Fearless Fiction

Empathic Editing

So then, do you want to craft a Story?

You’ve written a story. Words are on the page. Characters have been born - they speak and think together and alone. Something 2D in your brain - a small spark of an idea - has become 3D.

Congratulations! You’ve done it!

But the work doesn’t end. It’s only the beginning.

Now it’s time to edit.

There are three main types of editing, and they are expected to be done in order. First a developmental edit, then a line/copy edit, then a proofread. Listed below are more details on each of these types of editing, though it is highly recommended that the same editor be used for the developmental edit and the line/copy edit, as editing can be fluid. While it is broken down into sections, there are times when the editing overlaps. So, having an editor you trust to analyze the characters’ motivations and the plot structure from start to end, from big picture to nitty-gritty grammar, can seem less stressful and benefit the story as the editor comes to know the tale in full. The conversation is open from day one. This is helpful to editors as well, as each type of edit is equally tricky. And they are equally needed to make a story the best it can be. Editing is a skill - a complex technique - that ALL STORIES NEED.

It doesn’t matter what format or genre the story is.

It doesn't matter if you have just finished writing your first story or your tenth.

Every piece of literature needs editing.

Here are a few reasons why -

  1. An outsider perspective is extremely beneficial. After writing a story, an author is too closely related to the piece of work. They have spent weeks, months, sometimes years, looking at these sets of words. They know the work from front to back. So having a fresh pair of eyes on the project allows for distance and new perspectives.

  2. Editors specialize in technique. For most authors, their first draft is the story in its basic form. They told themselves the story, making sure the plot and characters were on the page. More often than not, they weren’t thinking of specific techniques or unique syntax when writing. An editor, though, can see the threads - see the potential - and discuss ways that the story can be shaped moving forward for the author to make it the best story it can be. And if the author was thinking about technique? Even better, the conversation starts sooner. Because that’s what editing is all about.

  3. Editing is a conversation. An editor is not going to come in and change an author’s story. It’s their job to recognize the writing style of the author and help the author build it like clay into the shape they want. There are rules that need to be followed in the English language, grammar, and reading expectations built on word connotations. But just like society, expectations change. The meaning of words changes. Rules are broken. That’s what makes writing - and editing - so fun. It’s a form of art that is fluid and ever-changing and evolving. If anyone says different, then they aren’t a true author OR editor.

This might seem scary and overwhelming. But it’s not! Going through the editing process can be incredibly rewarding and fun. That’s also a part of an editor’s job - to make sure authors don’t hate writing afterwards. Editors are here to help. But please keep in mind that while editing is objective, it relies heavily on context. The type of editing being undertaken, the length of the story (number of words, number of pages), the genre of the story, the tropes used, and the author’s intention/message woven between the lines - all these factors determine how long the editing process takes. It is normal for this process to take a while, and for there to be many rounds of the same type of editing. Editing and the rewriting that follows by the author is a delicate thing that needs to be approached with care.

And Anisa loves every second of it. She treats editing with the respect and care it deserves. Her feedback is meticulous and thorough, with empathy and understanding in each letter.

After all - Editing is a discussion~

  • Developmental Edit

    $0.012 per word

    Rounds offered - Two

    A DEV edit looks at the “big picture” or “vibe” of the story.

    This is where an editor will stand back and look at the forest as a whole; they see how it looks in comparison to the area around it before looking at everything inside.

    P.S. - This is Anisa’s favourite type of editing to do.

    Completion Timeframe - One round of editing will take an average of one and a half weeks per round. If choosing the offered two rounds, the total completion time is three weeks.

    **Again, these times are subjective and heavily depend on the type of work being edited and Anisa’s schedule at the time of booking.

    After this edit, the manuscript can be sent off to Beta readers.

  • Line/Copy Edit

    $0.015 per word

    Rounds Offered - Two

    An LC edit looks at the “personal”, the techniques used within each line of the story.

    This is where an editor will look at the specific trees in the forest, at each branch, and how each tree benefits the one next to it, as well as looking at all the animals and roots too; they see how everything inside interacts based on the image they have of the forest as a whole.

    P.S. - This type of editing takes the longest

    Completion Timeframe - One round of editing will take an average of three weeks per round. If choosing the offered two rounds, the total completion time is six weeks.

    **Again, these times are subjective and heavily depend on the type of work being edited and Anisa’s schedule at the time of booking.

    After this edit, the manuscript can be sent off to Beta readers, if not done yet. Additionally, the manuscript can be sent off to formatting.

  • Proofread Edit

    $0.006 per word

    Rounds Offered - One

    A proofread is the final edit a manuscript needs before it can be sent through to formatting.

    This is where an editor will look at the forest, and the trees and branches, together, admiring it all. By this stage, the story should be completed and no new information added.

    P.S. - This service does not substitute a Line/Copy edit

    Completion Timeframe - One round of editing will take an average of one week per round.

    **Again, these times are subjective and heavily depend on the type of work being edited and Anisa’s schedule at the time of booking.

    After this edit, the manuscript can be sent off to formatting, if not done yet. Additionally, the manuscript can be sent to ARC readers.

  • Formatting

    $150 Flat Rate

    Rounds offered - Unlimited

    Formatting looks at the design of a story - quite literally.

