Manuscript Editing Services for Fiction Authors – Élan & Co
🇫🇷 Version FR
✦ Manuscript Editing — Élan & Co

Your manuscript,polished to perfection.

From light proofreading to deep structural editing — professional manuscript editing that sharpens your prose, strengthens your story, and gets your book ready for the world. Because the right editor doesn't change your voice. They amplify it.

“ Every great book has had a great editor. Yours deserves the same. ”

✦ Native French · Bilingual editor · 20+ years
  • Proofreading & light correction
  • Copy Editing & line-level polish
  • Developmental Editing (full manuscript)
  • Voice preservation, always
  • Tracked changes + editorial report
  • Quote turnaround within 48 hours
  • Responsive, clear communication
20+

Years of expertise

Professional writing and editing since 2004.

FR/EN

Bilingual precision

Native French, fluent English — every nuance, every idiom.

3

Levels of editing

Proofreading, Copy Editing, and Developmental — tailored to your stage.

48h

Quote turnaround

Quote and clear pricing within 48 hours.

Services

Three levels. One goal: your best book.

Not every manuscript needs the same level of editing — and a good editor knows the difference. Whether you need a final sweep before submission or a full structural rethink, here's what I offer.

🔍 Entry level

Proof­reading

The last line of defence before publication. Once your manuscript has been through revisions, a professional proofreader catches everything that's slipped through: typos, missing words, inconsistent punctuation, formatting errors — the kind of small mistakes that are invisible to an author who knows their text by heart.

  • Spelling, grammar & punctuation corrections
  • Consistency checks (names, dates, locations)
  • Formatting and layout errors
  • Annotated manuscript with tracked changes
  • Brief proofreading notes document
🎯 Ideal for: authors ready to publish who need a clean, error-free final copy.
✍️ Most popular

Copy Editing

Line-by-line manuscript editing that sharpens every sentence. I correct grammar, punctuation, and syntax while preserving your voice — then go further: restructuring weak sentences, smoothing awkward phrasing, reducing passive voice, and catching "telling" instead of "showing," tense shifts, dialogue tag issues, and continuity errors.

  • All proofreading corrections included
  • Sentence-level restructuring for clarity & flow
  • Style guide application (Chicago or custom)
  • Consistency checks across the full manuscript
  • Annotated tracked changes + custom style sheet
🎯 Ideal for: structurally sound manuscripts that need meticulous line-level polish before publication or agent submission.
🏗️ Deepest transformation

Developmental Editing

Your story's foundation — plot, character, pacing, worldbuilding — examined from every angle. Two full editorial passes. Nothing left unexamined.

An in-depth, two-pass process: the first pass targets big-picture story issues with light line edits and in-text reactions; the second provides a thorough line-and-copy edit alongside a review of your revisions. I examine plot structure, pacing, character arcs, dialogue versus narration balance, "show vs. tell," internal consistency, and whether each character stays true to their voice — while automatically addressing sentence-level errors throughout.

  • Comprehensive editorial report: strengths, weaknesses, actionable revision plan
  • Detailed feedback on plot structure, narrative arc & pacing
  • Character development, motivation & voice analysis
  • Worldbuilding consistency review (fantasy, sci-fi, historical fiction)
  • Scene-by-scene breakdown with specific suggestions
  • Story Bible: character profiles, timeline, locations
  • Annotated manuscript — two complete passes
  • Optional follow-up consultation call
The Élan & Co difference

Why work with Sophie.

Any editor can catch a typo. What you're hiring is twenty years of writing precision, a genuine love of storytelling, and an editor who treats your manuscript with the same care she brings to her own work.

🎯

Your Voice, Amplified

A good editor never rewrites an author's voice — they amplify it. My goal is always to make your manuscript sound more like you, not like me. Every suggestion is offered with that principle in mind: clarity first, your voice always.

🇫🇷🇬🇧

Bilingual Precision

As a native French speaker with full bilingual fluency in English, I catch errors and inconsistencies that a monolingual editor might miss — particularly for authors writing in their second language, or manuscripts with French-language elements.

📚

Genre-Aware Editing

Literary fiction, romance, fantasy, thriller, historical fiction, memoir — each genre has conventions, reader expectations, and structural rules. I bring genuine familiarity with the genres I edit, not just generic feedback.

