Darren Edits homepage
Welcome
Professional editing services located in Northwest Washington
Services
I focus on developmental editing of fiction manuscripts and technical documents but also offer a variety of other services, including editorial assessments and copyediting.
Developmental Editing
Developmental edits are most often utilized for novels but can be useful for short stories and even technical documents. The Editorial Freelance Association describes a developmental edit as dealing with "content, organization, and genre considerations." For a developmental edit I provide an editorial letter focusing on the overall manuscript and marginal comments within the manuscript itself.
Editorial Assessments
An editorial assessment could be considered a "light" developmental edit and is sometimes called a manuscript evaluation or reader's review. This type of edit can precede or take the place of a full developmental edit, depending on the needs of the manuscript. For an editorial assessment I provide an editorial letter but do not provide marginal notes and inline comments.
Copyediting
Copyediting is what most people think of when they hear the word editing. Depending on the manuscript needs, copyediting can have varying levels, which range from light to heavy. Light copyediting is similar in scope to proofreading and focuses on typos and punctuation; heavy copyediting has similarities to line editing and focuses on reworking much of the punctuation, spelling, and grammar. For a copyedit I provide inline edits, marginal comments, a project style sheet, and an overview letter regarding the overall project.
Technical Editing
I have many years of experience in the software development industry, leaving me well equipped to edit technical, academic, and scientific papers. I understand complex topics and point out inconsistencies that editors without a technical background may miss. Technical documents can undergo a full editing regimen (developmental through proofreading), but—depending on the audience and subject—an edit similar to a line edit or heavy copyedit will often fit the bill.
About Me
I hold a Certificate in Editing from University of Washington and a BA in Creative Writing from Western Washington University. I have nearly two decades of experience in the tech sector, working with both small clients and Fortune 50 companies—Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft, to name a few—to build complex and useful products. My years of real-world experience in the technology sector allow me to support authors with the complex and technical themes of science fiction, helping them bring their stories to life in believable, realistic, and impactful ways.
Contact
Every project starts with a consultation to discuss the state of your manuscript and project goals. I believe the foundation of every project is a good working relationship.
My rates are in line with the major freelance editing organizations in the United States and Canada. For an idea of the hourly rates for professional editors, you can visit the Editorial Freelancers Association or Editors Canada. To get an estimate for your project or discuss your options further, get in touch.