Frequently asked questions about our book services

We offer four distinct levels of editing, each designed to address different aspects of your manuscript. Developmental editing focuses on big-picture elements such as plot structure, character arcs, pacing, and thematic coherence. This is ideal for early drafts where the story still needs shaping. Line editing works at the sentence and paragraph level, refining your prose for style, flow, voice, and readability. Copy editing addresses grammar, punctuation, spelling, consistency, and factual accuracy. Finally, proofreading is the last pass before publication, catching any remaining typos or formatting errors. Many authors benefit from a combination of these services, and we can recommend the right approach after reviewing a sample of your work.

Timelines depend on the length of your manuscript, the type of editing required, and our current workload. As a general guide, a developmental edit for a novel of 80,000–100,000 words typically takes four to six weeks. Line editing for the same length usually takes three to four weeks, while copy editing and proofreading are faster — generally two to three weeks. We always provide a specific timeline estimate before you commit, and we do our best to accommodate tight deadlines when possible. Rush services are available for an additional fee.

Absolutely — self-published authors make up a significant portion of our client base, and we love working with them. Self-publishing gives you complete creative control, and our role is to ensure your book meets the same professional standards as traditionally published titles. We can assist with editing, cover and interior design, ISBN registration, ebook conversion, print-on-demand setup, and distribution through platforms like Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and Apple Books. We also offer marketing guidance tailored specifically to the self-publishing landscape.

Every project is unique, so we provide custom quotes based on your manuscript length, genre, and the services you need. To give you a rough idea: copy editing for a standard novel typically starts from around $1,200 AUD, developmental editing from $2,500 AUD, and cover design packages from $800 AUD. We are always transparent about pricing and will never surprise you with hidden fees. After an initial consultation and a review of a sample chapter, we provide a detailed written quote that outlines exactly what is included. Payment plans are available for larger projects.

While we are not a literary agency, we do offer query letter and synopsis writing assistance, which are critical components of the submission process. We can help you craft a compelling pitch, identify appropriate agents and publishers for your genre, and prepare your submission package to industry standards. Our team has strong connections within the Australian publishing community and can provide guidance on which publishers are currently accepting submissions. We have helped numerous clients secure representation and publishing deals through our preparation services.

We work across a wide range of genres and formats. Our editors and designers have experience with literary fiction, commercial fiction (including romance, thriller, mystery, science fiction, and fantasy), children's and young adult books, memoir and autobiography, business and self-help, academic texts, poetry collections, and illustrated non-fiction. If your project falls outside these categories, please get in touch — chances are we can still help or can refer you to a specialist in our network.

Yes, always. You retain 100% of the intellectual property rights to your manuscript, story, characters, and all related content. We are a service provider, not a publisher — we do not take any ownership stake in your work. Once our services are complete and payment has been received, all deliverables (edited manuscripts, design files, marketing materials) are yours to use as you see fit. We may ask for permission to use your book cover or a brief testimonial in our portfolio, but this is entirely optional and does not affect your rights in any way.

Getting started is simple. Visit our home page and fill out the contact form with a brief description of your project, or send us an email at [email protected]. We will schedule a free 30-minute consultation call to discuss your goals, timeline, and budget. After the call, we will request a sample of your manuscript (typically the first three chapters) and provide a detailed quote within two business days. Once you approve the quote, we sign a service agreement and get to work. It really is that straightforward.