Here are brief descriptions of what is involved during each type of editing:
Developmental Editing
A holistic, "big picture" look of the game. Involves working closely with the designer to improve quality, cohesion, and mechanics. Occasionally involves playtesting the game together.
Best for games with early first drafts.
Focuses on:
Tone and themes
Game mechanics
Arrangement of sections
Plot, setting, and characters (if applicable)
Typical rate: $0.04 per word
Line & Copy Editing
A deep dive into clarity and consistency. Involves making sure the game has good flow and is easy to understand.
Best for games with a completed manuscript, but not yet in layout (i.e. in Google Docs or a word processor).
Focuses on:
Clarity of language
Flow and cohesiveness
Word choice
Sentence structure
Consistency in terminology, capitalization, etc.
Typical rate: $0.06 per word
Proofreading
A final pass to check for remaining errors. Involves pointing out typos and remaining inconsistencies.
Best for games with a completed manuscript that are in layout.
Focuses on:
Grammatical errors
Spelling & punctuation
Consistency with layout
Typical rate: $0.02 per word
Contact
If you're interested in hiring Sam for editing, please email [email protected] with the following information:
1. The type of editing service(s)
2. The estimated word count
3. The project timeline
4. A brief description of your project, or pieces of the manuscript
Preference is given towards games with fewer than 10k words.
Due to a full editing schedule, if the original timeline of the game's production is delayed, it may take longer than estimated to edit the game due to other editing commitments.
Testimonials
Sam is thoughtful, diligent, and intensely adept. They punched up all our ideas, cheered us on every step of the way, and always carefully preserved our intent. Their ability to simultaneously think from the perspective of a player, a GM, and a designer left an indelible imprint on our game. Hiring Sam is a no-brainer.
J Strautman & B Marsollier, A Fool’s Errand
Sam is unfailingly friendly, timely, efficient, and effective. Their eye for what works and what doesn't is sharp, and their conversation and communication skills make wading through the emotionally thorny fields of developmental editing feel easy and smooth. Whether you're just starting out or you've been publishing for a while, Sam's a pleasure to work with and brings in great results.
Quinn Morris, Dragon Reactor
Sam is an exceptional editor. She has an incredible talent for understanding your vision and helping you tighten, clarify, and polish your text. Every edit session left me feeling more confident and excited about my game. I highly recommend working with Sam!
Nick Gralewicz, A Perfect Rock