EDITING SERVICES

Engage as many readers and players as possible with developmental and line editing

FICTION

Short Stories, Novellas, & Novels

Developmental Editing

I provide recommendations to improve characters, plot, pacing, setting, and overall enjoyment for the reader. You will also receive an editorial letter that breaks down each of the major categories analyzed with possible solutions outlined next to each topic.

Line Editing

I comb through your manuscript line by line and suggest recommendations to improve word choice, description, style, consistency, sentence structure, and overall readability.

“I found Leslie a joy to work with. She was very supportive of me as a first-time writer, guiding me through the process with great clarity. Without exception, her suggestions were insightful and helpful and added a great deal of polish to the final product. I’d wholeheartedly recommend working with her and would love to do so again.”

-Paul M.

Combined Developmental & Line Editing

This will be completed with two separate passes with time in between to allow developmental changes to be implemented first.

TABLETOP GAMING

Roleplaying & Board Games

Roleplaying Game Adventures & Scenarios

Developmental & Line Editing Combined

I love preparing and playing pre-made adventures and scenarios. I bring my years of experience as a Game Master to my developmental edits to ensure the GM has all the information they need to plan and it is organized in a logical and easy to find way. I also analyze the plot, clues, and obstacles that the players will encounter and recommend changes to improve playability and balance at the table. Once the developmental changes are completed, I will complete a second pass that goes through line by line improving word choice, sentence structure, description, and consistency. I will also ensure the writing adheres to the style guide of the specific game you are writing for.

“How do I begin to tell the story of what Leslie did for my book? The simple truth goes much deeper than words on a page, into how she sees a project from every angle. One of the best things about working with her was how easy it was to incorporate her edits and suggestions. More than that, she cares about my success. I recommend her to everyone except my competitors.”

-Brian C.

Roleplaying Game Rulebooks

Developmental & Line Editing Combined

Roleplaying game rulebooks are a unique blend between a technical document, lore exploration, and story-telling. Having read and played numerous RPGs over the years, I will help to improve the overall structure, organization, necessary chapters, character creation, and rules balancing. This edit also includes a spreadsheet analysis to ensure balance of rules, equipment, magic, and other core systems in the game. Next, after the developmental changes are complete, I will complete a second pass to go line by line and make sure all rules are clear and can be easily found. I will edit word choice, sentence structure, description, and ensure clarity and consistency.

Board Game Rulebooks

Developmental & Line Editing Combined

Have you ever picked up a board game rulebook and became so frustrated with the lack of clarity that you ended up not enjoying the game? You have an awesome game idea, so let’s work together to make the rulebook a great experience for the players too! I complete the developmental and line edits in two passes. The first pass ensures you have all the right sections in your rulebook and complete a rule balance check. Once all developmental changes are complete, I will go line by line and make sure all rules are clear and can be found with ease. I will edit word choice, sentence structure, description, and ensure consistency during this phase of editing.

“Leslie did developmental editing for my game Jukebox; I’m a new author, and she communicated editing expectations clearly and did a thorough pass through my rulebook. Her feedback was comprehensive and insightful; she pointed out areas where the rules were confusing or internally inconsistent, including suggestions for how to solve the issues. With her edits, I feel confident that new readers will be able to pick up my rulebook and easily set up a game.”

-Lyla F.

 FAQs

  • Everyone’s projects and needs are unique. Book a free consultation with me to discuss your project in-depth, decide what service is best for you, and get a quote!

  • Every project is a different length and complexity. In addition, my lead time may vary based on the number of other projects I am balancing. Please book a free consultation, and we can discuss your timeline goals and agree on a deadline to have the editing completed.

  • There are a lot of stages to the editing process, and it can be confusing! In general if you are in need of big picture evaluation, developmental editing is your first step. If you’re content with the big picture but looking to improve your word choice, description, and clarity, line editing may be for you. If you are looking for grammar and fact-checking, a copy editor or proofreader is best for you.

  • My editing services do not include correction of grammar and punctuation. This is generally referred to as a copy editor or proofreader. The EFA (https://www.the-efa.org/hiring/) is an excellent resource for finding those types of editors. Otherwise, I always recommend using the free Grammarly tool to help out.