A book titled 'Editing' by Martha A. Seahorn Bryant Price partly visible on a dark, scratched surface, next to a cup of coffee with foam art.

Whether you’re just starting out on your writing journey or you’re ready to hit publish, I can help.

Check out my services below and get in touch if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

My services

Book coaching

What is it?

Writing a book can be lonely and the biggest hurdle most authors face is getting to the end. Book coaching is one-to-one support to give you motivation, accountability and all the tools you need to succeed delivered via Zoom or Google Meet on a fortnightly or monthly schedule to suit your needs.

I have three packages tailored for different stages of your writing journey or we can work together to create a bespoke package.

Coaching starts with an introductory call where we’ll discuss your aims, your novel and if coaching will be a good fit for you.

This is for you if: 

  • You’ve always wanted to write a book but don’t know where to start

  • You work best with someone by your side cheering you on 

  • You need accountability to make sure you finish that draft

  • You want tailored one-on-one support to help you achieve your goals

Black sketch of a spiral-bound notebook with the word "notes" on the cover and a small heart in the bottom right corner.

  • This package is designed for authors who have an idea but are struggling with procrastination. It focuses on structure, craft and development to ensure you can get your ideas onto paper.

    • Six hour-long calls, including an initial goal-setting call to be taken at either fortnightly or monthly intervals.

    • A coaching plan tailored to your goals to be determined in the initial goal-setting call, materials and resources according to your needs and feedback on your plot so that you can start writing with confidence

    Investment: £1200

  • This package is for authors who have started writing but are struggling with momentum. It focuses on accountability and maintaining habits. If you’re struggling with a publisher deadline (or a self-imposed one!), you’ll have regular check-ins and support to help you reignite your passion for your project and get to the finish line.

    • Six hour-long calls, to include an initial goal-setting call

    • Weekly email check-ins to help you stay on track

    • Feedback on your idea and plot development to help you get past your writer’s block

    • A readthrough of your existing chapters can be added on for an additional fee. Price will depend on word count.

    Investment: £1000

  • This might be for you if you’re looking for feedback on your novel, but you’re not sure a traditional manuscript assessment or developmental edit is the right type of feedback for you.

    • A full read-through of your novel with feedback delivered across a series of calls

    • Six hour-long calls, including an initial goal setting call prior to my first read to discuss specific details and aspects of the edit and how you might resolve them.

    Investment starts at £1600. Please get in touch with your word count for more details.

  • I offer bespoke packages and can work with you to create a plan that focuses on what you need. Whether you’re looking for support on craft, accountability or a mix of both. Perhaps you want more ad-hoc calls, a long-term arrangement, or just want a on-off chat.

    If none of my existing packages seem like the right fit, please do get in touch for a quote.

Manuscript Assessment 

What is it?

A manuscript assessment evaluates the overall shape of your novel. It will detail the strengths and weaknesses of your novel and give you advice for next steps so you can go into your revisions with confidence.

Who is it for?

  • Writers who have finished a first draft and want initial feedback on how to revise it effectively without the investment of a full developmental edit

  • Seasoned authors who are confident in their craft but want the feedback from a sharp set of editorial eyes 

  • Authors who are struggling to decipher rejections from agents after their full manuscript has been requested

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    • A written report of approximately 4–6 pages which covers the broad strokes of your manuscript, focusing on the plot, structure, character and pacing 

    • Clear explanations of what is and isn’t working, with suggestions of how to address these issues

    • Manuscript assessments prices start from £0.013 per word. 

    • Follow up calls and second-round revision reads can be added to this service for an additional cost.

    • A manuscript assessment usually takes 2-3 weeks, depending on my schedule.

    • Faster turnarounds are sometimes possible but a rush fee will apply.

I need a manuscript assessment

Developmental edit

What is it?

A developmental edit is a full, detailed edit of your novel including comments and suggested rewrites using Track Changes in Microsoft Word. It is also known as structural editing. 

Who is it for? 

  • Anyone who has completed a novel and is looking to self-publish or submit to agents

  • Authors looking for a deep analysis and understanding of their work, and how it could be improved to ensure the best reader experience possible

  • Beginner authors who need additional support and examples of what to change and how 

  • Anybody who is looking to improve their craft and wants the additional depth that manuscript comments offers

A simple line drawing of an open laptop computer with a screen and keyboard.

    • I’ll edit your novel using Track Changes in Word and use comments to make queries and highlight what you’re doing well. 

    • You will also receive a detailed editorial report of approximately 10-12 pages covering the key components of the novel which will elaborate on my manuscript comments and reference specific aspects of the novel with clear suggestions for rewrites. This usually includes plot, structure, pacing, character, tone and setting.

    • A 60 minute video call (or an email exchange if you prefer!) is included in this service to ensure that we can talk through the suggestions I’ve made and how you might implement them.

    • Developmental edit prices start from £0.025 per word. 

    • Additional follow up calls and second-round revision reads can be added to this service for an additional cost.

    • A developmental edit usually takes 4-6 weeks, depending on my schedule.

    • Faster turnarounds are sometimes possible but a rush fee will apply.

I need a developmental edit

Copy and line editing

What is it?

I offer copy, line and combine copy-line editing to authors to suit the needs of your novel and budget.

The line edit is a stylistic stage, while the copy edit focuses on the more technical details. A combined copy-line edit merges these for a more efficient and budget-friendly option.

Who is it for?

