02 Manuscript Editing
Editing that makes your book better, not different.
Good editing is invisible. Readers just notice that the story moves, the argument lands and nothing trips them up. Our editors work at every level — from the structure of the whole book down to a misplaced comma.
Marcus quickly crossed the room in three strides and he took the letter from her hand. He was very angry. His jaw tightened.
What’s included
What you get with Manuscript Editing.
Not every book needs every kind of edit. We assess your manuscript first and recommend only what it needs.
Manuscript assessment
A read-through and written report on what’s working, what isn’t and which level of editing will help most.
Developmental editing
Big-picture feedback on structure, pacing, plot, character arcs, argument and audience.
Line editing
Sentence-level work on rhythm, clarity, word choice and tone — the edit that makes prose sing.
Copy editing
Grammar, punctuation, consistency, style-sheet adherence and fact checks.
Proofreading
A final, careful pass on the formatted pages to catch anything that slipped through.
Edit letter & style sheet
A clear summary of what we changed and why, plus a style sheet for future books in a series.
Children’s book editing
Age-appropriate language, read-aloud rhythm and text-to-illustration fit.
Translation editing
Polishing translated manuscripts so they read naturally in English.
How it works
From first call to finished files.
One dedicated project manager keeps everything moving, and revision rounds come back within 48–72 business hours.
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Day 1–3
1
Sample & assessment
Send us your manuscript. We read it and recommend the right level of edit.
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Week 1
2
Plan & quote
A clear scope, timeline and price — no surprise add-ons.
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Weeks 2–6
3
Editing
Your editor works through the manuscript with tracked changes and margin notes.
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Final week
4
Review & proofread
You accept or reject changes, ask questions, and we finish with a proofread.
Range
Manuscripts we edit.
- Literary fiction
- Romance
- Thriller & mystery
- Sci-fi & fantasy
- Memoir
- Biography
- Business
- Self-help
- Academic & informative
- Children’s books
- Poetry
- Screenplays
Why Crowell–Collier
Your voice stays yours
We edit to make your writing more like itself, not more like ours. Every change is a suggestion you can refuse.
Specialist editors
Romance editors edit romance. Business editors edit business books. Genre conventions matter.
We explain our edits
You’ll learn from the edit — the notes explain why, so your next book starts stronger.
“What stood out most was the communication. I always knew where my project was, and why they were suggesting what they suggested. The cover was exactly what I’d pictured.”
Manuscript Editing — FAQ
Common questions.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Our team is a phone call away.
+1 (234) 567 8901Which type of editing do I need?
Send us your manuscript and we’ll tell you. Many first drafts benefit from a developmental edit first; polished drafts may only need a copy edit and proofread.
Will you rewrite my book?
No. We suggest changes with tracked changes and comments. You decide what to keep.
How long does editing take?
It depends on length and level, but most edits take two to six weeks. You’ll get a schedule before we begin.
Do you edit non-native English writing?
Yes. Many of our authors write in English as a second language, and we’re glad to help.
Is my manuscript kept confidential?
Always. Your manuscript is never shared outside your editorial team, and we’ll sign an NDA if you’d like.
Get in touch
Let’s talk about your book.
We’ve ticked Manuscript Editing for you — add anything else you need. We’ll reply within one working day with next steps and a quote.
- Emailinfo@crowellcollierpublishing.com
- Phone+1 (234) 567 8901
- HoursMon–Fri, 8:00 AM–6:00 PM