Book Editing &
Author Services

In a former life, I was a magazine editor and a university writing tutor.

I spent untold hours bent over magazine proofs, arguing with fellow editors about the placement of commas, or at desks at my university, helping students navigate the overwhelming world of essays, theses, and grad school applications—and I loved it!

When I went freelance in 2022, first in marketing and later as a full-time writer, I felt myself drawn back to that collaborative space of working with writers to make their work shine. I’ve always felt there’s something magical about sharing your writing with another person and seeing what it can become, so I decided to become an EFA-certified book editor, investing dozens of hours in continuing education so that I could become the best editor I could be.

If you’re here, I imagine you’re looking for an editor. I’m so glad to hear that. Below, I hope you find a wealth of useful information as you go about making this very important decision. My best advice? Be picky. Finding a good editor is a bit like finding a good therapist. Take your time. Ask questions. Interview candidates. My dearest wish is that you find someone who understands the soul and essence of your work.

Why hire a book editor?

Let’s face it: Hiring an editor can be a big investment. You want your manuscript to shine—and you want to work with someone who believes in your vision—but it can be difficult to know when the time is right to bring an editor on board.

The good news is that making the decision to hire an editor is a huge step, one that means you’ve already taken strides toward making your book the best it can be. This is an amazing accomplishment. Many, many books never make it to this stage, but yours has. You should celebrate!

From here, the editor you choose to work with should have two goals in mind: to honor your vision for your story, and to help you take that story to the next level. This can take many forms, including helping you to:

  • strengthen character development

  • develop your unique writing style

  • solidify plot and world building

  • catch plot holes and inconsistencies

  • brainstorm solutions to tricky plot points or passages

  • polish and strengthen your prose

  • catch errors in grammar, syntax, and usage

  • reduce repetition and identify “pet phrases”

  • and so much more.

Before we get started…Any questions?

  • Working with a professional editor gives you peace of mind and collaboration during what can be an overwhelming and stressful process. Furthermore, editing strengthens grammar, punctuation, usage, prose, author voice, character development, plot, and so much more.

    I recommend all authors work with an editor whenever possible. A good editor will challenge you to become to best writer you can be, taking your manuscript to the next level and giving you food for thought for your upcoming projects. They might also recommend additional reading and resources to help you continue to learn and grow in your craft as you bring future stories into the world.

  • The editing process depends on the type of edit you’re looking for, but will look something like this:

    1. We will schedule a 30-minute discovery call and sample edit to determine whether working together might be a good fit. This will give you an opportunity to tell me a bit more about your project and ask any questions you may have of me.

    2. If working together feels like a good next step, we will each sign a contract that outlines the deliverables you can expect from me, solidifies your spot in my editing schedule, reinforces my promises of confidentiality to you as an author, and gives you the peace of mind that you are hiring an editing professional who will treat your work with the dedication and respect it deserves. Please note that a 30% down payment on your services is due before work can begin.

    3. When the time for your editing slot arrives, you will send me a Word or PDF document containing your manuscript (depending on the type of edit), and I will get to work!

    4. When your edit is complete, I will turn the Word document or PDF back around to you with feedback in the form of Track Changes and/or sidebar comments containing my suggestions, questions, and other thoughts! Depending on the type of edit you have selected, you might also receive a style sheet or editorial letter.

    5. Once you’ve had a bit of time to review your edit and formulate any questions you may have, we will schedule a 1-hour follow-up call, typically via Zoom! This is a great opportunity for us to debrief and explore any next steps!

  • Turnaround time for editing projects depends on my current schedule, the word count of your manuscript, the type of editing you have hired me to perform, and several other factors, but typically won’t exceed eight weeks. We will discuss these details ahead of time to ensure that your editing slot gets your manuscript back to you in plenty of time for wherever your publishing journey takes you next!

  • I enjoy editing a variety of stories, but particularly those in the fantasy, romance, and romantasy genres. That being said, I have also edited science fiction and thriller novels, and always enjoy taking on something new. I do not currently perform developmental edits on nonfiction works, with the exception of some memoirs.

  • Of course! If you are interested in a sample edit to see whether my editing services might be a good fit for your manuscript, please don’t hesitate to email me at sophiebirdmurphy@gmail.com! I’m happy to help!

  • As an editor, I do not help you secure an agent or publisher. However, I do help you make your book the best it can be so that you’re ready for your next steps—wherever your publishing journey might take you. I am also happy to look over query letters, summaries, and blurbs for existing clients at my combo edit rate of $0.025/word. (See more about my pricing below.)

  • Being nervous to share your book with an editor is completely understandable, and something I relate to on a personal level.

    When I first shared my novel-in-progress with an editor, I remember being worried that she wouldn’t like my work, or that the criticism I received would decrease my confidence in what I had written. Luckily, I couldn’t have been more wrong! Working with my editor helped me identify what was special about my writing, and having someone else become familiar with my story gave me the enthusiasm I needed to finish writing the book I had been working on for a very long time.

