Freelance fiction editor and published fantasy author with 10+ years’ editing experience and publishing industry expertise
my editing background
In addition to my writing, I work as a freelance editor and partner with new writers every month. As a former “Big Five” editor and a published author whose writing is represented by CAA, I have always been passionate about the written word. Few things feed my soul as much as diving into a manuscript and working with writers to hone and strengthen their craft, so that the final product on the page reflects the vision in their heads. After working for several years as an Associate Editor at Tor Books and a Publishing Manager at an indie press, I have garnered extensive industry knowledge and editorial expertise that enables me to offer a variety of services for the manuscript revision and submission preparation stages.
What sets me apart from other editors?
Most freelance editors are only familiar with the editing side of this business. As a published author myself, I have experienced the publishing process from both sides of the desk. I know how important the connection with one's editor is and always strive to create positive working relationships founded on trust and respect.
Services offered
FOR WRITERS SEEKING TO STRENGTHEN THEIR MANUSCRIPTS
While I specialize in fantasy, science fiction, speculative fiction, historical fiction, and romance at the Adult and YA levels, I will take on projects outside of these genres on a case-by-case basis.
Developmental edit: I provide an editorial letter, on average 6-10 pages in length, with feedback to help strengthen your manuscript as a whole. Categories I examine commonly include plot, pacing, characterization, worldbuilding, romance, and magic systems when applicable.
Developmental edit + 1:1 call: I provide an editorial letter to help strengthen your novel (as described above). Once you have a chance to digest my notes, you and I have a one-hour call in which we discuss potential revision strategies and any questions you may have regarding my feedback.
Line edit: I provide line-level feedback on your manuscript designed to: point out and clear up any points of confusion or inconsistency; strengthen dialogue; tighten up any sections that lack sufficient tension; deepen characterizations; and improve grammar, rhythm, and flow. (Note: I only offer this service to clients who first do a development edit, as manuscripts are never ready for a line edit prior to at least one dev edit.)
FOR WRITERS PREPARING TO QUERY AGENTS
Query letter review: I provide feedback on the conceptual and in-line levels to help you perfect your query letter. This service includes two rounds of feedback. In the first, I typically focus on conceptual edits, so we can get the big pieces locked into place. In the second, I go in via Track Changes and perform a thorough line edit to clean up any grammatical errors or typos, smooth any points of confusion, and maximize the overall coherence and flow.
Synopsis review: I provide feedback on the conceptual and in-line levels to help you hone your synopsis, as described in the “query” section above.
Complete submission package review: In addition to editing your query letter and synopsis as described above, I review the first three chapters of your manuscript. (A book's opening is pivotal, as agents typically decide whether to keep reading or reject within three chapters or less.) Note that this service includes two rounds of feedback on the query and synopsis and one round of feedback on the chapters. My manuscript feedback will combine line edits with developmental notes as needed.
Testimonials
“Elayne is an editing whiz at every level and super knowledgeable about the publishing industry, which was truly evident from her astute and pointed feedback. Her guidance not only set me on a path to write a much stronger manuscript, but also made me aware of my overall blindspots and helped me grow as a writer. She's so talented you'd likely forgive her if she wasn't a kind person, but as a bonus she's genuinely warm, caring, and supportive, too! 12/10 highly recommended!"
—Carli J. Corson, author of It’s a Love/Skate Relationship
“Elayne’s ability to crawl inside a story and pull all the threads together is astounding. Her skill, her instinct, and her innate talent are obvious. I couldn’t have asked for a better editor.”
—Jillian Boehme, author of Stormrise
“Elayne has been my editor for the past three years, through two Macmillan/Tor books, and I can’t recommend her enough! Her creative eye is unmatched, her notes always thought-provoking and transformative. She’s one of the best I’ve ever worked with!!”
—Erika Lewis, author of Kelcie Murphy & The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts
“I am extraordinarily grateful for Elayne’s guidance on my manuscripts. She caught sight of my vision, the heart behind the words, and worked with me to refine, sharpen, and distill each element so that I might best tell the story I longed to tell. Her insight is precise and keenly perceptive. I cannot recommend her enough!”
—Joanna Hathaway, author of Dark of the West