FAQs

First of all, what is included in “crime fiction”? And do I edit other genres?

Admittedly crime fiction can cover a broad range of subgenres but essentially I work with authors of detective novels, murder mysteries, and psychological thrillers. I’m not a lover of huge amounts of gore, so if your work of fiction falls more into the subgenre of horror, then I’m probably not the editor for you. But I welcome anything else under the crime fiction umbrella.

As for other genres, while I specialize in crime fiction, I’m open to working with authors of many different styles. Send me an email and tell me a bit about your book and the genre and I’ll let you know if I think we’d be a good fit.

Do readers nowadays really care about little things like spelling mistakes?

Your readers want to trust you. When they pick up your book they have blind faith that you, as a published writer, know what you’re doing. They see the proof of it in the form of your characters, your plot, your pacing, all that “creative writing stuff”.

But proof also comes with proper grammar and spelling. They’re the “packaging” that the story comes in, like the wrapping on a shelved product at a store. It’s hard to believe there’s something of high quality underneath shoddy-looking packaging.

When readers see errors, they begin to question your ability to lead them on the journey through your story and they question the value of the story itself.

Readers still want to read great stories that are well-written.

And how will I help you make sure your great story is well-written? And will it still sound like your writing when I’m done with it?

It’s natural to be fearful that an editor will completely strip your voice from the page but a good editing job will do quite the opposite. Rest assured, it is my honour and privilege to understand what you aim to accomplish with your book and work with you to make your voice ring out.

Head over to my Services page to see exactly how I help you do that.