Services
Our main services are listed in the ideal order of completion. We also offer several "mini" services and packages. For questions or to start the editing process, go to our Contact Page.
Foundational Edit
What it is: We read your story and analyze character, plot, style, language, etc. We provide a written report of the strengths and areas of improvement for each of these elements. There are no comments made directly in the manuscript. Instead, you'll be given overarching guidance on each element with specific examples and concrete tips for your next draft.
Who it’s for: Anyone wanting objective input about their work and ideas for where to focus rewriting efforts. This is a great place to start, especially if you’ve never had a professional edit before.
Cost: .5 cents/word (.005)
What it includes:
Highlight character and whether each one is consistent, believable, and fleshed out.
Analyze point-of-view and whether or not it’s successful and consistent.
Highlight plot issues such as lack of conflict or cohesiveness.
Analyze setting and if there is enough detail or too much detail.
Analyze story's genre, including nonfiction genres, and point out how it either complies with or defies that genre.
Examine the overall structure including timeline, scene/chapter breaks, story arc, and summary versus in-scene writing.
Via email, the author may ask questions or get clarification on their edit after they've reviewed it. If the author would like to brainstorm with their editor beyond the scope of the edit, they may schedule a one-hour story coaching session via phone with their editor for $100.
Structural Edit
What it is: We edit the “story” of your manuscript. We edit for plot, character, setting, etc. All the things that make a story a story. We challenge your work and provide ideas for clarification and improvement. A structural edit is as important for nonfiction as it is for fiction, and we'll pay particular attention to pacing, ordering of chapters and sections, dialogue, and delivering on promises to readers.
Who it’s for: Anyone who wants to make sure their story comes across on paper as awesome as it is in their head. Without a solid story, line editing and proofreading can’t do much to improve your work.
Cost: 1 cent/word (.01)
What it includes:
Highlight plot issues and suggest solutions.
Analyze point-of-view and whether or not it’s successful and consistent.
Highlight character and dialogue issues, such as a weakly-motivated character and suggest solutions.
Analyze setting, requesting additional or fewer details as appropriate and pointing out any inconsistencies.
Analyze story's genre, including nonfiction genres, and point out how it either complies with or defies that genre.
Suggest the reordering of scenes or chapters to improve plot or general flow.
Via email, the author may ask questions or get clarification on their edit after they've reviewed it. If the author would like to brainstorm with their editor beyond the scope of the edit, they may schedule a one-hour story coaching session via phone with their editor for $100.
Line Edit
What it is: We edit the “language” of your manuscript. Language includes the various elements, such as writing style, syntax, point-of-view, grammar and spelling, etc. that you use to tell your story. Our line edit also includes a style guide made by our editors specifically for your manuscript to help you long after our work is done.
Who it’s for: Those with a solid story who are now getting into the nitty-gritty of editing. Line editing ensures your story is told how it deserves to be told. A story can be great, but told poorly, it falls flat.
Cost: 1.5 cents/word (.015)
Point out writer crutches, such as recurring phrases used in excess.
Point out awkward syntax and POV issues and suggest rewording, including dialogue.
Point out weak or confusing metaphors and similes.
Indicate where pacing drags or rushes and suggest solutions.
Identify conflicting details, such as an unintentional character name change or description.
Point out sentence types used and possible redundancies.
Correct tense, grammar, and spelling errors.
Format manuscript according to industry standards.
Custom style guide for your manuscript.
Via email, the author may ask questions or get clarification on their edit after they've reviewed it. If the author would like to brainstorm with their editor beyond the scope of the edit, they may schedule a one-hour story coaching session via phone with their editor for $100.
Proofread
What it is: We edit your completed manuscript for grammar and spelling only. We make sure you don’t break grammar rules, and if you do, that they’re broken skillfully and intentionally. We catch all of those pesky typos, too.
Who it’s for: Those ready to submit to publication or just have a final, clean copy for themselves or their loved ones. Those writers who did any significant re-writing after completing a line edit with us would benefit from a final proofread, as well. Grammar and spelling errors undercut an otherwise amazing story, so their removal is essential.
