Development Editing & Formatting Services

Tim

Life is tough as an indie author.

I know! I'm Tim, I'm an Aussie, and I've written five books. I've also provided feedback, editing and critique support for other authors I've met and trust.

How can I help you?

Development Editing

I'll discuss your goals, read your story, and provide high-level feedback on how to improve and strengthen it. I'll be real, but I'll also focus on the key points we discuss. My particular strengths are in plot (fixing plot holes is a specialty!), character arcs and pacing.

Formatting for eBook

Your manuscript is ready, you've had a development edit and sweat blood and tears to make every word perfect. You've done your line edits and you're ready for beta reads. But how do you turn it into a professional eBook? Something that not only works, but it looks great.

Development Editing

$120 per 5k words
$1,920 for 80k words
Prices in USD

Testimonial for Aftermath, Serenity Bea, aftermathbooks.com

Step One: I'll review a chapter (±2,000 words) for free. We'll see if I'm a good fit, if I can offer any help, and if you find my feedback valuable.
Step Two: I read your entire story. I believe that development editing works best with the end in mind. I need to see and understand where your story wants to go, BEFORE I provide feedback.
Step Three: I provide a written summary, with actionable points and feedback on where you can consider strengthening the story.

What I don't do: I don't provide copy editing or line editing. However, I will point out any consistent areas for improvement that I notice when reading.

This is a big picture, development edit. At the end of this process, you'll understand your story's strengths and weaknesses, and have a set of clear, actionable items for you to consider and develop.

Formatting for eBook

$120 for 80k words
Prices in USD

I'll convert your Word or Google document to a professionally presented eBook, ready to distribute to beta readers or to publish live.

Step One: You prepare your document in Google or Word to a standard format.
Step Two: I do a test conversion to make sure we're happy with how it works, and we agree on any special formatting requirements.
Step Three: I create the complete eBook, along with any front matter and back matter you provide.
Step Four: If needed, I'll help you with instructions on how to distribute the eBook to your beta readers.

Please note: If your book contains a lot of complex formatting (lots of text conversations, handwritten notes, images, etc.), then the price may vary. This is discussed and agreed upon up front.

Discounts?

Yes! There's a cross-promotional discount of 10%. You include a single page in your back matter promoting one of our novels, and we'll knock 10% off the price.

If you cross-promote one of our author websites from yours, we'll not only reciprocate, but knock 20% off the price.

Proofreading

As part of formatting, I can offer proofreading for basic items, such as missing periods, comma placements, and spelling errors. This will be done using Grammarly on a case-by-case, error-by-error basis as I format (not an automated acceptance of all suggestions). If required, we can discuss and agree on a price – it does slow down the formatting considerably.

But wait, there's more!

If you've made it this far, someone thought your writing was strong and that you're serious about your craft, which is why, along with Serenity (aka Nitewright), we're building a Discord for Indie Authors. DayNite Indie Publishing. Vetted writers, referral only, for people who are serious about their craft.

Regardless of whether you choose to use any of the services above or not, you're invited to join us there to discuss and grow your craft, learn about self-publishing and more. We share resources and collaborate to promote each other's work (we do NOT exchange reviews–Amazon frowns on that activity!)

FAQ

This is a hidden link?

Think of it as word of mouth or a referral-only network. Trust for Indie Authors is a rare commodity. There are a gazillion development editors, but you have no idea if they are any good.

Someone you know sent you this link. Someone they know sent it to them. I stand behind my work, and I'm happy to provide referrals. You don't find this site by searching. You find it because you know someone – and they trusted me enough to forward the link to you.

Why me?

It's tough to know if what you've written is good. To find people who will give you honest and actionable feedback and who understand what it takes to write a novel.

That's what I love to do. When I'm not working on my own writing, I love to help others make their story the best it can be, and I am good at what I do.

One of my novels has achieved #1 across all three categories it was listed in on Amazon, while another I edited made Top 12 in a large international writing competition.

Discord Server?

Yes. Discord is built for communities. It's a great place to chat, share information, and generally create a community around a common interest. DayNite is all about community. Small. Intimate. Trusted. People who have your back and know what it's like to be an Indie Author, not a "wannabe" writer, but someone who puts words to paper, who values feedback and growth and wants to get better at what they do.

Do you use AI?

No.

I don't hate AI, I think it has value. For some things (like grammar and finding errors), it can be a potent tool. I use Grammarly for proofreading and fixing errors on a case-by-case basis (but not for editing or writing, as it disrupts my creative flow.)

But, in general, I value my writing and creative thought processes. I know I can craft a story that's more engaging and meaningful than anything AI can produce at the moment. I want to help you do the same.

So, no to AI. You won't find any sentences like "I've rewritten the passage to align more with J. Bree's style, which features more tension, gritty undertones, and raw emotional subtext beneath the supernatural elements," in my suggestions.

Can I read your writing?

Of course!

You can find Footloose: Or how to run away to sea on Amazon here. Or, if you contact me, I'm happy to share samples of my other completed works:

Goblins & Guidebooks, a Cozy Fantasy about a Goblin who becomes a tour guide.
Desiderata, a dark urban fantasy.
Sail Away, A summer erotic romance set in Greece
Sail Away 2: Man Overboard.

How do I start?

The easiest way is to join the Discord (DayNite Indie Publishing), but if you're not sure and would rather discuss via email, then drop me a line! maisieday.writes@gmail.com and I'll be happy to chat.