Editing Services
“Chris O’Byrne is an outstanding editor. He brings all of the expertise without the attitude of criticism and judgment. He goes the extra mile and is worth twice what he charges.”
Scott Lindquist, author of The Jesus Factory
There is so much more to editing than just proofreading. While a good editor is an expert proofreader, a great editor goes far beyond. A great editor analyzes your book completely and sees what is missing to take it to that next level—or next several levels. A great editor knows what the missing pieces are and shows you how and where to fit them in.
A great editor knows that your voice and style is part of your brand and makes sure that is never lost. A great editor is easy to work with, easy to talk to, and goes overboard to help you.
“Chris blew me way with his editing precision, swiftness, and professionalism. He turned my rough copy into publishable work overnight, making me realize just how indispensable he is as an editor.”
Everett Bogue, author of The Art of Being Minimalist
Why should you pay 2 cents per word to have your book edited by a great editor? Because you easily make many more times that back through recommendations and increased readership. Case in point, I recently bought a book from one of the big name bloggers. I expected a professional looking book with loads of valuable advice. I was disappointed. There may have been valuable advice, but there were so many grammatical and spelling errors, not to mention convoluted reasoning and terrible flow, that I could barely follow along. I did not recommend this author to anyone.
On the other hand, another recent purchase was filled with advice that I already knew—and I loved it! The book was written very clearly and had obviously been edited professionally. It was such a joy to read that I not only recommended it to all of my friends, but I was able to understand the material in more depth than ever before, simply because of the style of writing.
Which do you want your book to be?
“Chris O’Byrne is the kind of editor that leaves you in no doubt as to his skill and competency. What I love about working with Chris is his promptness, humor and courtesy. There was not a hint of superiority in what he did—just a gracious sharing of how to clean up a manuscript so that it reads better. And he offers a full range of editing services.We all need editors to be there for us as we wade through a manuscript we have written and reread many times over. His fresh eye is indispensable and I highly recommend him. You can’t go wrong with such a perceptive and genial guy.”
Vicki Woodyard, author of LIFE WITH A HOLE IN IT: That’s How The Light Gets In
So what will you receive when I edit your manuscript? The full package. I check and standardize grammar, spelling, punctuation, and other mechanics of style. I do a thorough check for consistency of mechanics and consistency of facts and also edit cover copy, front and back material, and spot check references. I assist you in clarifying meaning, eliminating jargon, smoothing language, and polishing your distinct style. I work with you to analyze your target audience and make sure you’re delivering a suitable and forceful message. This may include checking or correcting reading level and, in the case of fiction, adjusting dialogue if requested. I also review plot structure, dialogue, and characterization.
In addition, I also provide structural editing. Structural editing focuses on logical organization and flow of content to render your document clear, concise, and easy to read. A structural edit will ensure your arguments make sense, your plot develops in a compelling fashion, and your information is conveyed accurately.
“Chris O’Byrne was thorough and insightful editing my novel. I particularly appreciated his respect for my writing style rather than imposing his preferences on my work. He was a considerate and friendly professional to engage in the sensitive task of editing one’s writings. I highly recommend Chris to writers seeking a first rate editor.”
D K Elliott, author of The Canyon Caper
To get a free sample edit of your book, attach your manuscript using the contact form below and you’ll receive your sample edit within a day or two. There is no obligation on your part and you receive useful feedback to help you make an intelligent decision.