Fiction Editing

Fiction Editing Services

Helping Over 50,000 Writers Become Authors Since 1994!

Make your story shine! Whether you’ve just completed your next bestseller or your first rough-draft, get professional book editing help you can trust!

Our Certified Story Editors transform YOUR words into a literary masterpiece! You can then submit to an agent or self-publish with confidence.

YOU write it, and WE’LL perfect it!

See how our CERTIFIED StoryCoach book editors can ‘correct and perfect’ your story!

Get a Free Sample Edit

Discover the secret to successfully publishing your book

Are you 100% ready to share your fiction novel with the world? Really? Are you sending your manuscript to publishers or agents who respond with a rejection letter?

See how our professional editors have helped over 50,000 authors like YOU.

You’re too close to your work to know what it needs to take your fiction book from good to excellent. After all, you’ve been living the plot alongside your characters and scenes. You need a fresh point of view – professional!

That’s where Certified Story Editors come in! It’s our job to strengthen your story arc and overall presentation while cleaning up the writing and critiquing your plot. Not only do we improve your manuscript, but we also help you avoid future storytelling snags. Become a strong storyteller with structural story editing from a Certified StoryCoach.

Certified Story Coaches to structurally edit your fiction book

Our team of Certified Structural Story Editors has a solid history of successfully published novels and manuscripts. These vetted and trained professional book editors have advanced degrees and extensive experience in book writing, proofreading, and novel editing.

We are confident in their work and offer a free editing sample, critique, and price quote. Simply email us a portion of your manuscript to get started.

Get a Professional Critique & Recommendation

Our Certified Story Editors are professionals with advanced degrees and ten years of experience

Our fiction editors have industry-proven experience in providing substantial edits in a variety of genres, including literary fiction, creative nonfiction, Christian novels, poetry, romance, westerns, sci-fi, self-help, children, and young adult – the list goes on!

With over ten years of experience in writing and editing, including a history of successfully published books and articles, we are confident enough to promise guaranteed satisfaction to all of our clients.

Professional editors for ALL types of fiction writing:

  • Fiction Books
  • Novels
  • Poetry
  • Children’s Books
  • Science Fiction
  • Romance
  • Black Genre / Urban Literature
  • Short Stories
  • Query Letters
  • Chapter Synopsis
  • Book Jacket Cover
  • Press Release
  • Author’s Bio
  • And more…

Four levels of Fiction Editing Services

Structural Editing is the best service for fiction writers. We evaluate the foundation of your novel to ensure it is strong. We evaluate every scene using a checklist for the 38 Story Elements.

Furthermore, we use a professionally licensed editing software to outline and assess every aspect of your story arc, characters, plot, and scenes.

You receive an in-depth assessment which will show you exactly where and how to fix the structural elements of your story. Story Editing focuses on the larger, overall developmental elements of your manuscript, such as

  • Story Arc
  • Key Scene Placement
  • Plot Structure
  • Story Strength
  • Scene Point of View
  • Character Development
  • Tone, Voice, and Dialogue
  • Pace
  • Setting
  • Readability
  • Organization & Development
Basic

Copy Editing

Order a Copy Edit LAST before formatting and publishing.

Recommended ONLY for confident fiction writers who have completed multiple revisions and are prepared to begin formatting

Necessary as your FINAL Story Edit after all Line Edit revisions are complete

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Standard

Line Editing

Order a Line Edit as your final REVISION before sharing publicly or distributing your book.

Recommended BEFORE sharing, distribution, review or publication

Necessary MINIMUM Story Edit revision before submitting to literary agents or beta readers

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Developmental

StoryCoach Editing

Order a StoryCoach Edit to achieve confidence that your story is strong. Get the most COMPREHENSIVE EDIT available. Extensive feedback!

Recommended for Coaching & FEEDBACK. Get an in-depth Development Edit to better structure and develop your story.

Necessary for REVISING, organizing and presenting your narrative. Get assistance with content editing and an extensive assessment of your plot.

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Basic Copy Editing

Basic Copy Editing includes checking your grammar, spelling, and punctuation for accuracy; ensuring consistency in your writing’s word choices, style, and compositional spacing; and eliminating jargon and repetitious words.

Copy Editing is your FINAL edit after multiple revisions with no planned changes before formatting, proofreading, and then publishing.

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Standard Line Editing

INDUSTRY STANDARD REVISIONS

Line Editing is your ideal choice when seeking professional editing services for ongoing revisions. Your Line Editor addresses your writing style, creative content, and use of language at the sentence and paragraph level.

