The Fiction Editor works in partnership with Haus of Fables to offer a range of editing services to support independent authors as they prepare a strong and polished final manuscript for publication. These services include developmental editing, line and copy editing, proofreading, and formatting. The Fiction Editor will work closely with you to ensure your manuscript is the best it can be, while working to maintain your unique voice and style. The critique is rigorous and standards are high, but always undertaken with a supportive, positive, and empathetic hand. Whether you're an established author or just starting out, The Fiction Editor can help you bring your story to life.

Meet the fiction editor

Shelly

Meet your friendly fiction editor, Shelly, who is a member of the Institute of Professional Editors Limited (IPEd) and the Canberra Society of Editors (CSE). Trained and based in Australia, she is proficient in a broad range of Australian and New Zealand style guides and editing conventions, but is also highly experienced in the application of the US-based Chicago Manual of Style.

Shelly has 20+ years of professional experience in marketing and storytelling in the non-profit and humanitarian sector.

read more...

Complimentary Sample Edit

Before any major editing service commences, a complimentary (free) sample edit of one to two full chapters will be completed. The goal of a sample edit for your potential editor is for them to understand your style and to ensure they are a good fit for you. The goal for you as the author is to get to know the editor, and to feel confident that their critique and communication style will work for you before committing to a paid editing package.

Editing packages

Developmental edit

Developmental editing will focus on overall story structure, pacing, tone, character development and worldbuilding. This is also known as substantial, structural or content editing.

 

Deliverables: Editorial letter | Book map | Manuscript mark-ups*

Pricing:

From AUD$0.035 per word

Line and copy edit

Line and copy editing will focus in detail on grammar, spelling, punctuation, overall readability, and the internal consistency of your manuscript. A detailed style sheet will be produced as a tool to ensure internal consistency and to support the writing and editing process for future books in a series (if relevant).

 

Deliverables: Editorial letter | Style sheet | Manuscript mark-ups*

Pricing:

From AUD$0.035 per word

Proofreading

Proofreading is the final quality control editing round prior to publishing, to ensure your manuscript is error-free. Shelly is currently only accepting proofreading for manuscripts that have been through at least one of the above stages with a professional editor. A sample edit is not required prior to a proofread, but is available on request for new clients.

 

Deliverables: Manuscript mark-ups | Style sheet (if not already provided) | Editorial letter (if needed)

Pricing:

From AUD$0.015 per word

Published edit

Re-editing of an already self-published manuscript. This package can be adapted to suit the specific needs of your project. A published edit will usually focus on grammar, spelling, punctuation, overall readability, and the internal consistency of your manuscript. A style sheet will be produced as a tool to ensure editing consistency and to support the editing process for future books in a series (if relevant). A sample edit is not required prior to a published edit, but is available on request for new clients.

 

Deliverables: Style sheet | Manuscript mark-ups*

Pricing:

From AUD$0.025 per word

Combined editing packages

Developmental + Line and copy edit

Two distinct stages—combined package.

Deliverables: Editorial letter | Book map | Style sheet | Manuscript mark-ups* (over two distinct stages)

Pricing:

From AUD$0.055 per word

Developmental + Line and copy edit + Proofreading

Three distinct stages—combined package, with the proofreading round involving a second editor for precision.

Deliverables: Editorial letter | Book map | Style sheet | Manuscript mark-ups* (over three distinct stages)

Pricing:

From AUD$0.065 per word

* Please note Shelly provides a comprehensive editing service designed to support a project through to completion, and will therefore include as many follow-up passes of tracked manuscripts, and collaborative discussions via email or video call as needed.

Payment Timeline

During the booking process, you will be issued with a quote and editing letter of agreement. Formally accepting your quote secures your booking slot and pricing. No payment will be required until after a successful sample edit, and your commencement invoice will be issued the month prior to the start of your booking. Custom payment plans are available on request, otherwise the default invoicing timeline will be 50% payment prior to the commencement of each major editing stage, and 50% upon completion of all deliverables for that stage. All quotes and invoices will be issued in AUD, and will convert to your local currency at time of payment.

Editing Package Optional Extras

Marketing Guide

An optional add-on to your editing services package is a written marketing guide that will include:

  • Short and long-form marketable quotes
  • Scene and character art commission ideas
  • Bonus content (alternative POV or off-page scenes etc.)
  • Tropes list

Deliverables: Marketing Guide

Pricing:

From AUD$0.0075 per word
[with a 20% add-on discount]

Blurb Writing

Blurb writing is a form of marketing copywriting that can feel incredibly challenging after the mammoth effort of writing a book! Why not consider commissioning a blurb as an optional add-on to any major editing service?