    My hope in working with you is that I will be able to give you the same encouragement and peace of mind that I received when I found my editor. However, I can’t stress enough that selecting an editor is a very important and personal process. I encourage you to schedule a free 30-minute discovery call with me to see if we might be a good fit, and I hope you will explore a variety of editors and their services before you make your selection! You deserve an editor who understands and is passionate about the project you’ve undertaken! Be picky. You’ve earned it.

  • Great question! Writing coaching is additional writing support provided to you outside of an edit on a finished manuscript. This support is typically held via phone call or Zoom and can take a variety of forms, including brainstorming, outlining, troubleshooting difficult plot points, pep talks, and much more.

    Really, a writing coaching session is casual conversation between professionals, during which we focus on whatever you need to take the next step forward at that time. These sessions typically last about an hour and can be booked up to once per week at a rate of $50/hour. (Plus, my regular writing coaching clients receive 15% off all editing services on their finished manuscripts!)

    Writing coaching is one of my favorite ways to work with clients, and I’m always happy to schedule a free 30-minute discovery call to see if it might be a good option for you!

  • At Eloquent Inkblot LLC, you can rest assured that no generative AI has been used at any point in the editing process. I will not run your manuscript through AI, use AI to suggest edits on your manuscript, or rely on AI-generated search engine summaries.

    I also have a strict policy against working on manuscripts that have been generated with the use of AI.

  • One of my dearest goals is for Eloquent Inkblot LLC to be an inclusive space that helps bring diverse stories to readers. I welcome manuscripts from anyone and everyone who also believes in equality, freedom, and respect for all people.

    I have a zero-tolerance policy against racist, sexist, xenophobic, homophobic, transphobic, or antisemetic manuscripts—but am, of course, honored to work on stories that explore these topics in a thoughtful, meaningful way rather than glorifying them.

  • Yes! I am comfortable editing open-door romances and other sexually explicit content, although I expect the authors I work with to have a responsible and ethical approach to this content, and reserve the right to refuse projects that do not adhere to these expectations.

  • Great question! No, I am also happy to take on business clients, including marketing agencies, online publications, and more. Please feel free to contact me for more information!

Editing Services

Developmental Editing

  • Developmental editing is the first step to polishing a manuscript—and one of my favorites! Looking at big-picture elements like plot, pacing, character development, and world building, developmental editing comes before the nitty-gritty changes made during the line editing, copyediting, or proofreading process and ensures your story is saying what you want it to say.

    During a developmental edit, we’ll think big. Do your characters feel believable? Does your pacing convey the sense of urgency (or perhaps coziness) you’re looking for? Are there any sparse areas that could use a little more exploration?

    While daunting, this process can be so fun, and is often followed by a session filled with brainstorming and gushing over characters.

  • Deliverables for a developmental edit include sidebar comments in your manuscript and a full editorial letter.

    Your editorial letter is a deep-dive into the themes, strengths, and potential areas for improvement in your manuscript, providing you with a roadmap to take your book to the next level!

    Once you’ve had the opportunity to digest your edit, your package also includes a 1-hour phone or Zoom debrief where we will address questions, brainstorm revisions, and solidify a plan for your next steps!

  • My rate for developmental editing is $0.026/word. A 30% down payment is due before work can begin. The remaining fees are due after receipt of the edited manuscript.

    For authors looking for developmental feedback on a budget, you might consider a manuscript evaluation ($0.01/word) or beta read ($0.006/word).

    A manuscript evaluation is a bit like a mini developmental edit and looks at big-picture elements like author voice, clarity, pacing, tone, and style. Along with sidebar comments in your manuscript document, the primary deliverable for a manuscript evaluation is a brief evaluation letter that explores the strengths and weaknesses of your manuscript and presents you with suggestions for next steps.

    A beta read is the least in-depth of these options, but still provides you with sidebar comments containing my suggestions for how to take your manuscript to the next level!

    Kindly note that pricing transparency is an important value at Eloquent Inkblot LLC. While I may not be able to accommodate all author budgets, I encourage you to reach out. I do have occasional openings in my schedule where I am able to take on projects at a discounted rate, and am always happy to refer you to some of my incredible editing colleagues. Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions, and be sure to keep up with my social media accounts (@eloquentinkblot) for news about occasional promotions.

Line Editing

  • After the content of your manuscript has been solidified and you’re confident there will be no major changes, a line edit is the first stage of editing that looks at your prose. Through a line edit, we will polish the sentence-level elements of your craft, including clarity, style, and flow.

    My goal will be to bring out your unique voice, ensure readers understand your message, and spruce up any confusing, choppy, or disjoined areas.

  • Deliverables for a line edit include Track Changes and sidebar comments on your manuscript. If applicable, I may also send a brief editorial letter expounding upon my suggestions and providing additional resources to help you make your manuscript shine.

    Once you’ve had the opportunity to digest your edit, your package also includes a 1-hour phone or Zoom debrief where we can answer questions, brainstorm revisions, and solidify a plan for your next steps!

  • My rate for line editing is $0.023/word. A 30% down payment is due before work can begin. The remaining fees are due after receipt of the edited manuscript.

