Editing

Stonebridge first reviews the manuscript and its current condition. A book with structural problems may need developmental editing. A strong draft may need line editing or copy editing. A manuscript that has already been thoroughly edited may only need proofreading before production. We do not believe every book should automatically be sold the same editorial package. The correct level depends on what is actually wrong, how much rewriting is required, and how close the manuscript is to publication readiness.

Developmental editing looks at the book as a whole: structure, pacing, argument, chapter order, missing material, repetition, and whether the manuscript works for its intended reader. Line editing works more closely on clarity, flow, tone, and sentence quality. Copy editing focuses on grammar, consistency, usage, punctuation, and technical correctness. Proofreading is the final quality-control stage after the manuscript has already been edited and formatted. Stonebridge can combine these stages when the manuscript needs more than one level of work.

The editor should strengthen the writing without turning it into someone else's book. Stonebridge works to preserve the author's voice, meaning, and personality while improving clarity, structure, grammar, flow, and readability. When a larger rewrite is necessary, the changes are still guided by the author's intended message. The client reviews the work before final approval, so the editorial process remains collaborative rather than giving an editor unrestricted control over the manuscript.

Editing cost depends mainly on manuscript length, the level of editing required, the condition of the draft, research or fact-checking needs, and how much rewriting is involved. Stonebridge reviews the manuscript before confirming the final investment. Ghostwriting and editing projects generally fall within a broader range of approximately $1,000 to $25,000, but that is not a quote for every editing job. A clean manuscript needing proofreading should not be priced like a manuscript requiring major developmental work.

The timeline depends on the manuscript length and the type of editing required. A proofreading project can move much faster than a developmental edit involving major restructuring and author revisions. Stonebridge confirms the timeline after reviewing the manuscript and the requested publication schedule. If the project includes editing, design, formatting, and publishing, those stages are planned together so the manuscript is not rushed into production before the editorial work is complete.

You receive the edited work for review and can raise questions, approve changes, or request revisions within the agreed scope. Stonebridge normally includes review and revision stages so the author can remain involved rather than simply receiving a finished file with no discussion. Once the manuscript is approved, it can move into formatting, cover production, publishing setup, or whichever next service is included. Large changes introduced after final approval may require a revised timeline or scope.