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Content Editing
Here are the types of Content Editing we offer:
Manuscript Evaluation
This type of manuscript assessment is a high-level analysis that falls in scope between a Beta Read (general feedback) and a Developmental Edit (very detailed). The review consists of a report that often exceeds 20 pages, depending on your book’s length.
Your Manuscript Evaluation will include sections about:
Fiction
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reader experience
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plot
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character development
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setting & worldbuilding
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point of view
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structure
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writing/narrative
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chapter feedback
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genre conventions
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commercial potential & marketability
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next steps
Nonfiction
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reader experience
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content & subject
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structure & organization
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clarity & readability
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chapter feedback
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commercial potential & marketability
-
next steps
This review is right for if you are at the beginning of your editing process (you haven’t received copy editing), major elements of your manuscript may be in flux, and you are looking for a big-picture view.
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Developmental Edit
This type of manuscript assessment explores the big-picture view down to the details. Unlike the Manuscript Evaluation, the Developmental Edit also includes hundreds of comments within the manuscript with advice and feedback regarding specific lines and details.
You will also receive a report that often exceeds 40 pages, depending on your book’s length.
Your report will include sections about:
Fiction
-
reader experience
-
plot
-
character development
-
setting & worldbuilding
-
chapter feedback
-
point of view
-
structure
-
pace
-
dialogue
-
themes
-
title
-
genre convention
-
commercial potential & marketability
-
next steps
Nonfiction
-
reader experience
-
content & subject
-
structure & organization
-
clarity & readability
-
chapter feedback
-
audience
-
reader expectations
-
title
-
commercial potential & marketability
-
next steps
After your edit, we will have a 1-hour video consultation. You have access to email consultation, at your request, during your entire rewrite.
This evaluation is right for you if you are at the beginning of the editing process (you haven’t received copy editing), you are interested in adjusting major elements of your manuscript, and you are seeking robust feedback about big and small pieces, but you are not seeking corrections for specific wording and individual sentences.
Get Your Free Sample Edit
Please send:
- 4 pages from near the beginning of your manuscript;
- 4 pages from the middle of your manuscript; and
- 4 pages from near the end of your manuscript.
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Your sample edit will be on one of these 4-page sections.
*Sample edits are available for developmental edits, line edits, comprehensive edits, and basic edits.
Beta Read
Beta Reading is a basic review of your manuscript from the perspective of a regular reader. They can help you see weaknesses you may have missed from being too close and give you feedback about the major manuscript elements you need to move your book forward.
The review consists of a report that often exceeds 6 pages, depending on your book’s length.
Your Beta Reader report will contain sections about:
Fiction
-
reader experience
-
plot
-
characters
-
dialogue
-
setting
-
pace
-
next steps
Nonfiction
-
reader experience
-
content & subject
-
structure & organization
-
next steps
Writers use beta reading at multiple points in the publishing processes, most typically as they are drafting and/or before they make final changes prior to their last round of copy editing. Many writers use beta reading alongside of editing, to improve their manuscripts as much as they can before sending it to an editor. Authors also find it a budget-friendly method to get feedback about their book.
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Line Editing
This type of comprehensive edit combines the higher-level analysis of content editing (such as plot and characters or subject and organization) with copy editing (think grammar, spelling, and punctuation corrections and rewriting for readability) to make an edit that is the best of both worlds. With a line edit, you will receive hundreds of comments within your manuscript, providing feedback and advice about specific lines and details, and a thorough report that is typically more than 30 pages. This report will also come with a style sheet that includes the spellings of names, proper nouns, and other relevant words (so you don’t have Emilie on one page and Emily on another) and a character list that includes the character name, role, appearance, and chapter entered, for fiction.
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For both fiction and nonfiction, line editing includes fact-checking and continuity checking (so someone doesn’t have brown hair on one page and blond hair on another).
Your editorial report will include sections about:
Fiction
-
reader experience
-
plot
-
character development
-
dialogue
-
setting & worldbuilding
-
point of view
-
structure
-
pace
-
opening
-
ending
-
chapter feedback
-
title
-
genre convention
-
writing & narrative
-
copy editing
-
style guidelines
-
formatting
-
fact-checking
-
resources
-
style sheet
-
character list
-
next steps
Nonfiction
-
reader experience
-
content & subject
-
structure & organization
-
research & sources
-
opening
-
ending
-
chapter feedback
-
clarity & readability
-
audience
-
reader expectations
-
title
-
writing & narrative
-
copy editing
-
style guidelines
-
formatting
-
fact-checking
-
resources
-
style sheet
-
next steps
After your edit, we will have a 1-hour video consultation. You have access to email consultation, at your request, during your entire rewrite.
This type of edit is right for you have already had a Developmental Edit or Manuscript Evaluation or if you are beginning the editing process and if you are looking both for feedback about your content and corrections in individual sentences.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Writing my first book, I felt overwhelmed with ideas. I was really impressed by the thought and care that went into the Developmental Edit with Dot and Dash. The feedback was communicated in a kind and direct way that left me feeling capable and confident.
Laura Adrian
Founder, Whole Life Elevation
I purchased the Dot and Dash Beta Read, and it was one of the best choices I made for my writing. The Dusty Garden is my first women’s fiction novel. I wanted feedback from a professional who specialized in the genre. I could not be happier with the results. The report I received went into detail about where to improve and what to keep. This service saved me from months of frustration and time on my first revision. I looked at it as an affordable investment that will save me money when I send it to an editor. Jacquelynn did an amazing job. I plan on staying with Dot and Dash throughout all my editing needs.
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Lisa Coy