    Kindly note that pricing transparency is an important value at Eloquent Inkblot LLC. While I may not be able to accommodate all author budgets, I encourage you to reach out. I do have occasional openings in my schedule where I am able to take on projects at a discounted rate, and am always happy to refer you to some of my incredible editing colleagues. Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions, and be sure to keep up with my social media accounts (@eloquentinkblot) for news about occasional promotions.

Copyediting

  • During a copyedit, I will look at things like grammar, punctuation, usage, syntax, and continuity. This stage of the editing process is designed to verify your text is as correct as possible, and to catch continuity errors in fiction works (such as a shirt changing color from one scene to the next, or a disappearing coffee cup.)

    I highly recommend a copyedit for all authors, whether they plan to query or publish independently.

  • Deliverables for your copyedit include Track Changes and sidebar comments in your manuscript itself, as well as an accompanying style sheet, which will serve as a valuable resource on grammar, usage, punctuation, formatting, and continuity. Your style sheet will help you and future editors (including proofreaders) maintain consistency and ensure your manuscript is as polished as possible.

    Once you’ve had the opportunity to digest your edit, your package also includes a 1-hour phone or Zoom debrief where we can answer questions, brainstorm revisions, and solidify a plan for your next steps!

  • My rate for copyediting is $0.02/word. A 30% down payment is due before work can begin. The remaining fees are due after receipt of the edited manuscript.

    Kindly note that pricing transparency is an important value at Eloquent Inkblot LLC. While I may not be able to accommodate all author budgets, I encourage you to reach out. I do have occasional openings in my schedule where I am able to take on projects at a discounted rate, and am always happy to refer you to some of my incredible editing colleagues. Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions, and be sure to keep up with my social media accounts (@eloquentinkblot) for news about occasional promotions.

Proofreading

  • Proofreading is your last line of defense against typos, grammatical errors, formatting inconsistencies, and other glaring errors or omissions before your book goes to print!

  • Your deliverable for your proofread will take the form of comments—typically on a fully designed PDF document—with any final suggestions or corrections before your book goes to print!

    Once you’ve had the opportunity to digest your edit, your package also includes a 1-hour phone or Zoom debrief to answer any last-minute questions.

  • My rate for proofreading is $0.012/word. A 30% down payment is due before work can begin. The remaining fees are due after receipt of the edited manuscript.

    Kindly note that pricing transparency is an important value at Eloquent Inkblot LLC. While I may not be able to accommodate all author budgets, I encourage you to reach out. I do have occasional openings in my schedule where I am able to take on projects at a discounted rate, and am always happy to refer you to some of my incredible editing colleagues. Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions, and be sure to keep up with my social media accounts (@eloquentinkblot) for news about occasional promotions.

Combo Edits

  • Booking a combo edit allows you to achieve multiple types of editing for a more budget-friendly price! Typically, this takes the form of a combo developmental edit and copyedit.

    Please note that I do not offer copyediting-proofreading combo edits. This is because I always recommend a fresh set of eyes during a proofread, which isn’t possible if I’ve already copyedited your manuscript.

    That being said, I am always happy to refer you to other amazing copyeditors or proofreaders to make sure your manuscript is the best it can be!

  • The deliverables for your combo edit will depend on the types of editing you’re interested in, but will almost always include Track Changes and sidebar comments in your manuscript document, as well as some form of style sheet or editorial letter. See my other services for more information on these deliverables.

    Once you’ve had the opportunity to digest your edit, your package also includes a 1-hour phone or Zoom debrief where we can answer questions, brainstorm revisions, and solidify a plan for your next steps!

  • My rate for combo edits is $0.033/word. A 30% down payment is due before work can begin. The remaining fees are due after receipt of the edited manuscript.

    Kindly note that pricing transparency is an important value at Eloquent Inkblot LLC. While I may not be able to accommodate all author budgets, I encourage you to reach out. I do have occasional openings in my schedule where I am able to take on projects at a discounted rate, and am always happy to refer you to some of my incredible editing colleagues. Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions, and be sure to keep up with my social media accounts (@eloquentinkblot) for news about occasional promotions.

Writing Coaching

  • Writing coaching is additional writing support provided to you outside of an edit on a finished manuscript. This support is typically held via phone call or Zoom and can take a variety of forms, including brainstorming, outlining, troubleshooting difficult plot points, pep talks, and much more.

    Think of a writing coaching session as a casual conversation between professionals, during which we focus on whatever you need to take the next step forward.

  • Writing coaching sessions are booked in 1-hour intervals and typically take place via phone call or Zoom.

  • My rate for writing coaching is $60/hour, billed monthly on the last day of the month.

    Regular writing coaching clients receive 15% off all editing services on finished manuscripts.

    Kindly note that pricing transparency is an important value at Eloquent Inkblot LLC. While I may not be able to accommodate all author budgets, I encourage you to reach out. I do have occasional openings in my schedule where I am able to take on projects at a discounted rate, and am always happy to refer you to some of my incredible editing colleagues. Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions, and be sure to keep up with my social media accounts (@eloquentinkblot) for news about occasional promotions.

Ready to get started?

I’d love to schedule a free 30-minute discovery call and sample edit to see if working together might be a good fit! This obligation-free call is a time for us to get to know one another, and for me to learn more about your project!

Let's do it!