buff1 verb: 1 to polish (something).
adjective: 1 (of a person or their body) in good physical shape with well-developed muscles.
EDITING
What would we do?
Usually drink, usually dance, usually bubble — Wiley, UK
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Different strokes for different folk? Different forms of editing for your literary needs. But which one?
Although writing is often a solo activity, the best books are products of collaboration — and a professional book editor is a crucial partner to have on your team, one with the knowledge, talent, and skills to transform your manuscript from a draft to a finished book.
From a developmental edit containing advice on story and structure to copy editing and proofreading to hone the mechanics of your work, an editor holds the keys vital to your book’s success. With 20+ years of experience working with standard and indie publishers, you can hear our rings jangling. We specialize in fantasy and science fiction. We also provide guidance and art direction on your book covers, having long-standing relationships with talented and professional graphic designers around the world.
People define the various types of editing differently, so here’s what we mean when we talk about the different forms:
DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING
Developmental editing, also called content or substantive editing, is detailed feedback on every part of your story. Think: Analysis. This is where we will refine your ideas, shape your narrative, and help you fix any major plot or character inconsistencies. Basically, we will look at just about every element of your story and tell you what works and what doesn’t, developing your book or your idea from bare concept or first draft. This is typically the first step in the editing process, where all elements are scrutinized to give you the best foundation upon which your story can grow, root strong. Characterization questions such as “Why are the characters behaving as they do? What are their motivations? Do these scenes add to the overall story? An analysis of your underlying theme(s) and how this changes, so that your concept is clarified from the get-go and your plot goes hand in hand. The developmental edit contains two pieces: an editorial report and an annotated manuscript. 1. The editorial report is a general critique of everything your developmental editor thinks you should change, along with commentary on what’s functioning well and should stay in your work. 2. The annotated manuscript is a marked-up version of the manuscript itself, with specific suggestions on how you can fix each issue. Think of the annotated manuscript as the editor’s raw feedback and the editorial report as a summary of that feedback.
EDITORIAL ASSESSMENT
If your manuscript isn't quite ready yet for a developmental edit, but you still want to get some feedback on it, an editorial assessment would be a good port of call. This is an extremely valuable first overview of your manuscript by a professional editor. At TFB, we will read through the entire manuscript and provide thoughtful, in-depth feedback concerning elements such as plot, characterization, structure, consistency and style. Feedback from an editorial assessment can lead to significant changes to your manuscript. It identifies your work's strengths and weaknesses and helps you devise a revision strategy that dramatically improves the execution of your idea. When would I need this? An editorial assessment can be useful at several stages in the writing process. Some writers may seek this deep-level feedback once the first draft is completed. Others might solicit an assessment after the manuscript has been through several rounds of beta reading or even professional editing; an assessment provides the kind of careful reading that leads to better theming, nuance, characterization and structure. An editorial assessment can also help you determine if your work is ready for query. The assessment, especially when paired with a query letter review, can help bring needed polish to your querying package before you start contacting agents. Some manuscripts aren’t ready for the line-level involvement of developmental editing. If big pieces of your manuscript are apt to change — if there are major plot points that need to be addressed, or if there are a few darlings to kill off — an assessment is a better choice (and usually a cheaper one). Seek an editorial assessment ahead of other editing if you want to understand the structural strengths and weaknesses in your manuscript. If you address those, working with an editor on a developmental edit or copy edit afterwards should be much cheaper. Sometimes you just NEED HELP! If your manuscript is messy or you are not sure which direction to take, or if it's any good at all, and you need a professional second opinion. An editorial assessment is an in-depth analysis of your manuscript from someone who’s made a serious study of the art of writing and storytelling, and can understand not only what your story is in its current form, but what it aspires to be—what it can become. It is essentially a tough-love letter from editor to author. TFB editorial assessments are never rude, snarky, sarcastic or dismissive — instead, their aim is to lay bare the problems in your manuscript, whatever they may be. The thoughtfulness, creativity, and careful attention we bring to your manuscript is its own kind of love — sometimes harsh, but always constructive. We will supply you with an in-depth, single-spaced report and can follow up with a post-critique conference with you, where we go through all the feedback, brainstorm revisions and address questions and any concerns with you. Manuscript Assessment/Evaluation rates are like these: Per word: 1.5–1.5¢ Per hour: $40.00–54.00 Pages per hour: 11.0–17.0 Flat fee: $850
COPY EDITING
A copy edit is the minute examination of the mechanics of your writing. It helps create the most readable version of your work, improving clarity, coherency, consistency, and correctness. The goal is to bridge any remaining gaps between the author's intent and the reader's understanding. A copy edit makes sure your manuscript is not riddled with bad grammar, spelling mistakes or glaring inconsistencies. It will break up your fifty-word sentences into smaller ones that readers won't skim, and catch scenes where your antagonist is wearing sunglasses and spectacles at the same time. It will save your tone and style from unintentionally wild shifts between sections and will pull your manuscript together page by page. Our copy edits examine and correct the following elements in your work: Word usage and repetition Dialogue tags Usage of numbers or numerals POV/tense (to fix any unintentional shifts) Descriptive inconsistencies (character descriptions, locations, blocking, etc.) Logic, so that the reader is able to follow the story without distraction Readability, so that your readers stay on the page and immerse themselves in your prose.
PROOFREADING
Proofreading is the final step in the editing process. It’s the ultimate polish on your final files before they go to the printer or digital press. Ensuring that a manuscript is free from tiny spelling and punctuation errors is critical. Many authors even hire more than one proofreader, double-checking that absolutely no mistakes get through. Proofreading requires a keen eye for detail and a systematic method for spotting every subtle error and typographical mistake. Copy editing and proofreading may also be combined at a discount rate. Review: The text is checked for grammar, style, syntax and word repetitions. For a 12-15 page document, we calculate about 3-4 hours work. Short case reports can be finished in 2 hours. ​ Detailed review: In addition to a standard review, this contains the study of the literature and the adaptation of the work in the context of which it will be published. Time requirement for a 12-15 page document is about 4 to 5 hours. In the shell of a nut, this means that if your text is poorly written, contains many errors, needs to be re-written or is not understandable, the correction will take longer. If your text needs only moderate correction, the correction will take less time.
TIME
How long depends on two things: What level of editing is being done AND the state of the manuscript.
We will first ask to see a sample or the entire manuscript to help us better understand the overall state of your work and what we can do to help you. As a rough guideline, copy-editing a full-length novel (about 80,000 words) in good shape can normally take anywhere from 4-6 weeks. We'll go through with you what needs to be done, how long it will take, and what it will cost. We price and work according to the individual project and our rates reflect those of the EFA (Editorial Freelancers Association).
Saying you love us? Ach...so much more than words ... read some of our testimonials!
FEES & CONTACT
If you are a writer, publisher or agent and would like to use TFB services, please contact me for a quote or further information at:
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BUFF it!
© 2025 The Film Buffs CONTACT:
+ 43 6991 760 7262 ronnie@thefilmbuffs.com
+ 43 6991 810 8570 agatha@thefilmbuffs.com
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