Editorial Services

As a stubborn writer and an avid reader (and all-around hopeless nerd), my passion for storytelling knows no bounds. So, it’s no surprise that I looked into offering editorial services. And an even less of a surprise with how much I truly love it!

It’s a dream to help others shape their stories so their own dreams can be achieved. My methodology includes using my previous editorial experience, writing background and passion for writing to help level up stories. Yet, forging connections and a support system for writers, no matter where you are in your authorial journey, is also paramount to me. Together, these form the foundations of my editorial services.

Welcome to editing with Thoughts Stained With Ink.

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Who Am I?

I’m a SFF writer who has been writing both novel-length and short story works since I was in grade school. With over half a dozen novels under my belt, dozens of short stories written, and an undergraduate degree in English (with a Master’s in Creative Writing currently in pursuit); well, I’ve learned a lot about what does and doesn’t work when it comes to writing stories in many forms.

In addition, I’ve interned for two different literary agents, including the incredible Naomi Davis. I’m very familiar with traditional publishing and how to determine what is working and where you can improve within your manuscript. I can also help with the querying process and how to write a query letter that gets noticed within the slush pile.

Self-publishing is no strange realm, either! Not only do I read current self-pubbed books often, but I’ve also worked with previous freelance editor Sione Aeschliman, was a judge twice over for SPFBO and assisted in ShoreIndie. I’ve also been a dedicated beta reader of up and coming novelists for over a decade.

With a plethora of writing and editorial experience, my roots are dug deep within the writing community. I don’t intend to just level up your story, but to become a champion, support system and hopefully a friend in the process.

What I Work On

I specialize in full manuscript novel editing, particularly with developmental editing. However, I also can work on short stories, querying materials and project outlining.

I specialize in the following genres in the adult age range:

Fantasy
- All subgenres
Science Fiction
- Light or low
Romance
- Regency
- Steampunk
- Fantasy

If any of that sounds like your work, I’d love to learn more about it! If not, I’m happy to recommend another amazing editor to help you on your writing journey.

Services and Rates

Proofreading

This is a basic, single read edit, where I’ll go line-by-line and search for any sneaky, lingering mistakes that might remain. This includes:

Typos
Grammar
Punctuation
Missing Words
Minor formatting issues

This is meant at a last line of defense, as you’ve already done the work to make your manuscript strong. Or, consider it a final pass before entering the trenches or self-publishing.

Rate: $0.006 per word

Copy/Line Edits

This is a single read edit. Here, I focus on the way the story is told, so readers don’t get caught up in stylistic errors. This includes:

Repetition (info and word choice)
Consistency checks
Narrative tightening
Dialogue
Word choice

This is for writers who have done a few rounds of revision, yet feel they need a deeper focus than what is offered at the proofreading level, yet not a full developmental dive.

Rate: $0.012 per word

Developmental

This is an in-depth critique. It is a single read edit, focusing on the overarching story and goals. This includes:

Stakes
Character motivation
Pacing
Plot
Dialogue
POV
Tense checks

This is for writers who have self-edited and perhaps completed a done of beta reading, but want more in-depth feedback. This includes an edit letter and style guide.

Rate: $0.016 per word

Query Letter

This is a mark up of your query letter after a single read, where I’ll help you write a concise letter that includes:

Stakes
Main character motivation and conflicts
Double checking you’ve included genre, target audience, word count and COMPS (if applicable)

Flat rate of $25.00

Synopsis

This is a single read mark up of your synopsis, where we’ll go over the common synopsis requirements, like:

Proper industry formatting
Clear story and character arcs
Evaluate inconsistencies
Tighten summation
Clear plot direction and conclusion

Flat rate of $30.00

Reread

This is a single read of a manuscript I’ve already read, after you’ve gone through edits. It includes:

Checking for any specifically outlined concerns
Checking implementation of suggested edits
Marked up manuscript + email summary of remaining edits.

Rate: $0.008 per word

1st Impressions Package

This is for if you want to to focus on the traditional needs of querying, but don’t want to do a full manuscript edit. It includes:

Mark up of 1st 50 pages
Query letter edit
Synopsis edit

Flat rate of $200.00

Short Story Package

Have a short story you want eyes on before sharing? This is a single read through with optional reread that includes:

Mark up of both overarching narrative and style
Email summary

Rate: $0.010 per word

Personalized Package

Looked through everything and haven’t found something that meets your needs?

No problem! Contact me with what you’re looking for and we can come up with a custom plan that fits your needs!

Rate: Determined at booking

Logistics

So, what are some nitty-gritty details that you can expect? Well:

Documentation

Edits: I use Google Docs, making in-manuscript edits using the “suggesting” feature. All changes, edits and comments appear in green. I can use Word, if requested. I will download edit letters and style guides as PDFs, emailed as attachments.

Contracts: Contracts are required for any services booked under the “Full Manuscript Edits” above. Your contract will include editing agreement, total amount due and completion timeline.

Invoices: For those with contracts, payments plans or by request, I will also provide an invoice after payments are received.

Payment

Total Due: You will always know this total up front and ahead of time!

