Overview
"Manda's work is impeccable and BEYOND helpful. She is worth every penny."
"Manda made my words flow like hot chocolate."
I'm Manda - a friendly, supportive, cheerful best-selling fiction copy and line editor with over 20 years' experience. I offer non-judgmental editing in a safe space, and ensure that my feedback is constructive and encouraging - the idea being that you feel empowered to go on to write more (even better!) books.
As I work through your manuscript, I make sure that your words are as polished and engaging as possible. I always offer suggested solutions and draw examples from your manuscript to explain the more complicated points.
In 2022, I edited over 30 novels and novellas, ensuring that they were ready for either self-publication or submission to Literary Agents.
Apart from having a meticulous eye for detail and an excellent understanding of punctuation, grammar and spelling, I am also (more importantly!) helpful, positive and friendly.
My promises to you:
- I reply to all my messages quickly and honestly.
- I really do read every single word.
- I do not skim-read or cut corners.
- I return all my work within budget and on time, every time.
I edit using Microsoft Word, and track the changes so that you can see the alterations that I make and accept or reject each one individually (should you so wish!). If you aren’t familiar with using MS Word Track Changes, I can talk you through it.
In the course of editing your book, I would be looking at:
- General punctuation, spelling and grammar
- Point of view and head-hopping
- Overuse of stage direction
- The use of tentative language
- Overwriting
- Unnecessary adverbs
- Showing vs telling
- Excessive timeline nudges
- Character description
- Chapter and section endings and beginnings
- Action beats
- Tense
- Sentence length and rhythm
- Dialogue (and thoughts) formatting, punctuation, idioms, dialects and tags
- Anything else that you'd like me to look at (within reason!)
I hope this gives you a brief snapshot of me and the services I provide - but please do contact me with any questions. I'd love to help!
Manda
Services
Fiction
Languages
Certifications
- BA Hons English Literature
- Copyediting (CIEP)
- Proofreading (CIEP)
- Fiction Editing (CIEP)
- Editorial Report Writing (Louise Harnby)
- Editing Romance (EFA)
Work experience
Self-employed
Freelance fiction copy/line editor working with independent authors and publishing houses to polish manuscripts and prepare them for publication.
Genres: Contemporary Romance (all heat levels) and Women's Fiction, Crime and Mysteries, Fantasy,
Categories: Adult, YA, MG
Languages: British English and American English
Style Guides: New Hart's Rules (BrE) and Chicago Manual of Style (AmE)
LexisNexis Publishers
Managing Editor, running an editorial department for LexisNexis, a world-class legal publisher.
Responsible for:
- editorial accuracy and consistency
- professional standards
- scheduling and time management
- editorial budgets
- editorial training and professional development
Portfolio
Manda has 21 reviews
Professionalism
Quality
Value
Responsiveness
Neil J H.
Apr, 2024
Chris P.
Mar, 2024
Adam F.
Feb, 2024
Dina A.
Dec, 2023
Dina A.
Aug, 2023
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