  • Authors who are confident in their plot structure, but want to ensure their ideas are coming across effectively.

  • Anyone looking to ensure a polished, professional final product that retains their author voice.

A line drawing of an open book with horizontal lines representing text and a small square image or icon on the left page, with a small heart symbol at the bottom left corner.

    • A full, thorough line edit of your manuscript that preserves your distinctive author voice while improving the flow of your novel.

    • A completed copy edit done on a second pass of the manuscript once the line edit pass is complete, for errors in continuity, factual inaccuracies, consistency.

    • Formatting according to your chosen dictionary and style guide (usually New Hart’s Rules for British English or Chicago Manual of Style for US English).

    • A marked-up manuscript using Tracked Changes in MS Word.

    • A bespoke Style Sheet outlining editorial decisions such as spelling, grammar and capitalisation.

    • Please note, this is a one-round service though it includes two editorial passes. Additional read-throughs of your changes can be added on for an extra fee.

  • Copy editing starts at £0.016 per word.

    Line editing starts at £0.023 per word.

    Combined copy-line edit pricing starts at £0.035 per word.

    • The turnaround time for a combined copy-line edit is approximately 6-8 weeks, depending on my schedule and the complexity of your project.

    • Faster turnarounds are sometimes possible but a rush fee will apply.

  • Yes! You can book a line edit, a copy edit or a combined copy-line edit.

I need a copy or line edit

Can’t find what you’re looking for?

If you’re still not sure which service you need or if you can’t find what you’re looking for, please get in touch.

I’m always happy to create bespoke packages and services where I can.

I want to work together

  • “She was instrumental in The Dinner Lady Detectives becoming the series it is. It never would have happened without Siân and her endless hard work. If you are looking for an editor with bags of talent and who is also a lovely person then Siân is your go-to!”

    Hannah Hendy

  • "Siân is a meticulous and inspiring editor whose outstanding work has always elevated my manuscripts. She has an amazing eye for detail and the commercial elements of a story."

    Sarah Ward

  • "Siân is a brilliant editor. She's great at pinpointing the strengths and weaknesses of a manuscript and giving detailed feedback on how to make the best things shine and resolve the issues. Working with Siân made me feel really confident that I was telling the best story I could – she really understood what I wanted to do and helped me get there."

    Anna Britton

  • “I had the pleasure of working with Siân for my first novel with Joffe Books. Her ability to hone in on the elements that create tension and suspense allowed me to take my novel to the next level. She is also very easy to work with, answering questions and adding to a safe environment where creativity can thrive. I’m beyond thrilled with the product we created together, and anyone would be lucky to work with her.”

    S. C. Shannon

Book cover of 'The Birthday Girl' by Sarah Ward, featuring a stormy landscape with a castle and seagulls. Text reads: 'They're here to unwind. She's here to kill. An absolutely unputdownable crime thriller.'
Book cover of 'Black Water Rising' by Sean Watkin, featuring a city skyline and reflective water.
Book cover of 'The Dinner Lady Detectives' by Hannah Hendy featuring a quaint village illustration.
Cover of the book "Shot in the Dark" by Anna Britton featuring a silhouette of a person walking through a dark, eerie forest with tall trees. Text includes praise from Jo Callaghan and the tagline: 'Three bullets. Five suspects. No alibis.'
Book cover titled 'My Only Weakness' depicting a romantic scene of a man and woman kissing outdoors at sunset with trees and mountains in the background.
Book cover for 'Liar Liar' from The Liverpool Crime Series by Luca Veste, showing a building with a domed top and a butterfly sculpture, with a dramatic sky background, and the tagline 'If no-one believes you... No-one will help you...'
Book cover for 'Hattie Breaks a Leg' by Patrick Gleeson, featuring a theatrical stage with red curtains, a blue backdrop, a school desk with a bloody knife, and hanging clouds, with text indicating 'A Theatreland Mystery' and 'The stage is set for ve
Book cover of 'Nothing Left Behind' by Hannah Brennan, featuring a matchstick igniting a paper house illustration with a wooden background

Meet the editor!

Hi! I’m Siân, a fiction editor and publishing consultant with extensive experience editing bestsellers. 

I’m passionate about making the editing process joyful and rewarding, and helping authors find their voice.

Get to know more about me
Smiling woman with glasses and earrings sitting at a restaurant table.
Graphic of a large blue cloud with stylized white letters 'S' and 'H' in the center.
Book cover for "Dark Road Home" by Sheila Bugler, featuring a scenic road leading to a house with dramatic skies, and text 'Deadly secrets live in dying towns'."
Book cover of 'Hers to Have and to Hold' by June Francis featuring a woman in vintage clothing with a street and houses in the background, plus a plane and a lamp post.
Cover of 'Old Evils' by Alex Walters, a DI Annie Delamere novel, featuring a dark night snowy scene with an illuminated house and street lamp.
Book cover for 'Win or Die' by Darren O'Sullivan featuring a shattered glass design with a bloodstain, black background, and yellow and white text.
Cover of "What the Dead Want" by MJ Lee featuring a silhouette of a man walking down a street at night, with cars parked on either side and street lamps illuminating the scene.
"Death Rites" book cover by Sarah Ward, featuring torn red rope on a yellow background with blurb by Michael Wood.
Book cover of "Anything for You" by Sophie McKenzie, featuring a close-up of a woman's face with long hair and blue eyes, with the title in bold pink letters and an accompanying quote about love.

Let’s work together!