Hi there, I’m Guilliean (pronounced with a hard G). I appreciate you for considering me for your creative project! I’d love the opportunity to help you refine your manuscript to its best potential. There are a lot of choices out there, so I hope this page will help you cut through the fat and get down to business.
The types of editing that I can do for you
I can help you with all kinds of editing, such as (but not limited to):
- Copy editing is where I conduct a detailed review of the text for clarity, consistency, and correctness. I check for adherence to grammar, syntax, punctuation, and style, which might also include formatting and compliance with style guides.
- Developmental editing is where I focus on the manuscript’s overall structure and content. I’ll make suggestions to enhance the narrative flow, character development, pacing, and overall organization of the story.
- Fact-checking is where I make sure that all claims are supported by reliable sources, verifying dates, statistics, and other factual information.
- Proofreading is the final stage of the editing process, where I identify and correct typos, spelling errors, and formatting issues. It typically occurs after all other edits to catch any remaining mistakes before publication.
Frequently asked questions
What are your credentials?
I have an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of San Francisco. I’m a Climatebase fellow and an Anaphora Arts poetry fellow. My writing credits include Informa TechTarget and Nevada Humanities.
What kind of writing do you work with?
I specialize in short fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction, but I also have experience with tech journalism for digital publications.
As far as style guides go, I prefer AP style for nonfiction, but I also have a background in editing educational papers using MLA style.
How far along should my manuscript be before you see it?
To maximize our time together, I will request a completed manuscript. What this means is that you’ve taken your story as far as you can and you can’t see the forest for the trees anymore. Don’t be self-conscious and think you have to submit a perfect manuscript. Any editor who asks for that impossible task is not someone you want to work with, if you ask me. Perfect is the enemy of done, so I’d like to see it when it’s done.
I have a contest deadline coming up. Do you offer any rush services?
I do not provide rush services, because that’s not what you or your manuscript deserves. There are editors who will work on a strict deadline, but that’s not me.
Do you do any sample edits?
I don’t believe a sample edit is worth your time. I need to dive headfirst into what you have and go from there.
Do you edit query packages?
I do not at this time.
Do you offer any payment plans?
As a writer myself, I’m well aware that editing as a service can be a financial constraint to doing what we love. However, I require a 50% nonrefundable, nonnegotiable down payment before I start on any work.
Since I’m paying for this, do you offer any guarantees?
Collaborating with an editor doesn’t guarantee that your work will be published. Anyone who claims otherwise is misleading you.
However, if you’re passionate about the work that you’re producing and will actively shop the manuscript to agents and publishers, then choosing the right editor to help you improve is always a worthwhile investment.
My editing process
- After I receive your request for an edit, I will confirm my availability with you within two business days and send along an invoice for 50% of your desired budget. Please note that I accept payments only via Zelle for my editing work.
- After accepting my terms, please send the document in a format that is most convenient for you: a Microsoft Word document with Track Changes on or a Google Docs link with ‘Suggesting’ turned on. I do not accept any other formats at this time.
- Your preferred deadline begins when the document is in my hands. Any delays will push out the deadline, but I will confirm once I have the document in hand and update you if I might require more time.
- I will mark up the submitted document as needed within your time frame. Please be assured that any suggestions I make are easily reversible as long as you enable Track Changes or Suggesting for your document.
- I follow up on my edits with a separate editorial letter sent via email, sharing any feedback or thoughts that I wasn’t able to include in the manuscript. I send editorial letters for all requested work to make sure that you receive thorough and thoughtful service.
- Any requests for additional work outside of your initial request will be considered a new service request and will incur new charges.
Reach up for the sunrise
If you’re ready to move forward, fill out the form below. Please allow two business days for a response.