Cost: .8 cents/word (.008)
Correct tense, grammar, and spelling errors.
Format manuscript according to industry standards.
Mini Services
Want to try us out without committing to a full edit?
First 50 Pages
What it is: Our normal structural or line edit services but only 50 pages’ worth of them.
Who it’s for: Those who have a work-in-progress and want an edit on those critical first 50 pages to make sure they’re on the right track, and those who are on a tight budget but want a start on editing to help them should they decide to self-edit the rest of their work.
Cost: structural edit 1 cent/word (.01), line edit 1.5 cents/word (.015)
Free Sample Edit
What it is: We’ll provide a structural edit, line edit, or proofread of the first 1,000 words of works that are at least 30,000 words in length. (Note: sample edit of a short work available here on our website for those writers of works shorter than 30,000 words)
Who it’s for: Those who want a full edit or proofread but want to make sure we’re a good fit for them and their work before committing to paying for a full edit.
*For works under 30,000 words, please see our Short Editing Sample.
Cost: FREE
Packages
We offer a 5% discount on services when they’re purchased in package deals.
The Spark
Includes:
Foundational edit
First 50-page structural edit
The Flame
Includes:
One round of line editing
Proofread
The Blaze
Includes:
One round of structural editing
One round of line editing
The Inferno
Includes:
Foundational edit
One round of structural editing
One round of line editing
A final proofread after changes are incorporated by the author from the line edit
Via email, the author may ask questions or get clarification on their edit after they've reviewed it. If the author would like to brainstorm with their editor beyond the scope of the edit, they may schedule a one-hour story coaching session via phone with their editor for $100.
What Do We Edit?
We edit fiction and nonfiction of all lengths. From flash fiction to full-length novels, we’ve got you covered. We edit nearly any genre except for select topics, such as erotica, violent horror, and journeys of sexual discovery, that are outside of our scope as readers. For fiction, we’re particularly interested in fantasy, sci-fi, and literary fiction, and any crossovers therein, and we have a soft spot for these genres when they’re tackled by Christian authors who want to show Christ in their writing without being overt. For nonfiction, we love memoir, particularly memoir written in scene.
At this time, we DON’T edit:
Poems or poetry collections
Academic essays
Technical documents (procedures, manuals, etc.)
Grant proposals
For more questions, visit our FAQs or our Contact Page.
"Working with the editors was an incredibly gratifying experience. Though we collaborated for a short nonfiction piece, every exchange grew me as a writer, whether it was due to insightful feedback or sincere encouragement. I highly recommend their services for any length of work."
~Jonathan B.
"Having worked with the Embers Igniting team on two separate projects, I have seen in action how they can take a story and make it sparkle and shine. They brought out elements in my short stories that needed attention, and then worked with me on correcting those areas. The entire process was creative and collaborative, and I always felt like they respected my heart and vision. I’m positive my stories are far better because of the attention and care the Embers Igniting team gave them."
~Mary Beth D.
"The copy editing notes that Embers Igniting gave to my story that they published in their literary magazine were incredibly insightful; they found logical inconsistencies that I'd consistently missed. The editors at Embers Igniting have a very sharp eye."
~Benjamin S.
“Embers Igniting helped make my middle-grade chapter book shine! They are brilliant professionals who understand and truly care about good storytelling. Their meticulous and constructive line editing and proofreading services truly made all the difference. And I now have a polished, publication-ready final draft to show for it!”
~Teko B.
“My experience with Embers Igniting was empowering from start to finish. Editor Melissa Blakely read my creative nonfiction manuscript with compassion and an exacting editorial gaze. She was generous with both praise and constructive criticism and gave me many concrete suggestions to improve my narrative arc and the overall impact of my book. With an eye for detail, Melissa's comments were spot-on, and she delivered her feedback promptly. I'd be proud to work with Embers Igniting again, and I hope to soon.”
~Kate M.