↳ Sharp, not flat
Editing that sharpens your voice, not ours
Developmental, line, and copy editing in separate passes, so you can see exactly what changed and why.
Developmental Editing
Big-picture structural work. Pacing, plot holes, character arcs, and thematic consistency.
Line Editing
Sentence-level flow and rhythm. Trimming the fat and enhancing your unique voice.
Copyediting
Grammar, syntax, consistency, and adherence to house style (typically Chicago Manual of Style).
Editing is not about changing your book into something else; it is about making it the best possible version of what you intended.
Hiba, Lead EditorA good editor is invisible. The reader should never know we were there.
The three passes
Many freelancers bundle line editing and copyediting together, which often leads to errors slipping through. We treat them as distinct processes.
- Developmental: We look at the skeleton. Does the narrative hold up?
- Line: We look at the muscle. Does the prose move well?
- Copy: We look at the skin. Are there any blemishes?
You remain in control throughout. We use Track Changes in Microsoft Word, allowing you to see every suggestion and ultimately decide what makes it into the final book.
↳ Process
How it works
Sample edit and quote
We review a sample of your work to assess the level of editing needed and provide a fixed quote.
Developmental pass
You receive an editorial letter and a marked-up manuscript addressing structural elements.
Line and copy pass
After you revise, we do a detailed line edit, followed by a final copyedit for polish.
Final review
You review all tracked changes and accept or reject as you see fit.
↳ Deliverables
What's included
- Detailed editorial letter
- Manuscript with Track Changes and margin notes
- Custom style sheet for your book
- Clean, finalized manuscript file
↳ In their words
What authors said
“I had been sitting on my manuscript for two years, afraid to send it anywhere. Beacon Light walked me through every step — the edit sharpened the voice without flattening it, and the cover they designed still stops people mid-scroll.”
Sarah Kinsley
Historical fiction author
“The developmental edit was the turning point. They identified the structural problem I had been unable to see for a year and showed me how to fix it without losing the thread. Best money I spent on the book.”
Elena Torres
Literary fiction author
↳ Questions
Frequently asked
Do you use AI to edit?
No. Every word is read and edited by a human editor. We believe voice is inherently human.
Can I hire you just for proofreading?
Yes. If your manuscript has already been professionally edited and just needs a final polish, we offer standalone proofreading.
↳ Packages
Ready to start?
Professional Edit
For manuscripts needing developmental attention and a full edit pass