Editing services

“Cheryl has been an absolute pleasure to work with. Her feedback is so insightful that by the time I’ve implemented her suggestions, I feel my books have improved tenfold. She provides detailed notes so every editing decision and suggestion is clearly explained, and somehow manages to spot issues that I missed during multiple rounds of self-editing. I can’t imagine releasing a book again without Cheryl’s eagle eyes having gone over it first. I highly recommend her services and can’t praise her highly enough!” L.K. Wilde Author of the Saffron Bay series

Choosing an editor is a big decision

You’ve written your book. You’ve read it at least 300 times. You’ve had other eyes on it – friends, fellow writers, family. You’ve rewritten whole chunks, reordered scenes, kicked out characters who turned out not to have a role to play. You believe you have a manuscript that’s nearly ready either to be launched on the market or submitted to agents. Now you want your writing to be as polished as possible.

And for that you need to trust your hard work to an editor.

What kind of editor do you need?

If you’re at the stage described above, a line editor (sometimes called a copy editor) is the answer. And that’s what I offer.

A line editor’s job is to work at the level of paragraphs, sentences and words to improve the clarity, flow and readability of a manuscript without losing the author’s unique voice and style. In my case and despite all your hard work as described above, I will also note any inconsistencies I see in plot development (chronology of events, for example) and other issues which might negatively affect the reader’s experience. After all, having readers say they can’t put the book down is the overall aim.

What line editing does not include is fact checking (although I will highlight suspected anomalies), or proofreading (although I will highlight consistent incorrect punctuation and grammar).

What are my credentials?

Experience

I’ve been editing books in a range of genres and writing styles for several years, and the feedback is always extremely positive.

“Cheryl is a skilled editor and story analyst who knows what a work needs in order to become a compelling best seller. I love how she taps into each author’s writing style and genre, not trying to change a writer’s voice but only improving the content and flow. She notices details I so easily miss, and I wouldn’t consider my book complete until she’s had a run through it. She’s the talented, expert set of eyes every writer needs.” Lori Peckham, university writing professor and author.

“Cheryl’s help was invaluable while editing my second novel. She went through each chapter, highlighting grammar errors and making useful comments and suggestions regarding the plot, consistency in POV, and the need for more action beats to break up the dialogue. She also cheered me on when inadequacy and poor self-esteem tempted me to give up. She maintained a careful balance between honest critique and encouragement. I felt appreciated and supported, but was also challenged not to settle for mediocrity, and am convinced my book has benefited as a result of her coaching.” Alex Banfield, author of Releasing Janet, shortlisted for the 2026 Christian Resources Together awards.

A dedication to learning writing craft

I’m a keen student, which is why I have a popular blog dedicated to writing tips.

“Cheryl has an exceptional knowledge of writing craft. Her award-winning stories speak to her writing prowess. She offers an efficient, friendly service and is a pleasure to deal with.” Lily Lawson, children’s author, short story writer and poet.

My own body of work

Several of my short stories and two of my novels have won awards and my novels have been bestsellers and top new releases on Amazon. Readers consistently praise the quality of my writing, my ability to set a scene and to build relatable characters whom they care about. You can check out my books here or on my Amazon author page.

What genres do I work with?

I accept most fiction genres. Without judgement and purely as a personal preference, I do not accept erotica, horror, kids’ picture books, or poetry. Cosy mysteries, women’s fiction, romance, contemporary fiction, Christian fiction, historical fiction, thrillers, fantasy and historical fantasy are all welcome. Middle grade and YA novels, including fantasy, are also accepted. I am comfortable working in both US and British English spelling, having worked with clients from both sides of the pond.

What you will receive

* A marked-up manuscript using MS Word’s editing function.
* An edit letter with general comments on areas where a specific focus could deliver a better reading experience, with concrete suggestions.
* Encouragement! My aim is to give you a clear, focused approach to tackling the next stage of your novel or story’s development, together with an eagerness to do so.
* For full MS assessment, a 45-minute follow-up Zoom call if requested.

How long does it take?

Turnaround time will be agreed at the time of engagement, but is normally about four weeks for a short story or up to 5,000 words of your novel, and up to six weeks for a longer manuscript.

How much will it cost?

Editing is a significant investment. To make sure we’re compatible, your first chapter is free. If you decide you don’t like what I’ve done, or if I believe your manuscript isn’t ready yet for line editing, there’s no further obligation. If you proceed, the first chapter is counted towards the first 5,000 words.

Workshops and author talks

I am available within a reasonable radius of where I live in the Forest of Dean, UK, for workshops on writing topics and author talks, and on Zoom if that works for you. In the past, I have run workshops for Gloucestershire Libraries, for local secondary school students and their teachers, for children aged 10-12, and for local charities.

Rates for both workshops and talks depend on the organisation, length and topic. Out-of-pocket expenses are charged at cost.

To get in touch about editing services, workshops or talks, email me at cheryl@cherylburman.com.
(Please put ‘editing query’ in the subject line.)
Looking forward to working with you.