What is developmental editing?

Developmental editing is a big-picture review of your manuscript that examines structure, pacing, narrative arc, themes, and clarity of purpose. It is ideal for authors preparing a memoir, personal essay collection, or nonfiction manuscript who want guidance in shaping their story into a cohesive and compelling narrative. Developmental editing can occur at any stage, but the earlier it happens, the more it can support the growth of your story.

I love developmental editing because it allows me to help writers tell truths that cannot be captured in just a few sentences. As a Khmer American who has processed both intergenerational trauma and healing through storytelling, I bring empathy, nuance, and cultural awareness to every manuscript. I understand the importance of centering your lived experience and guiding your story so it unfolds clearly and powerfully while keeping your voice at the center.

While I am your editor, authenticity is our North Star. I analyze your manuscript to identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities for improvement in structure, pacing, and storytelling. I help clarify your narrative arc, deepen reflective moments, and ensure each section contributes to the overall story. After developmental editing, your manuscript feels cohesive, purposeful, and ready to connect with readers in a meaningful way.

What is line editing?

Line editing focuses on sentence- and paragraph-level refinement to improve the flow, rhythm, clarity, and tone of your writing. It is ideal for authors who already have a solid draft—memoirs, personal essays, or nonfiction—who want their story to feel cohesive, engaging, and expressive. Unlike copyediting, which primarily corrects mechanical errors, line editing enhances how your story reads and feels for your audience.

As a Khmer American writer and editor, I am attuned to nuance, rhythm, and meaning in ways that go beyond conventional grammar rules. I approach line editing as more than sentence-level refinement. My goal is to amplify your voice and ensure both your writing and intentions are clear. During the process, I refine word choice, smooth transitions, adjust sentence structure, and strengthen pacing so every paragraph communicates your ideas effectively. After line editing, it flows naturally, holds the reader’s attention, and conveys your voice and emotion with impact, making the narrative compelling and enjoyable to read. With my guidance, your story becomes alive, expressive, and unmistakably yours.

What is copyediting?

Copyediting is a detailed review that improves grammar, punctuation, spelling, word usage, and consistency. It is ideal for manuscripts, memoirs, personal essays, or nonfiction pieces that are already structurally complete. At this stage, your work just needs a professional review to ensure it reads clearly, consistently, and stays true to your voice, style, and structure. Copyediting helps your writing feel clean and confident while keeping the focus on your story.

I focus on refining the technical aspects of your manuscript while keeping your voice intact. I carefully review grammar, punctuation, spelling, word choice, and consistency so your writing reads smoothly and professionally (and adheres to a house style guide if provided). At the same time, I prioritize meaning over rigid rules and may embrace unorthodox choices when they enhance style or clarity. My experience with deeply personal and culturally rich stories ensures that your narrative remains authentic even as I polish the mechanics. The result is a manuscript that is confident, free of distractions, and ready for readers or publication.

Why are these services bundled?

If developmental editing is composing the song, shaping its structure and harmony, line editing is refining the melody so it flows and sings, and copyediting is tuning each note to keep it clear, precise, and error-free. Bundling all three ensures your story not only resonates beautifully but is polished and reader-ready.

If you purchase individual services and later decide to add more for the same manuscript (for example, developmental editing followed by line and copyediting), I will adjust the total cost so you pay no more than the bundled rate. You will receive a new invoice with a clear breakdown of the updated cost. You can find my editorial rates here.