[Note: Only available as an add-on to another editing package]

 

Deliverables: Production of a marketing blurb (150-250 words), with unlimited revisions

Pricing:

AUD$250
[flat rate]

Endorsements

“I am so glad I took a chance on Shelly, The Fiction Editor.

From her sample edit, I never once felt anxious opening up her reviews, only excited for the new possibilities and precision guidance she offered.

Shelly met my energy at every step, working to understand the final vision without asking me to do any extra labor. Her kindness and empathy is steeped into her work, and all feedback is clearly worded, linear, and gentle.

I cannot express how easy Shelly made the developmental and copy edit process—I was sick, I was job hunting, and somehow we were early for the deadlines after turning out a book I am uncomfortably proud of.

If you need an editor who will see you, embrace your vision, and will know how to refine it, you need Shelly.”

~Elisse Hay, author of the Fate Untethered series

“I had the pleasure of working with Shelly on the first book of my second series, and can comfortably say that as long as she intends to edit, I will be hiring her for all future books.

The Pendragon Wytch went through a full developmental and line/copy edit, and I was blown away by the quality of Shelly’s work.

The book map and style sheet have been invaluable tools for writing the next book in the series. I can pop into them at any point to reference character's plotlines, appearance, notable moments etc. This alone has saved me so much time and ensures a streamlined series with less chance of plot holes.

We all know how hard it is to find quotable moments in our work, and her marketing guide took all the pain out of marketing on social platforms by having it all in one place. Not only did it highlight a large range of quotable dialogue, but it also broke it up into sections of shorter, quippy quotes, and longer ones, designed to help with different types of marketing. There were bonus content suggestions, notable moments to consider for art commissions, and much more. 

For the edit itself, Shelly is fantastic at respecting your voice within your work, while polishing the manuscript into the best version of itself. I can honestly say it is the most enjoyable, relaxed edit I have done in what will now be five books. 

I cannot recommend Shelly highly enough.”

~C. C. Davie, author of The Wytchling Chronicles

Formatting packages:

The Fiction Editor utilises Vellum, where authors will have a variety of interior formatting styles to choose from. While specialising in clean and minimalist formatting, additional author-provided graphic elements such as maps, ornamental breaks, chapter headers, or full-page artwork are welcome and can be incorporated into all basic packages at no additional cost.

eBook only

Deliverables: EPUB (for for Kindle, Kobo, Apple, Google and Nook)

Pricing:

from AUD$200

Print only

Deliverables: Print PDF (various trim sizes to choose from)

Pricing:

from AUD$200

Print and eBook (combined package)

Deliverables: EPUB (for for Kindle, Kobo, Apple, Google and Nook) + Print PDF (various trim sizes to choose from)

Pricing:

from AUD$300

Optional extras:

If you would like to go beyond the basic formatting package, you can add on:

  • Additional graphic embellishments created by Shelly (handwritten notes, signs etc.)
  • Purchased or commissioned custom art (may include chapter header art, ornamental break graphic and/or full-page art)
  • Pricing: varies depending on project scope (enquire for a detailed quote)

Shelly offers complimentary file updates for up to three months from publication to allow for the correction of any typos or other errors. After the initial three-month period has elapsed, a small fee may be charged. Alternatively, the Vellum files can be provided to clients for ongoing self-management.

Get in touch with Shelly

AUTHOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORM


FAQs

Am I the right editor for you?

The sample edit process is a way to ensure we are both the right fit for each other—both practically (editing and critique style) and philosophically (themes and content). Participating in the professional process of preparing a book for publication is something I take very seriously, and I seek to take on manuscripts that I am passionate about. I understand that writing is political and seek to work with authors who share a passion for inclusivity and representation.

Are you comfortable editing spice?

Yes! My approach is one of sex-positivity, and I am happy to edit all forms of on-page spice. However, I will always strongly recommend involving sensitivity readers in the editing process where some specific kinks are involved.

Are you a sensitivity reader?

No! While I have lived experience with neurodivergence, and have studied at a post-graduate level in areas such as cross-cultural communication and intersectional representation in fiction—I will only be able to critique or advise from an academic perspective. I will strongly recommend the engagement of own-voices sensitivity readers in the editing process, and when necessary, decline working on a manuscript if there is a reluctance to handle representation with the care and ethics I strongly believe it requires.