Editing Services

This page outlines the hands-on edits that I offer. If you’re interested in supplementary services such as manuscript assessments, talks to writing groups, and power hours, head to my author support page.

Keep reading for details about developmental editing and line and copy editing.

Developmental editing

You’ve finished your draft, and you know your story has potential — but maybe some parts aren’t quite clicking yet. You want to make sure your plot is solid, your characters feel real, and your pacing keeps readers hooked. Or maybe you’re unsure if your point of view is consistent, or if your setting really pulls readers in.

You need a developmental edit.

I focus on the three most important areas in your manuscript that will make the biggest difference to your story. Every book is unique, so I tailor my feedback to what your story truly needs — whether that’s tightening your plot, deepening character arcs, or clarifying your narrative perspective.

Here are some of the key elements I look at:

  • Genre – how your story fits with or bends the expectations of your category
  • Audience – whether your story is landing as you hope with your readers
  • Point of view and perspective – whether you’ve chosen the right lens, and if it’s consistent throughout
  • Dialogue – how often it appears, how natural it sounds, and whether internal thoughts work alongside spoken words
  • Plot – how your story is structured, whether the stakes are clear, and if the turning points keep readers hooked
  • Pacing – whether the rhythm feels right, both in the writing and in the wider structure like chapters and scenes
  • Characterisation and arcs – whether your characters are believable and distinct, and how their emotional journeys develop across the story
  • Setting and worldbuilding – how well your world supports the story and how naturally details are woven in

You’ll receive:

  • An editorial report highlighting the three key areas I’ve identified, with clear, actionable suggestions
  • Comments in the margins of your manuscript showing exactly where these issues come up — and where things are working well

Please note: I won’t be fixing grammar, punctuation, or typos here. Instead, this is about the bigger picture — helping you understand what’s working, what’s not, and what to focus on in your next draft.

Prices start at £20 per 1000 words.

Line editing and copy editing

You’ve written your book and you want readers to like it. You feel pretty confident about the plot, the POV, the settings, the timeline, the characters – all the big ‘building blocks’ of the story. But you’d like help tightening up your prose. You want it to make an impact, but there are sentences that don’t yet shine. And you’re worried, despite using spellchecks and other accuracy tools, that grammar errors could potentially remain.

You need a thorough line and copy edit of your novel.

You’ll come away feeling good about what you’ve written and you’ll be ready for your next steps in your publishing adventure.

Services grid graphic for Line & Copy Editing. See PDF download at the top of the page for the same info in a format more suitable for screenreaders.
Line and copy editing fees. £15 to £19 per 1000 words, or $19 to $25. A 50,000 word novel would be £70 to £950 or $950 to $1250.

Don’t forget to download the Cherry Edits Service Packages PDF for a more detailed overview of the processes.

If you have any questions, head to my Contact page today.

Claire Cronshaw Cherry Edits holding a stack of books in front of a door that says Reading Room