Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of edit do I need?
A developmental edit works on the big picture elements of your book, the macro level—do you have questions about how certain characters or plot points are working? The developmental edit is for you.
A line edit works on the sentence level, the micro level—do you feel like your dialogue and transitions could use some polishing? Is your manuscript functioning as a whole but you feel like you can see all the labor you put in? You’re in need of a line edit to make your prose move more fluid and sound more melodic. I’ll help you cover your tracks and make your work look effortless. Note: Currently we are scaling back the number of line edit-only clients we take on. We take the work of a line edit very seriously. While many editors offer line edit without doing developmental edit on a manuscript first, at this time we are assessing whether it feels ethical to polish something that we often see needs structural work beyond the scope of the line edit. That being said, we are taking on a select few so do not hesitate to inquire.
Are you looking for a holistic edit that comprises developmental edits, line edits, and close one-on-one work? Is this book a commitment you are willing to make energetically, consistently, and financially? The Full Moon Package is for you.
Explore our services to find your best match!
DO YOU ONLY WORK WITH UN-AGENTED AUTHORS?
No! We regularly work with authors who have literary agents (and/or book deals with publishers) who come to us through their agent or in-house editor. We have worked with authors on books post-acquisition at Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, and Wiley and often work with agents to help their clients deliver quality material to their publishers or to get their projects submission-ready. If you are a literary agent or in-house editor who would like to inquire about working together, please fill out our query form.
How soon can you start?
For Dark Moon coaching sessions, we typically start two weeks after our initial intake call. For developmental edits, we accept new bookings on a rolling basis and tend to book out 2-3 months in advance, so please plan ahead. We live in a society in which we have grown accustomed to getting exactly what we want, exactly when we want it. But you took the time to work on your book, and it will serve you well to start thinking about making a time commitment to the revision process. Of course, there are times when slots open up and exceptions can be made. If you need an editor ASAP, we may be able to work with you on a timeline so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
How should i format my manuscript?
We accept manuscripts saved as Microsoft Word .doc and .docx files since we edit using Track Changes. Please format your manuscript in Times New Roman 12-point font, double-spaced. We cannot work in GoogleDocs, .txt, or .rtf.
Do you offer packages?
Yes! View our services!
What is your stance on AI?
New Moon Editorial acknowledges the power and ubiquity of LLM AI and Agentic AI. We do not use any AI in our work with clients, and we ask that our clients limit their usage to matters of grammar, spelling, and research, keeping in mind that research performed by AI is often flawed. We do not support the use of AI for brainstorming or editorial assessment or input of any kind. We do not consent to clients entering our editorial feedback into any AI platforms. Violation of this policy will result in cancellation without a refund.
Apart from the hugely damaging impact of AI on the environment and economy, AI usage, especially generative AI usage, leads to loss of authentic authorial voice (especially in terms of nuance, tone, and context), widespread errors, and ethical concerns. Many agents and publishers require disclosure of such use and the editorial uses of AI and prohibit it in creative work. AI usage is typically frowned upon by agents and editors, and any undisclosed usage is bound to jeopardize hard-won relationships.
Finally, the use of AI introduces potential legal liabilities as well. Although copyright laws are still in flux, AI-generated material may not be deemed “original” to you and is not copyrightable. For more information, see the Authors’ Guild’s best practices.
Do you offer copyediting and proofreading?
Not at this time—but we know some of the best copyeditors and proofreaders in the business! Let us know if you’d like a referral.
I notice you don’t have a pricing page—how much will an edit cost?
Editorial costs vary by project type/scope/genre and word count is a factor as well. Don’t be afraid to reach out—we value your story and we work within a range of prices when we can.
Do you offer sliding scale?
Yes! New Moon Editorial is deeply committed to doing our part to make the editorial process accessible to everyone. We do offer sliding scale.
Do you offer diversity reads?
That is a service we would love to offer in the future as we expand—in the meantime, we can offer some wonderful referrals.
When will I hear from you?
Our typical initial response time is 2-3 business days, so if you have an urgent booking request please put URGENT in your query subject line. Our inbox is closed on weekends, US national holidays, the last week of August and of December, and the first week in January.