Developmental Editing
Big-picture feedback on plot, pacing, structure and argument before you polish.
Learn more about Developmental EditingLine Editing That Makes Every Sentence Work Harder
Line editing refines how your book reads. We tighten wording, smooth rhythm and remove the small stumbles that pull a reader out of the story.
- Edits shown in tracked changes
- Style, tone and clarity improved
- Consistent spelling and terminology
- You accept or reject each change
Request a quote for Line Editing
Tell us about your book and we will reply within one working day.
About this service
What our line editing service involves
A line edit sits between the structural review and the final proofread. The editor reads sentence by sentence, asking whether each one is clear, necessary and in the right voice. Repeated words, tangled phrasing, vague verbs and awkward transitions are fixed so the writing flows without losing its character.
Because every change is shown in tracked changes, you stay fully in control. You can accept the edits that feel right, reject those that do not and read short explanations where a pattern needs attention. A style sheet records decisions on spelling, names and terms, which keeps the book consistent from the first page to the last.
Benefits
Six reasons authors choose our line editing
Smoother reading
Clunky sentences are reworked so readers stay with the story or the argument.
Stronger voice
Tone is kept consistent, and flat or repetitive passages are brought to life.
Clarity for readers
Jargon, ambiguity and over-long sentences are tightened or explained.
Full control
Every edit appears in tracked changes with comments where useful.
A style sheet
Spellings, names, hyphenation and capitalisation decisions are recorded for future books.
Print-ready foundation
A line-edited manuscript is ready for a final proofread and formatting.
Our approach
How we handle line editing
Line editing looks for patterns as well as individual slips. If every paragraph begins with the same word, or three adjectives are stacked where one will do, the editor adjusts the pattern and tells you why. Over time you learn to spot these habits yourself, which improves the next book as well as this one.
We take particular care with voice. In dialogue, characters should sound different from each other. In non-fiction, the author should sound like a person, not a textbook. Edits are made with a light hand so that your style survives and improves, rather than being flattened into something neutral.
Common mistakes we help you avoid
- Overwriting. Long, ornate sentences tire readers. Clear and direct usually wins, and we trim accordingly.
- Inconsistent terms. Switching between spellings or names confuses readers. A style sheet keeps every decision consistent.
- Accepting every change blindly. It is your book. Use the tracked changes to choose what fits your voice.
What is included
Everything in our line editing service
Your written quote lists the exact scope. As a guide, this is what a typical project includes:
- Sentence-level edit of the full manuscript
- Tracked changes in Word
- Comments explaining recurring issues
- Consistency check for names, terms and timeline
- Style sheet
- Short summary of main patterns
- One round of author queries
- Clean copy on request
Who it is for
Is this service right for you?
This service is a good fit if you are:
- Authors who have already revised their structure
- Writers whose English is a second language
- Non-fiction authors who want clearer prose
- Novelists polishing before submission or publication
- Authors preparing a final manuscript for design
How it works
Our line editing process in 5 steps
Sample edit
We can edit a short sample so you see the style of changes before committing.
Full edit
The editor works through the whole manuscript in tracked changes.
Author review
You accept or reject changes and answer any queries.
Consistency pass
We apply final decisions and update the style sheet.
Hand-off
You receive the edited manuscript, ready for proofreading.
Ready to start your line editing project?
Tell us about your book. We reply within one working day with a clear plan and a written quote.
FAQ
Questions about line editing
Is line editing the same as copyediting?
They overlap. Line editing focuses on style and flow, while copyediting focuses on grammar, usage and consistency. Our line edit covers both at sentence level.
Will you change my voice?
We refine it, not replace it. Where we suggest a stronger option you can always reject it.
Which spelling do you use?
US or UK English, whichever suits your readers. We confirm it at the start.
Do I still need a proofread afterwards?
We recommend it. A proofread catches the last typos introduced during revisions and formatting.
Can you edit a book written in another language first?
We work on English manuscripts. If English is your second language, line editing is especially helpful.
Related services
Services that work well with line editing
Proofreading
A final pass for typos, punctuation and formatting slips before publication.
Learn more about ProofreadingInterior Formatting
Professional layout for paperback and ebook so the inside looks as good as the cover.
Learn more about Interior Formatting