“Working with Liz has been an absolute pleasure! She has been a fundamental support while creating my course content. She absolutely goes above and beyond with everything she does! Liz has done such a fantastic job proofreading and editing my course material and lessons. I have been able to film my content confidently, knowing it’s been carefully edited. I am beyond grateful for Liz, and I cannot express just how amazing she is to work with.”

Ashley C

Line and Copyedit Client

Editing Services for Nonfiction Authors

Writing a book is an act of courage. Getting it ready for readers requires expert guidance, a keen editorial eye, and a deep respect for your voice. My mission is to help nonfiction authors bring clarity, structure, and impact to their manuscripts—so your ideas reach the audience they’re meant for.

Whether your book is self-help, personal development, memoir, how-to, spirituality, or for business, offer a range of editorial services designed to meet you where you are in the process.

Developmental Editing

Big-picture guidance.

Developmental editing looks at your manuscript from the highest level—structure, flow, and effectiveness of your writing to communicate your message. If you’ve poured your heart into drafting but aren’t sure if it all holds together, this is where we begin.

Together, we’ll examine:

  • The clarity and strength of your book’s concept and audience fit

  • Organization, pacing, and logical flow of chapters

  • Consistency of tone, message, and storytelling style

  • Areas to expand, cut, or rearrange for maximum impact

You’ll receive an editorial letter with in-depth feedback plus comments directly in your manuscript. The goal: to give you a clear roadmap for revision so your book delivers on its promise to readers.

Investment: begins at 3.0 cents per word

Line Editing

Sentence-level refinement.

Line editing zooms in closer, polishing the language itself. At this stage, your structure is sound, but you want your writing to sing—to be clear, compelling, and true to your voice.

Line editing focuses on:

  • Sentence flow and rhythm

  • Clarity of meaning without losing your style

  • Eliminating wordiness and redundancies

  • Strengthening word choice and transitions

I apply suggested changes via mark up and in line comments directly to the manuscript using Tracked Changes. You end up with writing that feels smooth, cohesive, and professional—ready to capture (and keep) your readers’ attention.

Investment: begins at 2.8 per word

Copyediting

Preparing for publication.

Copyediting ensures your manuscript meets professional publishing standards. It’s about accuracy, consistency, and polish. This service addresses:

  • Grammar, spelling, punctuation, citing sources, and other technical details

  • Consistency in style, usage, and formatting

  • Fact-checking names, dates, and references as needed

  • Ensuring your manuscript aligns with style guidelines (Chicago Manual of Style, or custom)

I apply suggested changes via mark up and in line comments directly to the manuscript using Tracked Changes. Copyediting prepares your book to stand confidently in the marketplace.

Investment: begins at 2.8 cents per word

Proofreading

For the final pass before print.

Proofreading is the safety net—the last step to catch small but important errors before your book reaches readers. This includes:

  • Correcting typos, missed punctuation, and formatting issues

  • Double-checking page breaks, spacing, and consistency in layout

  • Ensuring a polished, professional appearance

Proofreading is essential for making sure your readers stay focused on your words—not on small mistakes.

Investment: begins at 1.4 cents per word

NOTE: I apply a different rate when working with fiction, as the above rates are aligned with nonfiction industry standards.

Which Service Do You Need?

  • Not sure where to start? I offer complimentary manuscript assessments to recommend a scope of work that puts you on the right editorial path.

  • Many authors begin with developmental editing and move step by step toward proofreading—but you may need only one or two stages depending on where you are.

Why Work With Me

  • Experienced in nonfiction. I’ve edited memoirs, self-help, business books, and thought leadership projects for authors ranging from first-time writers to established professionals.

  • Collaborative approach. My goal is not to change your voice—it’s to refine it so your message resonates more clearly with your audience.

  • Publishing insight. I understand the path to both self-publishing and traditional publishing and tailor my feedback with your publishing goals in mind.

Next Steps

Ready to bring your book to the next stage? Here’s how it works:

  1. Schedule a discovery call. We’ll talk about your manuscript, your goals, and address any concerns you have.

  2. Receive a customized proposal. Every project is unique—I’ll provide a clear, transparent proposal.

  3. Begin the editing process. We’ll work collaboratively to make your book the strongest version of itself.

Your book deserves the best possible chance to connect, inspire, and make an impact. I’d love to help you get there.