Editing Services

I provide a range of editorial services for fiction manuscripts of all lengths, in the following genres:

  • horror
  • dark fiction
  • science fiction
  • literary fiction
  • thriller

I offer:

  • Developmental edits
  • Line and copyedits
  • Proofreading
  • Beta reading

A little bit about me: I’m an award-winning author with 25 short stories published. One of them was even adapted into a short film. I have an MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia College Chicago, and I’ve guided dozens of fiction workshops and tutored creative writing students. I’ve written multiple novels (although I’m still in the querying trenches!) and I’m a member of the Horror Writers Association.

I approach every project with a constructive, nurturing, goal-oriented editing style that tailors itself to the needs of the story and the author’s unique vision. This is also informed by respect for you and your story.

My goal is to elevate your writing into something amazing.

If you have a rough draft that you’re not sure what to do with, I offer developmental editing services that can help you locate what’s working well and expand it, while strengthening the places that need it.

Trying to figure out what your story is even about anyway? I can help.

If you know all of that already, but really need to make the language pop, my line editing services will hone your sentences into sharp, precise attention-grabbers.

Need to cut down on words, instead? Let’s get surgical.

And finally, my proofreading services will help keep your work free of typos and errors.

For horror, I’m your best match for

  • Literary horror
  • Psychological horror
  • Sci-fi horror
  • Survival horror
  • Monster horror
  • Gothic horror (especially Southern gothic)

So if you want to make sure your short story, collection, novella or novel is as scary as can be, I’m your guy!

However, I’m not the best fit for religious horror, and I’m not looking at extreme horror at this time.

For sci-fi, let me help with:

  • Dystopian
  • Anything set in space
  • All of the punks, especially cyberpunk and hopepunk.

I’m also open to thriller (except for police procedural) and literary fiction.

Multi-genres stories are especially encouraged!

I’d especially love to help if your story explores the following themes:

  • Violence: cyclical, systemic, generational, etc.
  • Trauma
  • Coming-of-age
  • Found family
  • Radical, leftist, progressive and inclusive stories (feminist, pro-LGBTQI+, anti-racist, anti-ableist, multi-cultural)
  • Stories that draw on scientific principals, theories and hypotheses
  • Atheistic themes and concerns

But this isn’t an absolute list. If your work explores other themes (or if you’re not all that interested theme) but you still think I’d be a good fit, let’s give it a try!

Not sure what your story’s themes are? No worries, helping you figure that out is what I’m here for!

Statement on AI

I DO NOT use AI in my editorial services, and won’t look at work that has used AI in any step of the writing process.

Pricing

  • Developmental edits: $0.03 per word
  • Line and copyedits: $0.02 per word
  • Proofreading: $0.01 per word
  • Beta reading: $0.01 per word

How It Works

  • Send an email to the address at the bottom of this page with the requested information. If you’re unsure how to answer, your best guess will do.
  • If your story sounds like a good fit for my services, then I’ll email you with a request for your manuscript, as well as a cost estimate. I try to respond to requests in one business day.
  • Turnaround time depends on the length of your manuscript and the services requested, but we’ll set a deadline before I begin working.
  • You pay upon completion of the agreed-upon edits, however I do ask for a 10% deposit once we’ve agreed on what services I’ll provide.
  • Upon completion of the consultation, you’ll receive edits back, along with a letter detailing the edits to the level that we’ve agreed on.
  • Number of responses to edits will vary depending on what we’ve agreed to, but it’s usually 1-3 responses, in order to help you best develop out your ideas and decisions based on my edits.
  • Finally, invoicing. Then, I sit back and wait in anticipation for the day I get see your story published, out there in the world!

Writers of all experience levels are welcome! Your work will remain confidential, and I’ll approach it with a constructive, nurturing touch. Send me an email at johnstadelmaneditor@gmail.com with the following information:

  • Your name
  • Length of your manuscript (word count only)
  • The genre(s) of your manuscript
  • Services requested (developmental edits, line/copyedits, proofreading or beta reading)
  • Budget
  • Questions, comments, or additional information regarding your manuscript

Let’s transform your story into the best it can be!