Line Editing focuses on how you communicate with your reader. It corrects your sentence and paragraph structure, checks for subject-verb agreement, and inserts transitional phrasing as appropriate. Standard Line Editing includes our Basic Copy Editing services (correcting spelling, grammar, punctuation, word usage; eliminating jargon and repetition; ensuring style consistency; and adjusting compositional spacing). Line Editing is a more technical editing style which adheres to your chosen style guide.

Your professional Line Editor improves the continuity and flow of your writing and support statements. You also receive in-line editorial remarks, suggestions, and feedback throughout your manuscript.

Line Editing is the writing industry standard. Publishing agents and university professors recommend this as the minimum level of professional editing prior to submitting for review and consideration.

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Advanced Content Editing

STRUCTURAL REVIEW 

Content Editing is your ideal choice for completing your manuscript’s first draft when you desire honest feedback and thorough professional guidance on your overall presentation. Choose content editing for your first round of editing and always prior to peer review or public distribution as it is comprehensive.

Content Editing critiques your written presentation, flow/continuity, and consistency of thoughts. It ensures support of all statements, and it provides formatting according to industry style guides, such as APA, MLA, Chicago, etc. Your content’s structural edit includes basic copy and standard line editing which corrects spelling, grammar, and punctuation; reviews your word choice; eliminates jargon and repetition; guarantees writing consistency; revises inappropriate verb tenses; and inserts transitional phrasing.

Your content editor provides professional, structural assessments and feedback on your manuscript throughout your document’s comments section.

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Developmental StoryCoach Editing

SUBSTANTIVE EDIT, CRITIQUE & INSTRUCTIONS

Developmental Editing from a Certified Story Coach helps you craft strong stories and gain editing insight at the highest level. Strengthen your story arc, character development, and plot. We use a checklist of 38 elements for every scene for an objective edit.

Our Certified Story Coaches organize and critique your writing while making high-level corrections and critiques. Overcome rejection from foundational weaknesses with help from an experienced professional.

Get a developmental edit. This includes an outline of your story arc with instructions for improvement. Plus, we confirm your 5 key scenes and show you how to create the ideal story form. You also receive an evaluation of the word counts per scene and characters with adjustments for your genre’s pacing to ensure theme and balance. All of this is outlined in a professional summary letter referencing your edits, what you do well, where to solve issues, and explanations of why we recommend revising. This includes in-line changes, syntax rules, and feedback.

Developmental editing focuses on content development, such as the plot, scene point of view, characters, tone, voice, dialogue, pace, setting, readability, organization, and more. It is the most in-depth editing service available for storytellers.

Use your Story Coach’s unique publishing experience to assess your writing. They analyze your novel and show you HOW to make your story shine.

Delivery time is approximately 5-7 weeks.

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We have helped writers from all over the world

We believe in personalized communication and customized consultation and support. These aspects are often mentioned in the reviews we get. Our director of customer service, Kathy, usually gets very positive feedback from our clients for her quick and professional responses and customer dialogues. Unlike other companies, we would like to talk to you!

Our latest reviews

“I loved the quality of work and the honest feedback. I would prefer direct communication with the editor, rather than through a third party.”
Robert Orlando, USA
“I liked that the sample edit and the hiring process takes around 24 to 48 hours. I also love that you were able to start working on my manuscript in such a short notice. I didn't have to book an edit months in advance, which was also great. The phone ...”
Valeriya Pleven, Bulgaria
“The free sample really helped me understand what level of editing my project needed and assured me that the editor I was assigned would be a good fit for my work.”
Anna Beacon, USA
“very quick, professional and accurate”
fred CULVER CITY, USA
More Fiction Editing Reviews

Meet your book publisher’s deadline

When what you are writing carries ANY level of importance, you just can’t afford NOT to have each sentence written as perfectly as possible. Make sure you meet that next deadline by enlisting professional book editors who achieve extraordinary results according to your schedule.

Professional fiction editors at your service!

Professional fiction editors read and examine every single word while considering each sentence, paragraph, character, plot point, and argument as they stand individually and within the entire manuscript.

Your writing is professionally polished while remaining true to your voice and intentions as an author. Even a near-perfect piece of work can benefit from a keen editorial eye that provides basic corrections while weeding out illogical statements and inconsistencies.

You’ve done all the hard work of getting the writing down on the page. Now is the time to put your feet up and let our editors correct any oversights.

Get Started Today With a Free Sample
No Greater Pain
Ronald
Ronald
Experience Rating:
★★★★★

The customer support was excellent and the turnaround time was fast. Dr. Vonda completed the editing to my satisfaction. Cost was reasonable compared to other editing services. Dr. Vonda provided many consoling comments.

