Tumblr Editing Package
My name is Claire, and I am a science fiction, fantasy and horror editor.
I have been working in publishing since 2018, editing fiction, non-fiction and academic work both with publishing companies and freelance. Since October 2020, I have been an editorial assistant at one of the UK’s leading SFF publishers, working and training with the editors for some of the biggest names in SFF and Horror fiction. I am also a member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading.
I completed a Master’s degree in publishing, several courses in copy editing and proofreading, and I have many years of experience as a beta reader in my spare time, offering as required structural editing advice, line and copy editing, and enthusiastic cheerleading. One of my independent authors has reached the final, full manuscript request stage of Pitch Wars two years running. I also have experience writing for publication, as I wrote a number of non-fiction books in my previous role.
You can find more information about me at my blog. Please find the appropriate links in the reblog below!
Why do I need an editor? What do you do?
Editing is not a mystical art, but it is hard work. You’ve done so much work getting your story written, but now you’ve got to READ IT and FIX IT. And when you’re so close into the story, when you know it so intimately, it can be hard to know where to start. This is where having an outside pair of eyes can really help - to give a fresh look at the plot structure, the pacing, the characters, and take it from this:
to this:
But I have good news - you don’t have to go it alone! I can help you, and I have the experience of editing, the experience of structuring a book, and the can-do attitude to help you knock your work into shape. I am excited to read your work and try to help you work out how to make it really shine! I can tell you whether your message is coming across as strongly and effectively as you would like, I can help you to refine your ideas and make sure your story really pops!
The first draft of a story is always the hardest, but it’s the most fantastic starting point for an incredible work of art.
For £50, I will:
- Read the first three chapters or 15,000 words of your later draft, and a complete synopsis of the whole work OR Read up to 50,000 words of your first manuscript draft (please add an addition £10 for every 10,000 words on top of this)
- Provide overall feedback on your tone, story structure, plot, and characters, focusing on any areas of particular concern to you, but with additional notes based on my experience
- Provide resources I have made to help with planning, writing, editing and submitting your work.
For a further £20, I will also arrange to have a call with you to discuss your feedback in detail and brainstorm any future plans for your work.
 I want to work with you to make sure you’re telling the story you REALLY want to tell, and that it does everything you want it to do! An author-editor relationship is all about teamwork.
You can contact me through tumblr, or through my website, and I am happy to provide more information if you are curious about my qualifications or experience.
You can send me your documents once you have a slot, and we can arrange payment and feedback as necessary.
I love working with stories and writers, and making books the best they can be, so I hope you’ll be happy to work with me, and I look forward to hearing from you!
Please note that this is primarily for structural editing, however if you are looking for a proofreader, or have other editorial needs please get in touch and we can discuss your requirements.
Want to learn more about the business of books?
If you don’t need editorial help, but fancy pitching in and have any questions about publishing or writing, I’ve opened up a Ko-Fi, and will happily take requests for blog posts on any subject you’re curious about, or provide custom book recommendations through there!
Why should you hire me?
I’m a helpful sort of person! If you’re not sure, here’s some feedback - I’d love to work with you on your stories, original or fanfiction, so please get in contact!
Reblogs and boosts are super appreciated!!
Find herewithin my most magical and pertinent LINKS:
My Website
My Ko-Fi
The Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading
Plus, some further lovely feedback from @kangofu-cb​:
Claire spent the better part of the last year hand-holding my WHOB fic, A Heart Worth Loving, which is now my longest work to date and one of the fics I am most proud of writing ever. It is over 80k words, and she did me the immense service of not only beta/proof reading it but also plot picking, helping me isolate and emphasize key story themes, improving my characterization, and also she made me a meme.
Additionally, she has helped me with editing formal school papers at the Master’s level, and I have never had a paper returned with less than an A on anything she’s assisted me with.
She is, furthermore, a fantastic cheerleader, who will never tell you your idea is crap, but will instead cheerlead you into believing you can write, actually despite the fact what you sent was a 2 page doc that hardly constituted an idea and also was crap and encourage you into 60k words of ridiculous shenanigans that you will love in the end.
You really could not ask for a better person to help you, I promise.
