#book editor

If you've read "Estro Junkies" or are okay with shrugging some early spoilers (and some serial spoilers) please read this piece! @dolphin-diaries is a brilliant editor whose insight into narrative, syntax, theme, and plot construction was indispensable. "Estro Junkies" would not exist without her.

"Discursive Combat" in particular very nearly ended up axed. I simply could not figure out how to guide the narrative through this iconic early serial Event, and without Emma's keen insight the novel would look very different, perhaps unrecognisable.

She was able to guide me in preserving the core identity of "Estro Junkies" while properly synthesising a sprawling tangle of characters, subplots, perspectives and yes, jokes and personal bugbears, and it's a testament to her sheer skill that we were able to turn "EJ" into a brilliant book.

She also turned a simple stock photo into an absolutely iconic cover :D

Hi, nice to meet ya! I'm Leon and my life has rapidly fell apart since August 2024. This was due to my dad's sudden decline from what we thought was from MS, but from a rare stage 4 colon cancer.

With that, there's a threat of homelessness for my mom, who has sacrificed her life for my dad and our entire family.

UPDATE (6/1/25): I appreciate your help! I was able to find a new job but still would appreciate funds to help us pay for medical bills and my father's hospice/nursing stay.

UPDATE (9/5/25): My dad passed away so now my mom is having issues staying home. I'd really appreciate this being reblogged again.

○ WHAT WE NEED ○

- About 5,000 USD minimum. This will cover moving expenses at the very least.

● WHAT I'M OFFERING ●

- $3+ doodles through my Kof-fi or DM me!

- $5 to $10 messy colored sketch commissions (some examples here)

- Virtual nerd yard sale through Mercari (I got a Daft Punk ita bag, keychains and all sorts of fun things will be uploaded over-time.)

- A discount for stickers through my sticker shop here. Discount code is: SOS2025 [I have a LOT of sticker designs. Shipping is forever and always free. Waterbottle friendly and weather resistant.]

- Novel writing critiques, beta reading and sensitivity reading (DM me but know my pricing is extremely cheap with This Economy, I don't want to break anyone's bank)

- Business stuff such as cheap logo designs, email templates, commercial t-shirt designs, business cards, I can help with that.

♡ IF YOU JUST WANNA HELP ♡

- GoxFundxMe here lol 🚑

- Donate to my Kofi ☕️

- I have CashApp, Venmo and Zelle, but I feel more comfortable sharing that via DM.

♡ BOTTOM LINE ♡

I really sincerely appreciate your help. My goal is to cover the finances so that my family can be able to focus on grieving my father and have some peace.

i want to get it bound into a real book as a keepsake. it’s 87k~

i’m looking for 1. an artist to design the book cover 2. a book binder. 3. an editor

if you know anyone who currently has commissions open or would be interested i’d love to get in touch with them!

No one talks about this part.

Not the shiny “I wrote a book” moment. The middle. The doubt. The staring at the same paragraph for forty minutes.

Here’s what actually slows writers down.

1. The story in your head is better than the one on the page

In your mind, it’s sharp. Emotional. Cinematic. On paper, it feels plain. You start wondering if you imagined the magic.

2. You don’t know what the book is really about

You have characters. You have scenes. But the core? The deeper thread holding it all together? Sometimes it’s unclear, and the draft reflects that confusion.

3. You’re too close to see the cracks

You know every backstory detail. Every hidden meaning. Readers don’t. So when something doesn’t land, you can’t always tell.

4. The middle becomes a battlefield

Strong beginning. Clear ending. But the middle drags, repeats itself, or wanders. That’s where many drafts lose direction.

5. Fear quietly edits you

You soften bold choices. You delete risky scenes. You hold back because you’re thinking about judgment instead of truth.

6. Perfection becomes procrastination

Rewriting one chapter ten times feels productive. Finishing the draft feels terrifying. So you stay in the safe loop.

7. You’re emotionally tired

Writing pulls from memory, imagination, and vulnerability. It’s work that doesn’t just use your brain it uses you.

The biggest problem isn’t lack of skill. It’s trying to build something deeply personal while doubting yourself the entire time.

I'd like to start building my experience to become a professional copyeditor. In doing so, I need work to edit!

What does this mean for you? You can submit a copy of your work to me and receive any and all feedback you'd like! In return, I can add you to my small portfolio of experience.

Things I can do, but not limited to: spelling, grammar, fact-checking/research, ensure plot development, ensure character development, enforcing style (AP, MLA, APA, Chicago), improve readability, concision, following author style, ensuring compliance (if you include references to songs, movies, etc., you need legal permissions to use when publishing your story).

What works am I accepting? Fret not! I accept anything! For brainstorming purposes, poems or other short form works. I accept novels of all lengths. Fanfiction (fandoms included on this post). Non-fiction. Creative Non-fiction. Fiction.

Included in every accepted project: For the sake of experience, I'll do everything "professionally" but you can respond however! - Memo Discussing changes, formatting with brief overview explanations of broad changes such as spelling or grammar related issues - Digital Copy of Work with Suggested Edits (edits will be made through Microsoft's 'Track Changes' feature or Google's 'Suggesting' features) - Style Sheet (if applicable) - A sheet that contains any symbols used, typically for hard copy edits (paper copy). This won't be as frequent, unless work is sent through mail, or a preference for hard copy is requested.