Stylistic editing (also known as line editing) focuses specifically on the language of your manuscript. These are intensive, sentence-by-sentence, paragraph-by-paragraph edits aimed at enhancing the artistry of your work. On a technical level, the primary goal of a stylistic edit is to clarify meaning, ensure coherence and flow, and refine a manuscript’s language; however, my approach to stylistic editing goes beyond these elements to unearth the best version of your narrative voice and create an immersive and compelling experience for your readers.

What does stylistic editing cover?

Stylistic editing borrows from both developmental and copy editing, making it an incredibly adaptable service. For this reason, it’s difficult to articulate exactly what stylistic editing is, and every editor seems to approach it differently.

Though it is quite common for editors to roll stylistic editing into developmental or copy editing, I offer it as a separate editorial service. I am attentive to a manuscript’s tone, word choice, syntax, lyricism, voice, and how readers may experience the text. Because I firmly believe that a manuscript’s overall structure is replicated on the sentence level, my approach to stylistic editing is intrinsically linked to the broader structural components of a work. For example, instead of commenting on a character’s development over the course of a novel, I look at how this development is reflected in things like their dialogue and narration; instead of commenting on a memoir’s overall pacing, I look at how this pace is replicated (or not) by the pacing of your sentences, paragraphs, and chapters.

My Stylistic Edits are provided through Word’s track changes and comments functions.

Does your book need stylistic editing?

If you are confident in the overall structure of your manuscript but feel that the writing isn’t yet bringing your story to life, Stylistic Editing may be the right option for you. That said, not every writer or project needs stylistic editing.

How much does it cost?

The cost of stylistic editing varies based on a manuscript’s length, stage of development, and genre. That said, my edits usually range between $35 and $40 CAD per 1,000 words. That means a standard manuscript of 60,000 words costs between $2,100 and $2,400.

If you are interested in working with me, please complete an estimate request and email the first 3 chapters of your book to senicamaltese@gmail.com. If you are inquiring about a picture book, short story, novella, or essay, please send the entire manuscript. To avoid confusion, I ask that you supply your sample within 72 hours of completing your estimate request.