For authors who haven’t published yet
Get help with your manuscript.
Still working on your book? Get the editorial support you need to strengthen your manuscript before publication, from beta reading to editing.
Your manuscript doesn’t have to be finished before you ask for help.
Whether you need a beta reader, editorial feedback or professional editing, we’ll help you identify what your manuscript needs and the best way to move it forward.
You don’t need to know exactly which service is right. Most writers don’t, and the difference between the kinds of editorial help isn’t always obvious. Tell us where you are and what’s worrying you, and we’ll help you work out the right next step.
A stronger manuscript is also the first step towards readers. The work we do before publication makes everything after it easier.
The right support, in the right order.
Editorial help works best in sequence: big questions first, fine detail last. Here’s what each kind of support does, and when it’s most useful.
Beta Reading
An engaged reader’s honest response to your manuscript: where it holds attention, where it loses it, what’s confusing and what stays with them afterwards.
Most useful whenYou have a complete draft and want to know how it lands with a reader before you revise.
Manuscript Feedback
A focused assessment of your draft’s strengths and the changes that would make the biggest difference, so your next revision has a clear direction.
Most useful whenYou feel something isn’t working but can’t yet say what, or you want a professional view before investing in a full edit.
Developmental and Structural Editing
Big-picture editing of structure, pacing, character, argument and shape, so the book’s foundations are sound before any polishing begins.
Most useful whenThe story or argument isn’t holding together, or a revision has left the shape unclear.
Line Editing
Sentence-level work on voice, rhythm, clarity and flow, keeping the prose recognisably yours while making every paragraph work harder.
Most useful whenThe structure is right, but the writing needs to be tighter, clearer or more consistent in voice.
Copy Editing
Careful correction of grammar, punctuation, consistency and usage, preparing the manuscript for publication.
Most useful whenThe book is nearly ready and needs a final, meticulous pass.
General Editorial Guidance
Not sure what you need? We’ll talk through where the manuscript is, what you want from it and the order of help that makes sense, including what can wait.
Most useful whenYou’re at any stage and would like a clear plan before choosing a service.
Not sure what your manuscript needs?
Start with the sentence that sounds most like you. If none of them do, that’s fine too.
- “My draft is finished, but I don’t know if it works.”Beta reading or manuscript feedback
- “The story or argument isn’t holding together.”Developmental and structural editing
- “The structure feels right, but the prose needs work.”Line editing
- “It’s nearly ready and needs a careful final pass.”Copy editing
- “I’m not sure what I need.”General editorial guidance
A conversation comes first.
There’s no need to send your manuscript to start. We begin by understanding the book and what you want from it.
- 01
Tell us what you need
Choose the kind of help you think you need, or tell us you’re not sure. Either is a good place to start.
- 02
We talk it through
We ask about the manuscript, where it’s at and what you’d like it to become.
- 03
Share the manuscript when you’re ready
If reading a sample or the full draft would help, we’ll tell you how to send it. Nothing is uploaded through this website.
- 04
The right support, in the right order
We recommend what your manuscript needs now, what can wait, and how each step moves the book closer to publication.
What working with Kendra is actually like.
Comments from authors whose manuscripts Kendra has edited.
Upbeat, enthusiastic and thorough are three adjectives that come to mind when I think of my experience with Kendra. My children’s picture book had already been through multiple copy editors by the time it got to Kendra, but she still found a way to improve on a lot of small details.
We cannot recommend Kendra highly enough. From the very first interaction all the way to the end of the project months later, she was extremely thorough, knowledgeable, diligent, patient, and friendly.
It was a pleasure working with Kendra. She was very professional and efficient. She was invested in the project and provided me with valuable feedback. I hope to work with Kendra in the near future.
Tell us about your manuscript.
One last step
Almost there. Press send in your email app.
Your email app should have opened with your details filled in, addressed to authorgrowth.site@gmail.com. Press send there and your request reaches us, and you can attach the manuscript to that same email if you’d like to. If nothing opened, email us at authorgrowth.site@gmail.com.
And when the manuscript is ready?
The next question is how readers will find it. The same thinking continues into positioning, launch and reader growth, so the book arrives ready to be discovered.
Questions about manuscript help
My manuscript isn’t finished. Can I still ask for help?
Yes. Your manuscript doesn’t have to be finished before you ask for help. Guidance early on can save a great deal of rewriting later.
I don’t know which service I need.
That’s completely normal. Choose “I’m not sure what I need” on the form and we’ll help you work it out.
Do I need to send my manuscript straight away?
No. We start with a conversation. If reading the manuscript would help, we’ll tell you how to send it.
What’s the difference between developmental editing, line editing and copy editing?
Developmental editing looks at the big picture: structure, pacing, character and argument. Line editing works sentence by sentence on voice, clarity and flow. Copy editing is the final careful pass for grammar, punctuation and consistency. Most manuscripts benefit from them in that order.