Developmental Editing
Story & structureThe big-picture edit. Plot, pacing, character arcs, argument structure, chapter order — we map what your book is doing against what it's trying to do, and show you how to close the gap.
We find what's hiding in your manuscript.
Developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading for authors and small presses — with flat quotes and fast turnarounds.
Get a quote See pricingServices
Not sure which one your manuscript needs? Send us a sample and we'll tell you honestly — including when a lighter (cheaper) pass is the right call.
The big-picture edit. Plot, pacing, character arcs, argument structure, chapter order — we map what your book is doing against what it's trying to do, and show you how to close the gap.
The sentence-level edit. Clarity, consistency, grammar, word choice, and rhythm — every line tightened without sanding off your voice. Includes a style sheet for your book.
The final read before the world sees it. Typos, stray punctuation, formatting slips, and the errors that only surface once a manuscript thinks it's finished.
Process
You'll know the price, the timeline, and exactly what you're getting before any editing begins.
Email us a sample of your manuscript and your total word count. A chapter or ~3,000 words is ideal.
You get a flat, fixed quote within one business day — the number you're quoted is the number you pay.
Your manuscript comes back with tracked changes and margin comments, so every edit is visible and reversible.
Want to talk it through? We'll schedule a call to walk the edit together. Entirely optional, always included.
Pricing
Rates vary within each range based on the manuscript's condition and complexity — your sample tells us where yours lands.
| Service | Rate per 1,000 words | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| ProofreadingThe last pass | $8 – $12 | Final manuscripts headed to print or upload |
| CopyeditingLine by line | $15 – $22 | Complete drafts that need sentence-level polish |
| Developmental EditingStory & structure | $25 – $35 | Early drafts where the bones still need setting |
Every quote is flat and fixed before we start. No hourly creep, no surprise invoices, no "it ran long."
About
Pepe Sylvia Editing is a small editorial shop in Washington state. We are the house editor for Chicken and Airline Miles Publishing, and we take on a limited number of independent authors and presses alongside that work.
We read obsessively, we edit transparently, and we turn manuscripts around fast — because momentum matters more to a writer than almost anything an editor can offer, except maybe honesty. You'll get both.
Yes, the name is a bit of a conspiracy. The editing is not.
Contact
Send a sample and your word count, and you'll have a flat quote within one business day.
Attach a sample (a chapter or ~3,000 words), tell us your total word count, and mention which service you think you need — or ask, and we'll recommend one.
Email Tom for a quote