let’s do it.

Ghostwriting

Over the years, I’ve ghostwritten numerous non-fiction books, helping entrepreneurs, academics, influencers, and other aspiring authors share their stories, knowledge, and wisdom with the world.

Each ghostwriting project is different, and I’ll work with you to determine the best approach for you and your book.

With that said, my typical ghostwriting process looks like this:

1. Plan your book. Who’s your target audience? What’s your unique angle? What’s the underlying theme that ties everything together? What content do we need to gather, for example, research, podcast transcripts, personal stories and anecdotes? What’s the ideal structure for your book? The goal is to start with a solid foundation and clear direction.
   
   
2. Gather content. Typically, I’ll gather content through interviews with you and other relevant people. Over the years, I’ve conducted countless ghostwriting interviews, not only gathering great content but also helping authors navigate difficult topics.
   
   Content can also come from other sources, including research, media appearances such as podcasts, blog posts and news articles – the list is endless.
   
   
3. Write your first draft. Once I’ve collected your content, it’s time to put it all on paper. The time required to produce a first draft depends on the complexity of the project and the amount of content involved.
   
   When writing, my goal is to capture your unique voice, clearly convey your message, and craft a compelling book that resonates with your target audience. Better yet, let’s blow their minds.
   
   
4. Identify and fill any content gaps to create a complete second draft. Once your first draft is on the page, I’ll identify any content gaps we may have overlooked in the planning phase. If we do require more content, I’ll collect it as per the previous step and add it to your manuscript.
   
   
5. Send your manuscript to you for review. Exciting times! At this stage, all the content is on the page, and we essentially have a complete manuscript. Now it’s time for you to review your content and either make changes yourself or request changes from me. The aim is to craft the content into the bestselling book you envision.
   
   
6. Edit your changes to produce a final draft. Once your review is complete, I’ll edit any changes to improve clarity, consistency, and flow, ensuring all additions read well.
   
   
7. Send your manuscript to you for final approval. Really exciting times! We now have a complete edited manuscript that’s ready for publication. At this stage, I recommend reviewing your manuscript again to ensure it matches your vision and intent. If anything isn’t working, I’ll make the required adjustments (no major overhauls at this stage).
   
   
8. Write your blurb. Because I’m intimately familiar with your content, I’ll work with you to craft a blurb that compels readers to pick up your book and start turning pages.
   
   
9. Assist you with any questions about the publishing process. If this is your first book – even if it’s not – you may have some questions about the publishing process. I’m happy to answer them all.

At the end of the day, it’s your voice, your message, your book. I’m simply here to help you get it all on the page.

Want to know more?