📝

A Paper Trail for Every Decision

No vague verbal notes. Every editorial decision is documented, tracked, and explained. You'll always know why a suggestion was made, and you'll always have the final say. Transparency is non-negotiable.

🔍

Nothing Gets Glossed Over

I read your manuscript the way a sharp-eyed acquisitions editor would — with full attention, from page one to the last line. If something doesn't work, I'll tell you clearly, constructively, and with a path forward.

⏱️

Deadlines You Can Count On

Your launch date isn't a suggestion. I work backwards from your deadline from day one, build in revision time, and communicate proactively if anything shifts. Reliability is part of the service — not a bonus.

How it works

Simple from day one.

01

First Contact

Tell me about your manuscript: genre, word count, where you are in the process. I'll respond within 48 hours with a clear quote.

02

Quote & Brief

You receive a clear word-based quote and we align on tone, timeline, and specific goals for your manuscript.

03

Deep Editing

I work through your manuscript with meticulous attention. You'll receive updates at agreed milestones.

04

Delivery & Review

Receive your edited manuscript with full annotations, editorial report, and one included revision round.

Transparent Pricing

Clear rates, no surprises.

All editing is priced per 1,000 words, based on your manuscript's word count, genre, and complexity. A free 48-hour quote is included — no commitment required. The longer your manuscript, the better the rate.

🔍

Proofreading

€10 / 1,000 words

Final sweep before publication. Light correction, no structural changes.

  • Spelling & grammar
  • Punctuation & formatting
  • Consistency pass
  • Tracked changes document
🏗️

Developmental Editing

from €23,50 / 1,000 words

Deep structural edit. Two full passes. Everything included.

Word count scale
Up to 90,000 words€23,50
90,001 – 120,000 words€25,50
120,001 – 145,000 words€28,50
145,001+ words€30,50

Series discounts available · Rush delivery on request · All quotes provided in writing within 48 hours

Client Testimonials

What authors say.

Sophie caught things in my manuscript that three rounds of self-editing had missed. But more than that, every note felt like it came from someone who genuinely understood what I was trying to say — and wanted to help me say it better.

— Fiction Author, Copy Edit client

The developmental edit completely transformed my novel's second act. I knew something wasn't working, but couldn't identify what. Sophie's editorial report gave me exactly the roadmap I needed.

— Fantasy Author, Developmental Edit client

I was nervous about having someone edit my first book. Sophie's feedback was direct, constructive, and never made me feel like my story was wrong — just that it could be even better. It could.

— Debut Novelist, Full Manuscript Edit
Frequently Asked Questions

Before you reach out.

Which level of editing does my manuscript need?

The best starting point is to describe your manuscript to me: genre, word count, and where you are in the process. If you're unsure which level is right, copy editing is the most versatile choice for manuscripts that are structurally finished but need refinement. Developmental editing is the right choice if you're still working through the story's foundations. I'm always happy to discuss your project before you commit.

Will you change my voice or rewrite my work?

Never. Your voice is the most valuable thing in your manuscript — my job is to protect and amplify it, not replace it. All suggestions are presented as tracked changes, meaning you review every single edit and accept or reject it. Nothing is imposed. The final manuscript is always yours.

How long does an edit take?

Timelines depend on manuscript length, the level of editing, and my current availability. As a general guideline: proofreading takes 1–2 weeks for a full novel-length manuscript; copy editing 2–4 weeks; developmental editing 4–8 weeks (including both passes and your revision time). I'll always give you a precise timeline with your quote.

Do you edit manuscripts in French as well as English?

My manuscript editing services are currently offered for English-language manuscripts only. For French manuscripts (correction de manuscrit, bêta-lecture, relecture stylistique), please visit my French author services page.

What genres do you specialise in?

I work across literary fiction, commercial fiction, romance (including subgenres), fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction, thriller, and memoir/creative non-fiction. If your genre isn't listed, reach out — I'm happy to assess whether your project is a good fit.

Is a deposit required?

Yes. A 50% deposit is required before I begin work, with the remaining 50% due upon delivery of the final edited manuscript. All project details, scope, and timeline are confirmed in a written agreement before we start.

Ready to take your manuscript further?

Tell me about your manuscript. I'll respond within 48 hours with a clear quote, honest assessment of what your manuscript needs, and a proposed timeline — no commitment required.

Get in Touch →

Free quote · 48-hour response · All details confirmed in writing