My goal as an editor is to help bring forth the best version of your book, not to impose my own ideas or preferences on your story.
I edit nearly every speculative fiction genre and am intimately familiar with middle grade, young adult, and adult fiction in all lengths, including novels, novellas, novelettes, and short stories from authors at all points in their career. I also have experience with memoirs and other nonfiction books. However, I am not a good fit for picture books and young children’s books.
All prices are listed in USD and are subject to length, timing, and complexity. For manuscripts with fewer than 50k words or more than 150k words, please use the contact me page to request a modified quote.
I do provide editing samples upon request: the first five pages for manuscripts more than 10k words, and the first page for manuscripts under 10k words. Note that the edits will not be expansive given the length of the samples.
Please also contact me if you have any questions or would like clarification regarding the editing services. However, please note that while I will help you strengthen and polish your manuscript, but unfortunately there are no guarantees in publishing. That’s true no matter how many editors you do (or don’t) contract with.
I offer two kinds of editing services:
Developmental edits include a detailed critique of your manuscript’s following parts: plot, emotional arcs, character arcs, subplots, pacing, point of view, dialogue, tension, descriptions and sensory details, and worldbuilding (including settings, magic systems, cultural touchstones, etc.), among others. If you have concerns you’d like to focus on, just let me know.
You will receive a detailed write up of your manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses, and I will offer examples and possible solutions where appropriate. Additionally, upon delivery we can schedule a 30- to 60-minute phone or video call to go over your critique. Note that developmental edits do not include line edits.
I will go line by line through your manuscript and identify the following issues: grammar, syntax, punctuation, noun/pronouns mismatches, awkward wording and overused words, awkward dialogue, action critique (movement of characters–have they accidentally sprouted an extra hand?), and typos, among others. I will include suggested solutions to these issues. Note that line edits do not include developmental edits.
Testimonials
One of the best things about having Sarah Mack edit my work is the clarity of her notes on what’s working in the text, and what needs a little more attention without taking away from the writer’s voice. She recently line edited a short story I later sold and I appreciated the questions she asked within my work that helped me to think a little deeper about what to revise. She gave me great suggestions (with examples so I wouldn’t be confused) that I incorporated into my draft which tightened the world I was building on the page. She’s meticulous and gave me a great turnaround so I could meet my deadline on time! I would recommend her services to anyone who values an editor who has a sharp eye, understands genre conventions, and will help elevate your fiction to the best that it can be.
— Lisa Bolekaja
From author Emily Bernhard:
Sarah Mack read through my 100,000 word historical novel manuscript deeply and with keen insight, bringing a level of attentiveness that made every note feel considered and intentional. Her editorial eye caught not just surface-level issues but the underlying structural and emotional dynamics of the story, and she offered expert ideas on how to improve in ways that felt true to the vision of the work rather than imposing her own. Working with her gave me real confidence that my work was in thoughtful, capable hands. I can’t recommend Sarah highly enough.
— Emily Bernhard
And when you’ve finished your story and are getting read to publish, I also offer three interior formatting packages:
WhatSmackSaid.com 