    This is where an editor/designer will make the story visually appealing and readable. From font type and size to book size and chapter title designs, this service includes all those pesky interior thoughts that make your story go from a manuscript to a novel.

    This service is more inclusive than others Anisa provides, as the author’s opinion matters most here. Hence, communication is abundant.

    Within the bounds of the software available (Vellum), Anisa wishes to ensure that the novel looks just as the author had envisioned. However, Anisa does not design anything during this stage. All designs must be supplied. Any additional elements wished to be made will be done so via Canva, if it is within her capabilities, and may incur an extra cost depending on complexity.

    Completion Timeframe - One round of formatting will take an average of two weeks. With no limit on the number of rounds available in this service, as Anisa does not believe in delivering a product at this final stage until the author is satisfied, she bases the total completion time on the average number of rounds authors have taken. As such, if choosing two rounds, the total completion time is four weeks.

    **Again, these times are subjective and heavily depend on the type of work being edited and Anisa’s schedule at the time of booking.

    After this edit, the manuscript can be sent to ARC readers, if not already done so. Additionally, the story can be uploaded to any online platform and sent to printing!

  • Developmental & Line/Copy Edit Package

    $0.018 per word

    Rounds offered - Three

    A Developmental and Line/Copy Package Edit includes both services at a 30% discounted rate, as these two services often go hand in hand and can be completed simultaneously.

    Anisa highly recommends this editing service. It gives her the chance to connect with the author and the story, helping form and shine the manuscript from the very start. This lets her ensure that there are no pesky plot holes, grammar mistakes, or misinformation anywhere in the manuscript. It can also be a quicker service, as she is looking at everything all at once.

    Completion Timeframe - One round of editing will take an average of two and a half weeks. If choosing the offered three rounds, the total completion time is seven and a half weeks.

    **Please keep in mind that this two-in-one package must have more than one round of editing in order to complete the service fully.

    After this edit, the manuscript can be sent off to Beta readers, if not done yet.

  • Proofread & Formatting Package

    $0.0055 per word

    Rounds offered - Three

    A Proofread and Formatting Package includes both services at a 30% discounted rate, as these two services often go hand in hand and can be completed simultaneously.

    Anisa will provide a proofread edit of the manuscript as she formats the story, ensuring that at this final stage, the story not only reads as perfectly as possible, but also looks amazing too. This can also lead to quicker service, as she does the initial formatting/structure while proofreading.

    Completion Timeframe - One round of editing and formatting will take an average of two and a half weeks. With no limit on the number of rounds available in this service, as Anisa does not believe in delivering a formatted product at this final stage until the author is satisfied, she bases the total completion time on the average number of rounds authors have taken. As such, if choosing two rounds, the total completion time is five weeks.

    **Please keep in mind that this two-in-one package must have more than one round of editing in order to complete the service fully.

    After this edit, the manuscript can be sent to ARC readers, if not already done so. Additionally, the story can be uploaded to any online platform and sent to printing!

  • Full Edit Combined Package

    $0.023 per word

    Rounds Offered - Dev two, L/C two, Proof one

    A Combined Package Edit includes all three editing services, offered at a 30% discounted rate.

    Anisa highly recommends this editing service. It gives her the chance to connect with the author and the story, helping form and shine the manuscript every step of the way. It is ideal for both the editor and the author.

    Completion Timeframe - This service takes the same time to complete as each individual service. Therefore, one round will take five and a half weeks to complete. If choosing the offered two rounds, the total completion time is ten weeks.

    **Again, these times are subjective and heavily depend on the type of work being edited and Anisa’s schedule at the time of booking.

    After this edit, the manuscript can be sent off to formatting, if not done yet. Additionally, the manuscript can be sent to ARC readers.

  • All Service Combined Package

    $0.024 per word

    Rounds Offered - Dev two, L/C two, Proof one, Format unlimited

    An All Service Combined Package includes all three editing services and formatting offered at a 30% discounted rate.

    Anisa highly recommends this editing service for those authors looking for a “one-stop shop,” as it allows her the chance to connect with the author and the story from day one.

    With this service package, Anisa can help shape and refine the manuscript every step of the way, ensuring that the author’s vision is met from draft one to printed novel. It is ideal for any author, especially those new to the industry, who are looking for more guidance.

    Completion Timeframe - This service takes the same time to complete as each individual service. Therefore, one round will take an average of seven and a half weeks to complete. If choosing all the offered rounds, the total completion time is twelve weeks.

    **Again, these times are subjective and heavily depend on the type of work being edited and Anisa’s schedule at the time of booking.

    After this edit, the manuscript can be sent to ARC readers, if not already done so. Additionally, the story can be uploaded to any online platform and sent to printing!

  • Almost done with your manuscript?

    With the year almost over, Anisa has opened up her calendar for 2026!

    If you see the month you want to book a service in is full, or are unsure of what month you would need editing, please contact!

    Anisa has a waitlist, and a lot of times editing projects overlap. It all depends on the type of service booked and her schedule at the time of booking.

With many years of experience working as an editor for various online publishing companies, Anisa decided to make the switch to freelance editing. This has given her more freedom in choosing the type of story she takes on to edit.

Here are some of those stories.

"A Book is a Dream You Hold in Your Hand"

- Neil Gaiman