Read more about this author

12-24-36
Mike
Mike
Experience Rating:
★★★★★

For any author trying to launch a book, controlling cost is high in the ranking of importance. I examined a number of editing services and found First Editing to be affordable. As of today, I've used their services 3 times. I enjoy their prompt attention to my work and will use them again in the future. They correct my silly mistakes. no matter how many times I review my work, there are dozens of errors that they fix!

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Morning Zen: Empower Your Life by Transforming Your Mornings
Adrian
Adrian
Experience Rating:
★★★★★

I enjoy and admire how Jefferson understood my needs, elevated the quality of my work and got the patience to put his magic into my manuscript. Without Jefferson, my book wouldn't be signed with a publisher. Always thankful to him and this company for making this dream come true.

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Theory of Freedom Edition 2
Daniel
Daniel
Experience Rating:
★★★★★

Hello Max: Thank you for doing great and wonderful editing. I am well pleased with your generosity and kindness in seeing that my book meets all the required standards and the needed comprehension.

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The Third Order
Wendy
Wendy
Experience Rating:
★★★★★

I was extremely impressed with the promptness and responsiveness of FirstEditing. The firm met its deadline handily and I believe the quality of the work was first rate. I especially liked the explanatory notes made by my editor, the estimable Jefferson, to both educate me on suggestions made and to simply make comments on the work. I actually am looking forward to using this service again.

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Secrets of Windwood
Jack
Jack
Experience Rating:
★★★★★

I loved the price compared to other services. This was less expensive and you got more bang for your buck. The deadlines given were followed and my editor, Dr. Vonda, was very helpful. She talked to me in layman's terms and was a pleasure to work with.

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Ulysses Dream
Tim
Tim
Experience Rating:
★★★★★

My editor, Nick, did a fine job in a timely manner. I also loved the fact that I could chat with someone from the company almost any time.

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SKARA
Andrew
Andrew
Experience Rating:
★★★★

I appreciated the clarity of editing and corrections. Understanding of the story line and characters' personalities. I got help where I had made a technical/historical/geographical error. Also, the editor really helped in maintaining the continuity through three volumes in the series so far. FirstEditing offers a very polite and understanding service. It is highly recommended!

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The Swindler Diaries
Robert
Robert
Experience Rating:
★★★★★

When I was looking for professional editing services to help with my first book, I mainly considered affordability and professionalism. I found several big editors. But with First Editing, I found what I was looking for. The personal communication and the detailed overview of my work really helped after submitting my first sample. So I didn't consider any other option.

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Circumvolution of Qi
John
John
Experience Rating:
★★★★

Since this was my first attempt at authoring a Science Fiction novel, it was a real education. I found the services very helpful, the instructions very adequate, and my editor/proofreader feedback very relevant and helpful.

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Sexy Back by Dr. Michel Rice
Michel
Michel
Experience Rating:
★★★★★

Appreciated the quality of the work

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DEFENDING GINA
Experience Rating:
★★★★★

I appreciated the free sample because I wanted the editor to keep my voice throughout the manuscript. The editor was terrific and I appreciated all of her corrections. She provided consistency and clarity to my manuscript. I look forward to having Dr. Vonda edit my second book.

Read more about this author

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Client Reviews
“The customer support was excellent and the turnaround time was fast. Dr. Vonda completed the editing to my satisfaction. Cost was reasonable compared to other editing services. Dr. Vonda provided many consoling comments.”
Ronald Walkersville, USA
“I appreciated the professional editing, good value for money and free sample.”
Reino Luneburg, Germany
“I loved the quality of work and the honest feedback. I would prefer direct communication with the editor, rather than through a third party.”
Robert Orlando, USA
“The professionalism and the guarantees of work done was great. I like that I got my manuscript edited fast - editing and comments of improvements. Most importantly, I like how my manuscript is being treated with respect, as I have put in a lot of time and effort. ”
Maurice Norwood, Australia
“I liked that the sample edit and the hiring process takes around 24 to 48 hours. I also love that you were able to start working on my manuscript in such a short notice. I didn't have to book an edit months in advance, which was also great. The phone ...”
Valeriya Pleven, Bulgaria
Read all reviews
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Writing, editing, and publishing go hand in hand

You’ve put your heart and soul (not to mention time, stress, and money) into birthing your new literary creation. Now it is time to review each word gently and ensure that it sings on your behalf.

Don’t let your book be overlooked or dismissed because of grammar, punctuation or other presentation errors which can be quickly and easily corrected by your book editor.

Want to see how this works? Get a free editing sample of your writing.

Get a Free Critique Today!