Fiction Editing
A great story can be undermined by inconsistencies, repetitive wording, awkward sentences, and mechanical errors. At Book Magic, we help fiction writers polish their manuscripts while preserving their unique voice. Our editors have decades of experience proofreading, evaluating, and copy editing fiction, and we know exactly what to look for.
Not sure whether we’re the right fit? We offer a free sample edit of 600–1,000 words so you can see our approach before making a commitment.
What We Look For
First, we address the fundamentals: spelling, grammar, punctuation, and typographical errors. We also ensure consistency in style throughout your manuscript. Whether you prefer Canadian, U.S., or UK English, we create a style sheet and standardize spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and formatting from beginning to end.
We also examine the manuscript as a whole, looking for inconsistencies and redundancies that can distract readers. This is particularly important in novels. Perhaps a character is introduced as a fourteen-year-old nephew in Chapter 2 but suddenly becomes eleven in Chapter 17. Or a character’s eye colour changes halfway through the story. We flag these issues and bring them to the author’s attention.
Repetition is another common concern. An author may describe a character as devious or underhanded several times throughout a novel, reducing the impact of those descriptions. When appropriate, we identify repetitive words, phrases, or ideas and suggest ways to strengthen the prose.
We also watch for overused words. In my first book, I used the word “however” dozens of times without realizing it. A good editor notices these patterns and helps create a more varied and engaging reading experience.
Proofreading
Our proofreading service includes:
- Correcting spelling, grammar, punctuation, and typographical errors
- Flagging confusing or unclear sentences
- Requesting clarification when necessary
- Checking consistency in capitalization and punctuation
- Ensuring a polished final manuscript
Rate: 1.2 cents per word
Copy Editing
Our copy-editing service includes everything in the proofreading package, plus:
- Creating and applying a style sheet
- Standardizing spelling and usage according to Canadian, U.S., or UK English conventions
- Identifying repetitive words, phrases, and ideas
- Suggesting improvements for clarity and readability
- Flagging continuity issues and inconsistencies
- Removing redundancies
- Ensuring consistency in chapter titles, headings, and formatting
The result is a clean, polished manuscript that is ready for agents, publishers, or self-publication.
Rate: 2 cents per word
Please inquire about our free sample edits of 600–1,000 words and our flexible payment plans.