Full Manuscripts: For full manuscripts, a contract is required (see above). A 20% down payment is required at the time of signing, via PayPal. The rest of the total amount will be due upon completion of the edits. Upon payment, the edits will be delivered.

All Other Packages: For publishing prep and packages, no contract or deposit is required. Full payment will be due upon completion.

Payment Plans: I offer 3, 6, 9 and 12-month payment plans, if desired (0% interest). If your payment is made late (either from a payment plan or a full, one-time payment) and NOT communicated ahead of time (at least a week in advanced): a late fee of 5% of the total amount will accrue for every month late.

Payment Methods: I accept payments via PayPal.

Sample Edits: I offer sample edits for a flat rate of $20 for 5-10 pages of material (~5,000 words) for manuscripts. Or, $10 for 1-3 pages for a short story.

Communication

Time frames: I complete freelance work during the week, M-F. Though we’ll have a turnaround time for completed work sorted at time of booking, here’s a rough estimate:

Query Letter: 1-3 days
Synopsis: 1-5 days
Short Story: 2-6 days
Manuscripts
- Less than 50,000 words: 2 – 4 weeks
- 50,000 – 100,000 words: 4 – 6 weeks
- 100,000+ words: 6 – 8 weeks

Weekends: Saturdays and Sundays, I take off, including from responding to emails. I strive to respond to email queries within a week of receiving them (but usually have a 48 hour email response rate).

Stay in Touch: You can reach out via my contact form below to get started! Or, sign up for my newsletter to learn about discounts or seasonal deals.

Testimonials

An incredible eye for editing

Nicole has an incredible eye for editing. I worked with her on a short story I wrote, and she immediately broke the story down in a way that allowed me to identify the developmental issues present. Her notes were detailed and thorough, and her rates are very fair. As someone who has worked with many professional editors in the past, I found her level of detail to be unsurpassed in comparison. If you are looking for someone to assist you in improving your stories, she is the person to reach out to. I’m so eager to keep working with her and see how she can continue to assist me in improving my writing in the future. She would be an asset to any writer trying to make their way in the publishing world!

Nicole Fuschetti

Feedback with Warmth and Precision

Nicole chooses her feedback with warmth and precision. She gives plenty of encouragement, while staying true to her aim of strengthening the writing. Her notes on my manuscript showed me what worked, and opened my eyes to flaws I never would have seen otherwise. My writing skills improved thanks to her, and I highly recommend her services!

Philip Ridgers

Writer, Accompanist and Freelance Editor

Honest Feedback

Honesty is the first and most important trait I want in a editor. Nicole pulled my manuscript apart, giving me honest feedback and laying out problems I could not see before–both with line comments and an organized edit letter. She was both professional and kind, and even though there was a lot of critique, I didn’t feel like a crappy writer afterward. She pushed me to take my story to the next level and it’s better than ever thanks to her.

Soraya Corcoran

Writer and Cartographer

Made Me a Better Writer

If you are reading this, you should hire Nicole NOW. She read my novel twice and her comments were so insightful they not only made my manuscript better, they made me a better writer. She offered constructive criticism and enthusiastic encouragement in equal measure, and she really cared about the story and my characters. She’s professional, fast, funny, SO smart, and one of the most well-read people I’ve ever known. I feel privileged that she read my work, and that I get to call her my friend. Trust Nicole with your work, you won’t regret it.

Meredith Crosbie

Writer, Historian and Freelance Editor

Keen Eye for Detail

Nicole gave me great feedback on my first two published books! Her keen eye caught details I’d missed, and she suggested a new scene that wound up being a crucial character moment for the book’s most important relationship. She’s supportive and positive without letting you off the hook.

Melissa Caruso

Author

Knack For Finding Weak Spots

Nicole Evans has a sharp eye for developmental issues in manuscripts that are hard for the author – who is so close to the text – to identify. With a knack for finding weak spots in pacing and under-developed or inconsistent character traits, Nicole’s feedback always helped me provide strong editorial guidance to my clients. During her time as an intern with me, I relied on her expertise in her favorite genres to show me ways a book could be just a little bit stronger, giving a story that extra edge needed in a very competitive market. Nicole also learned at a rapid pace throughout her internship with me, integrating many of my own editorial strategies into her own arsenal of critical skills, such as gauging whether the book opens in exactly the right place, or whether the climaxes need a little something extra, and identifying repetitive writing habits that disrupt a reader’s seamless experience. I highly recommend her developmental services for writers preparing to query agents, submit directly to presses, or self-publish their books.

Naomi Davis

Literary Agent / Bookends Literary Agency

Contact Me

Want to work with me? Fill out the form below and let’s start chatting!

In your email, please introduce yourself and tell me about your project and your vision for it. What goals do you have for this project? What’s your path to publication? What work have you done? What services interest you? The more details I know, the better I can help!

Thank you so much for considering me as your editor! I’m excited to fall in love with your story and work with you! 🖤

A custom artowrk signature that reads, "Onward to Adventure, Nicole" with a feathered quill and inkpot bordering it.

Editorial Services

Who Am I?

What I Work On