Stuck in editing limbo? You have polished every sentence, but something fundamental still is not connecting with readers.

Your beta readers say 'I liked it!'. Your critique partners parrot 'show, don't tell'. And your own instincts whisper that 'something's off…' but you cannot pinpoint what.

In reality, many manuscripts need more than a surface-level polish. They need a deeper, developmental diagnosis – perhaps the narrative guts are tangled, a character's heartbeat is faint, or a climax falls flat because vital setup was missing chapters ago. That dazzling story in your head? It is not quite reaching the page.

What many writers do not realise is that proofreading will not heal a story that is suffering from fatal internal bleeding. Readers want a story's vital organs to pulse with life. And that requires a developmental edit – story surgery for the soul of your book.

Is your novel actually ready? Or are you about to waste time and money on the wrong remedy?

I understand. You have poured your soul into this book, and a simple proofread feels like the final, easy step. But what if the book's biggest flaw is invisible to you?

Vanity presses will take your cash for a flimsy edit. Friends will offer kind, unhelpful praise. And AI cannot diagnose a limp plot, let alone understand the unique rhythm of your voice.

Your novel should be an exhilarating journey, not a meandering path into Doldrumsville.

If you find yourself constantly searching 'how to fix my novel', know this: generic advice will only take you so far. Your story, your voice, your viewpoint – they are unique. They deserve a bespoke solution. My developmental and line editing service provides the expert, attentive care your manuscript needs to not just live, but to thrive. Let us find the precise treatment, together.

This edit gives you:

🔎 Custom diagnostics – No boilerplate notes.

💡 Prioritised fixes – Learn what to tackle first.

📈 Better ROI – A strong foundation means cheaper copyedits later.

Resuscitation for Writers Who Want More Than Just a Red Pen

I don't want you to sell a kidney – or your story's – to get a decent edit. For €0.02/word, I’ll give your manuscript a no-BS assessment. Not with vague advice, but with:

✓ X-ray vision for your story’s weak spots.

✓ Battle-tested fixes – 10+ years of solving exactly these problems for small presses and indie authors.

What you can expect:

✓ Big-Picture Story Fixes

• Plot surgery for pacing & tension
• Character arc alignment
• World-building consistency
• Shaping

✓ Line Editing Included

• Voice refinement (no author intrusion or narrative whiplash)
• Emotional intensity tuning
• Clutter-cutting for sharper prose

✓ Publishing-Insider Notes

• Where agents/editors might flag issues
• Genre convention optimisation

You can keep your vitals, ensure your book breathes new life AND retain control of how it’s published. This isn’t handing your story over to a butcher. It’s story surgery – a care plan to transform last gasps into the glorious resurrected.

If you're going to do a job, might as well do it right.

Ideal for writers who:

• Intend to query, are still in revision stage, and want to avoid form rejections. (I can’t promise publishing success, but “there was a lot we liked. Unfortunately, this isn’t for us” is a much more promising zone to be than instant dismissal!)
• Plan to self-publish and hate the idea of bombing in the reviews section.
• Feel stuck after critique partner feedback, such as “It’s okay, but it’s not quite there yet. Don't give up! You’ll get there in the end! PS, I like the dog. Don't kill it.” (Nice sentiment, but doesn't direct you onto anywhere helpful.)
• Want to rescue a floundering draft before investing in copyediting.
• Want to Gut-check the story’s potential before querying.

Not for the faint-hearted. I’ll celebrate your vital signs and cut out the tumours killing your kudos.

PLUS: Grab my secret weapon – your choice of a free workbook when you purchase a novel manuscript assessment or developmental edit (delivered with your completed report). Choose from Plotting by Fear & Ambition, Dig Deep Character Profiles, Dig Deep World-Building Workbook, How to Write a (Rockin') Novel Synopsis, so you can apply these fixes and ace your next book. (Click on the photos below for product details.)

How It Works

1. Add this consultation product to your account (free; no commitment).
2. Tell me about your manuscript (word count, genre, struggles).
3. Get a custom quote.
4. Pay 50% deposit, 50% on completion. Updates throughout, so you’re never in the dark. (payment plans are also available – contact me to discuss).

The Fine(ish) Print

• Story editing only (I don’t proofread, but I’ll help you write better).
• Private Facebook + Reddit groups & Anvil & Ink on Substack for ongoing contact — support, not spam.
• Need Chapter Diagnoses? Deduct the cost from a full assessment later.

Ready to stop floundering in self-doubt and guesswork? Fill out the form and let’s get your story moving!

Why Trust Me?

10 years in small presses. Oodles of manuscripts sharpened as a freelancer. I’ve read the “slush” pile, seen the same pitfalls time and again, the pacing slumps, the absent character arcs, the emotional tries that flatline. And I have a commitment to quality. Your story deserves better than to end up another dead weight, stacking up the online library of will-never-be-read books.

As I say, give your book the attention it deserves.

Choose your free workbook from the following:

How long should I expect to wait for my assessment?

This depends on the word count and my work schedule, but we will discuss that at consultation stage.

Will this hurt?

Only your ego (temporarily). Don't worry. I'll give you honest but constructive feedback and will treat your manuscript with the utmost care and respect.

I have a specific launch date set up and I need my MS assessed ASAP. Can you prioritise my manuscript?

That's highly unlikely, though not impossible. Again, it depends on the size of the work and my schedule. I do my best to meet deadlines and fit people in where I can, so contact me to discuss. My best advice is that you book your MS assessment at least six months in advance of your launch date, as an average guestimate, However, be prepared that if it still requires a hefty revision, plus copy edits and proofreading after I have worked with it, even six months might be a little ambitious. Working on the story elements is best done before any copyediting of proofreading.

Is it possible to buy coaching rather than an assessment?

For sure! Just message me to discuss what your requirements are. All consultations are free.

I need a beta reader. Can you help and what's the difference between that and an MS Assessment?

Yes, I also beta read. The same process as the MS assessment: fill out your project details and I'll contact you to discuss and create a custom quote.

A Structural MS Assessment will focus on elements such as writing techniques, plot, character and worldbuilding, tension, execution, etc ON A MACRO LEVEL. I.E. in a general sense, not paragraph by paragraph; line by line. It will also give you suggestions on potential remedies or alternatives to consider where needed.

A Developmental Assessment analyses both the structural, macro elements of a story and the micro moments. It considers each line and paragraph in respect of their effectiveness in creating the desired reading experience, in accordance with those macro elements, as well as the overall effects. It makes suggestions to strengthen or remedy weak areas, how to develop characters, settings and plot using writing techniques, etc.

Beta reading will also give you feedback on the MS, but focuses more on the experience of the reader and doesn't suggest how to remedy weak areas. Beta reading remarks on the reader's potential interpretations of the characters and their actions, the plot intrigue and the pacing (where it lags and where it pops), and where tension points elicit the right emotions or where they fall flat. Overall, beta reading informs the author what's loveable about the story and what still needs work, but it is for the writer to recognise what techniques are needed to resolve the issues.

What else can I expect from your services?

Along with the assessment, you'll also have support from me in developing the MS. Once you have received your completed MS, you can still ask me questions to clarify any of my comments and bounce ideas around with me for the next stage. I must stipulate, though, that any further readings of revisions and any further feedback on those revisions will require further payment.

I also have both a private Facebook and a private Reddit group that you can join for support. Please do also follow my blog Anvil & Ink on Subtack.

What's the difference between a structural assessment and a developmental assessment?