A process tailored to fit you

Confidence in your voice. Clarity about your manuscript. Lashings of fun and insights along the way.

That’s the Author Voice Alchemy recipe.

All my clients start with an Author Voice Alchemy session. It gives us a rock solid foundation for the rest of our work together. And you get an instant shot of confidence and some beautiful words you can start using to market yourself immediately.

Your session also includes recommendations for your next best steps. If they make sense for you, great! We’re off to the stars. Not sure? No worries, we can chat and hash out details.

If you don’t know where you need to start, I’ve got your back.

The Author Voice Alchemy process meets you where you are.

Together we’ll figure where to best focus your energy and budget, and my expertise, to get you the clarity and confidence you’re seeking. Some authors already know they need a developmental edit or line edit. Some are ready to do a deal with a genie if it means getting some website help. Some need help with everything, some have that one little bit of branding or even a plot point that just will not behave.

If you need to tackle one thing now, and then another thing in a month or two, we’ll do that. Some authors like to arrange and book the whole shebang, some would rather work month to month.

Maximum clarity, ease, joy and transformation. That’s our aim. And we’ll build everything around that.

Manuscript assessment

  • A high level overview of your manuscript. We’ll have a chat about what you like and don’t like. I'll read the whole thing and send you a report highlighting key strengths, areas for improvement, and any plot tangles or inconsistencies that jumped out. I won't touch your actual manuscript - this service is an overview only.

  • You've done it. You've written the thing. But you're not sure how it reads, or there's a specific thing or three bothering you. This gives you a good overview before deciding whether to proceed with a more in depth edit.

  • $700 USD for 75,000 words.

    Three weeks.

Developmental editing

  • The big picture. Story, structure, flow, world building. Does this magical system make sense? Why won't this character behave? Did I spend too long explaining the different types of tree? Enough cliffhangers? Too many cliffhanger? Developmental editing dives into the big picture of your novel and tightens the flow and internal logic.

  • You've written the thing. But now you need to know if the thing is doing what you intended it to do. You've got questions about the big-picture stuff, or you know there are some bits that just aren't working. You're less concerned with word choice and more concerned with whether the mystery is mysterious enough, the scares big enough, or the characters compelling enough.

  • $0.027 - $0.037 per word.

    4 - 12 weeks depending on the amount of work needed (based on 80,000 words)

Line editing

  • I'll break out my tool kit and dive deep into your manuscript on the sentence level. Grammar, syntax, flow, word choice, style, reader experience, what works, and what needs help.

  • You know the overall plot, structure, and characters work. The worldbuilding's strong. The characters are running the show, just as it should be. Now you're ready to see your manuscript polished into the best version of itself.

  • $0.022 - $0.032 per word.

    2.5 - 6 weeks depending on the amount of work needed (based on 80,000 words)

Hybrid editing

  • Combines the world and character-wrangling power of a developmental edit, with the finish and flair of line editing.

    I developed hybrid editing to meet the needs of some of my indie author clients who needed both kinds of edits, but couldn't fit both into their immediate timeline or budget. I'll pore over each page carefully. Hybrid editing tackles structure and syntax, worldbuilding and flow, characters’ choices and language choices.

    My clients tell me hybrid editing is a fun, collaborative, immersive experience that builds their novel to its best self, from the inside out.

  • If your novel needs help with both the big picture and the nuts and bolts, the structure and the language, hybrid editing is for you. It's a full-bodied, immersive, detail-oriented look at your novel from all angles. The result? Everything just works. Please note hybrid editing is best suited to authors who are happy for me to dig right in and make changes on the sentence level as I go.

  • $0.04 - $0.05 per word. The price reflects that you're getting two edits in one - and saving by doing so!

    4 - 12 weeks depending on the amount of work needed (based on 80,000 words)

Author website copy

  • Author website looking a bit flat? Words not lighting up the sky? No wonder - writing copy about yourself is hard as a hockey puck even if you're a seasoned copywriter. So let a seasoned copywriter take it off your hands. I'll write you a home page that connects with the heart of your voice as an author, and draws your readers in. Regular blog posts and emails also available!

  • Any author who either doesn't have a website, or doesn't like or feel confident in their website. If it doesn't feel like it expresses you, get in touch! Together we can fix that. Pinky swear.

  • Fees start at $150 per individual page (home, about, FAQ and so on), and $75 per email or blog post depending on length and content.

    1 - 4 weeks depending on availability and project length

Author brand voice discovery + brand book

  • Everyone and their uncle is telling you about brand voice and how much you need it - but what does that mean? Brand voice discovery means digging deep into who you are as an author and a person, what you express in your novels, and getting that on the digital web page. From your author website to social media and Amazon author pages, your brand is how you show up everywhere. You'll receive a unique brand book that makes sure you're never lost for words again.

  • For any author who wants to feel confident expressing themselves outside of their novel. Whether you just need a little nudge or you're needing a bushel of magic words to use, this is for you.

  • Fees start at $250 for a single page brand guide, up to $2000 for a 10-page document that covers your web copy, bios, power statements, manifesto and how your very own hero's journey connects you with your ideal readers.

    Allow up to three weeks, depending on length and availability.

Curious about my editing style?

Learn more here.

A process designed to delight

Once we’ve agreed on the ideal project for you, I’ll send you a summary of work, list of deliverables, timeline, and a non-disclosure agreement so you can keep me as your best secret weapon. I’ll also let you know what information I need from you. You’ll know exactly what to expect and when at every stage of our adventure.

Ready to discover your perfect path to confidence, on the page and beyond?

I'm ready for my novel to shine!

Frequently asked questions

  • I can sometimes take on a rush project. Rush projects attract an added 25% fee to get on my calendar quickly.

  • All my clients start with an Author Voice Alchemy session, which attracts a $150 investment. After that, if we click and I think I can help you, I’m happy to assess 1000 words of your manuscript for free and do some sample edits so you can get a feel for working with me.

    I don’t provide samples for author website copy, however, as the process is different.

  • Yes. I’ve edited several business and self help books. Get in touch to find out how the Author Voice Alchemy process can benefit your project.

  • My style is highly collaborative and involved, gentle and loving, and honest. I'll tell you what's not working - and what is. My approach is based on "this is already great, let's make it even better." My style is enthusiastic and passionate too - you can expect me to yell (lovingly) at your characters and get thoroughly caught up in the story even as I'm keeping my eye on the nuts and bolts. And I'll keep our foundational work together in mind and always make sure your writing expresses your views, values and heart as an author.

  • Whether I’m editing your novel or writing your author website, we’ll work in Google docs as my clients have found it's easy to collaborate that way.

  • Payment is via the Bonsai payment system, which my clients tell me is super easy to use (it accepts most major credit and debit cards.) Subsequent payments can be split into instalments. Payment is due before deliverables are released, to keep our project flowing smoothly.

    All projects attract a non-refundable 25% deposit to secure your place on my calendar.

  • Many of my clients are stateside, so I'm in the habit of listing my prices in $USD. If you'd prefer a quote in a different currency, get in touch and I'll be happy to provide one.

  • No, my services are to build your confidence in your brand voice, and to get your novel to its best self. I don’t provide referral services.

  • I work with both kinds of author. Indie authors often reach out to me for editing. Traditionally published authors often need more help with their website and brand voice. Those transitioning from traditional to indie might need help making sure their voice stays consistent throughout as they take a new adventure.