The Obsidian Quill
Fiction Editing
Services & Pricing
I Beta-Reader Report ($5 per 1000 words of your manuscript):
A detailed assessment of the manuscript from a reader's perspective, which includes:1. General Impressions: plot summary, theme of the story, what a reader likes and dislikes about the book;2. A Reader's Journey: memorability of characters, emotional experience throughout the book, the most engaging parts VS the parts where a reader might stop reading;3. Reader Insights: perceived genre, original and/or cliché elements, what a reader might expect from a sequel.Estimated Time: 2 Weeks
II Comprehensive Editing ($15 per 1000 words of your manuscript):
I've always felt it's unreasonable to completely separate developmental and line editings: prose serves the story, they are two sides of the same coin. So the editing service I offer here is a holistic package that's essentially developmental editing complimented with directional line editing, and consists of the following three parts:1. Editorial Letter:
(1) Introduction: overall evaluation on the manuscript, an elevator pitch, strengths and highlights, top-priority changes to make;
(2) Structural Analysis: plots & conflicts, tensions and pacing;
(3) Character Development: arcs and agencies of main characters and quality of supporting characters;
(4) Worldbuilding: atmosphere, consistency and immersion of the stage of the story--not just for sci-fis and fantasies, it's important for other genres as well (think how a detective noir's New York should feel totally different from a romcom's);
(5) Tone, Voice, and Point of View (POV): perspective shifts, character voices, quality of dialogues;
(6) Themes: whether the vision or the moral of the story is coherent, relevant and properly conveyed.
(7) Roadmap: detailed action plan on how you should tackle the suggested revisions.2. Style Guide:
A macro-level assessment on the prose and style of the manuscript, specifically focused on how well the writing works for the story and suggestions on how to improve, referencing specific lines from the manuscript as examples.3. Noted manuscript:
The manuscript with inline comments.Estimated Time: 1 Month
Who's Holding The Quill?
Hi, this is Leona, a writer-witch and a corporate defector.I've fallen in love with literature since I picked up The Count of Monte Cristo (my first book ever) at the 7th Grade. While I never gave up reading and writing as a hobby, I ended up spending most of my adult life doing MBA degree and climbing career ladder like most boring white-collars.Now that I actually have the freedom to do so, I want to pivot away from money chasing and do something I find meaningful for a living. Hence The Obsidian Quill.This is also why I price and design my editing service the way it is. I will not be able to take on many projects at once, but I can keep it affordable and make sure I'm truly invested in every book that passes my hands. After all if I'm looking to get rich I would've stayed in my old profession :)
I'm The Perfect Editor If Your Fiction:
1. Is more on the literary or classical side;
2. Or has a unique, distinct vision instead of just following market trends;
3. Or has something to say about human conditions and the world at large;
4. Or is thought-provoking;
5. Or has dark, dystopian, gothic, macabre elements.
Get In Touch
Please use the form below to inquire about my availability and request a sample edit. I will let you know whether or not I'm a good fit for your project.The sample edit is free and will be of the first chapter of your manuscript (e.g. if you want a beta reader report, it will be a beta reader report of your first chapter).Try to give me as much info as you can about your manuscript: a summary, if it has been edited before, whether you are looking to self-publish or submit to traditional publishers, your expectations of the book (commercial success, literary accomplishment, etc.). It will help me decide if I'm the right editor, and editorial standards can vary widely depending on these factors.
Done!
I will respond in 48 hours.
My Commitments
1. No plagerism, and your manuscript will stay confidential with me.2. No AI. There is currently no definitive way to prove if something is written by AI, but a version history of my work document will be available upon request.3. To ensure the quality of my editing, I do not actively work on more than 2 books at the same time.4. Transparent pricing--I charge exactly what's listed on the website.5. While the length of my work will differ depending on how long or complex your book is, it will always cover every item listed for that particular service.