Trusted editing support that respects your unique voice
At Current Words, we provide professional editing services for authors who are serious about improving their work. Our editing services are collaborative, transparent, and grounded in respect for your voice, your goals, and the craft of writing.
As a small, independent team, Dianne and Dave bring more than 40 years of combined editing and publishing experience to every manuscript. We treat each project with the same care we’d give our own work, and all editing is done personally by us—never outsourced, never handed off.
Whether you’re preparing a manuscript for querying, revising a novel ahead of publication, or refining a finished draft, we focus on clarity, structure, and precision—without rewriting your work or imposing a house style.
Writers who benefit the most
We typically follow The Chicago Manual of Style, though we’re flexible depending on your requirements. Our editing services are designed for authors who:
- Have completed a full draft and are ready to revise
- Want thoughtful, line-by-line feedback—not automated edits
- Value clarity, craft, and reader experience
- Are open to learning through the editorial process
These services may not be the right fit if you’re looking for:
- Ghostwriting or rewriting
- Proofreading on an early draft
- Validation rather than revision
We believe editing works best when both author and editor share the same goal: making the manuscript stronger.
One manuscript, one fee
We provide a comprehensive edit that includes developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, and proofreading—at a single flat rate that is often less than what many editors charge for just one of these services. Rather than breaking your project into rigid tiers or charging separately for each pass, we take a holistic view of your manuscript and apply the level of editorial attention it genuinely needs to be strong from multiple perspectives including structure, language, clarity, and accuracy.
Manuscript editing categories explained
If you are unfamiliar with manuscript editing, below is a brief overview of the categories of manuscript editing:
Developmental Editing SERVICES
Developmental editing focuses on the big picture of your manuscript. This type of edit examines structure, pacing, character development, narrative logic, and thematic coherence.
Developmental editing typically includes:
- In-text comments and margin notes
- High-level guidance on plot, arc, or organization
- Suggestions for revision, not rewrites
Line Editing SERVICES
Line editing focuses on how the writing works at the sentence and paragraph level. This is where voice, rhythm, clarity, and flow are refined.
Line editing addresses:
- Awkward phrasing or repetition
- Clarity and transitions
- Tone consistency
- Overwriting or underwriting
Copyediting SERVICES
Copyediting addresses technical correctness and consistency. This is not stylistic editing, but it is essential for a professional manuscript.
Copyediting focuses on:
- Grammar, punctuation, and syntax
- Consistency in spelling, capitalization, and usage
- Internal consistency (names, timelines, formatting)
Proofreading SERVICES
Proofreading is the final quality check—performed after all major edits are complete.
Proofreading catches:
- Typos and small errors
- Missed punctuation issues
- Formatting inconsistencies (e.g., heading levels, line spacing)
Proofreading is not a substitute for editing and works best when the manuscript is otherwise finished.
This combined approach enables us to focus on strengthening the work itself rather than limiting feedback to an artificial category.
Editorial assessment: a low-commitment starting point
If you’re unsure what kind of editing services your manuscript needs, an editorial assessment can help. An assessment provides:
- A professional evaluation of strengths and weaknesses of the first 10K of words in your manuscript.
- Guidance on next steps.
- Honest feedback without line edits.
We’ll provide a custom document (typically 2-4 pages) with detailed, actionable, and objective feedback. This is often the best first step for authors who want clarity before committing to an edit.
Editorial process overview
- Initial conversation: We discuss your manuscript, goals, and timeline.
- Sample review (when appropriate): This helps ensure the project is a good fit.
- Editorial agreement: Clear scope, milestones, timeline, and expectations—no surprises.
- The edit: Delivered in manageable stages for longer manuscripts.
- Follow-up and guidance: We answer questions and help you understand the feedback.
We see editing as a dialogue, not a transaction. It’s a collaborative exchange where your voice leads and our guidance helps it speak more clearly.
Our approach to pricing
We believe authors deserve transparent, straightforward pricing. Editing is billed by the word and quoted on a project-by-project basis. We do not charge separate or cumulative fees for different types of editing; a single per-word rate applies even when a manuscript requires developmental, line, copyediting, and proofreading attention.
Quotes are tailored to the manuscript in front of us and reflect the total word count and scope of work. This approach ensures you receive the level of editorial attention your manuscript needs at one clear, upfront price—without add-on charges or hidden tiers. For manuscripts of >20,000 words, we’re happy to split the cost of our editing services across milestones. Payments typically align with the delivery of each batch, with the final balance due when the final edits are delivered.
Support beyond the edit
Unlike many editors, our support doesn’t end when the edit is completed.
Depending on your goals, we can:
- Discuss querying or submission readiness
- Recommend next steps toward publication
For authors moving toward publication, editing often becomes the first step in a longer partnership.
Editing as part of a larger path
Some authors partner with us solely for editing services. Others choose to continue working with us for assistance with agent query letters, cover design, self-publication guidance, or publication through Current Words (or one of our publishing imprints).
We’re happy to support your objectives—whatever path you choose.
Let’s begin
Ready to move forward with editing? Schedule a free Zoom consultation with Dianne to discuss your manuscript and next steps.