Zoe Cochlin

Editorial

Hello!
I’m a speculative fiction editor based in the Pacific Northwest. I specialize in fantasy, soft science fiction, and other speculative genres, and I'm particularly drawn to working with indie and self-publishing authors. While fiction is my primary interest, I have experience with non-fiction work and can be tempted with material related to games and gaming. I currently offer line and copy editing, and I plan to expand into developmental editing later in 2025.

Services

Line Editing

Line editing focuses on passage-level craft – rhythm, coherency, atmosphere, and tone. If your story has received plot-focused revision and its structure is solid, request line editing to hone your prose.

Copy Editing

Copy editing focuses on the mechanics of writing – grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style. If your book’s developmental and line editing are both complete, request a copy edit to catch errors that could trip your readers.

Line Editing

When the structure of your story is set and solid, your manuscript is ready for line editing to ensure powerful and effective prose.Line editing focuses on passage-level craft – the rhythm of sentences and paragraphs, the coherency of action and narration, and the tone and atmosphere of dialog and description. Through a combination of direct changes and in-line comments, a line edit will hone your writing into a more effective version of itself – while preserving your voice and intent.

Deliverables
A line edit includes:

  • An editorial letter summarizing the changes made and providing an overview of observations and recommendations

  • A style sheet (if needed) covering your manuscript’s project-specific conventions

  • Direct changes to sentences and paragraphs with a focus on rhythm, flow, atmosphere, and consistency

  • In-line comments to explain certain changes, offer additional alternatives, and/or make recommendations for more extensive rewrites

  • A one-hour post-completion follow-up consultation (or review of a follow-up document, if you prefer)

All changes will be marked using track changes mode so that you can review and approve – or reject – each one.I charge a project fee based on a review of your manuscript sample and your manuscript’s total wordcount. Contact me to request a sample edit and receive a quote.

Limitations
I will correct any errors of grammar, spelling, and punctuation that I spot along the way. However, any rewrites made on the basis of my suggestions may introduce new errors, so this should not be considered a copy edit or final proofread.My comments will touch on the coherency of action and dialogue, as well as how characters come across on the page. However, a line edit does not focus on the structural elements of plot, pacing, character dynamics, or overall worldbuilding.If your story is fresh out of drafting and you want comprehensive feedback on its structural fundamentals, I strongly recommend working with a developmental editor before you purchase line editing. I plan to begin offering developmental editing and manuscript assessments later in 2025.

Copy Editing

When your plot is set, your prose is honed, and no further rewrites are planned, your manuscript is ready for copy editing to catch lingering errors and inconsistencies that could pull readers out of your story.Copy editing focuses on the mechanics of your writing – grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style – and the clarity and coherency of paragraphs and sentences. In a copy edit, I will comb through your manuscript to find and correct typos and errors while preserving your original wording as closely as possible.

Deliverables
A copy edit includes:

  • An editorial letter covering the changes made in broad strokes

  • Direct changes to sentences and paragraphs with a focus on grammar, spelling, punctuation, and stylistic consistency

  • Limited in-line comments to explain certain changes, offer additional alternatives, and/or flag areas where your attention is needed

  • A 30-minute post-completion follow-up consultation (or review of a follow-up document, if you prefer)

All changes will be marked using track changes mode so that you can review and approve – or reject – each one.I charge a project fee based on a review of your manuscript sample and your manuscript’s total wordcount. Contact me to request a sample edit and receive a quote.

Limitations
While my comments may include some notes on the craft of a given passage, a copy edit does not focus on the artistic side of prose or the structural elements of story and characterization. If you're looking for a professional review of your writing's tone, flow, and atmosphere, consider line editing.If your story is fresh out of drafting and you want to ensure its plot and characters are at their best, I strongly recommend working with a developmental editor before you purchase other levels of editing. I plan to begin offering developmental editing and manuscript assessments later in 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you offer free samples?
Yes! Every potential editing project will begin with you sending me a sample of the manuscript. I will use this sample to determine a price quote, and I will return an edited version of it featuring direct changes and in-line comments so that you can evaluate my editing style. This editing sample should be as representative of the full edit as your manuscript sample is of your text.

Do you offer free consultations?
Also yes! In addition to communicating through email, you can schedule a free 30-minute consultation to discuss your project and my services. I conduct consultations over Microsoft Teams.

What if voice/video chat doesn't work for me?
Real-time consultations can be replaced by email communication and/or text-based questionnaires and follow-up documents. We can discuss what works best for you via email.

How do I schedule editing with you?
If you think we might be a good match, please contact me with some details about your project, what type of editing you’re interested in, and any questions or particular needs you have. I’ll get back to you shortly with info, questions, and my upcoming availability.If I think I’ll be able to take on the project, we’ll set up a sample edit, which will come back to you with a price quote and an estimated turn-around time. Once everything is settled to our mutual satisfaction, we’ll sign a contract and schedule a start date, and you’ll pay a deposit to hold the spot on my schedule.

What is your turnaround time?
This depends on the manuscript and my workload. When I have reviewed and edited your sample, I will give you an estimated turnaround time alongside your quote. The specific completion date will be determined when we schedule a start date for your project.

Do you guarantee an error-free manuscript?
No – and neither will any other experienced editor who’s being truthful with you. I aim to achieve the industry standard of 95% error correction; there is always something that slips through.Please note that I correct errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. I do not offer fact-checking as part of my editing services.

What is your payment policy?
I accept payment through PayPal in two 50% payments. The first payment functions as a deposit to hold your place on my schedule and is due when when we sign our contract. The second payment is due on project completion. I will send your deliverables after the second payment is made.Returning clients with good payment history can elect to pay in 33% installments – one due as a deposit when we sign the contract, one due on project completion prior to delivery, and one due within 15 days after delivery.

What if I need to cancel?
If you cancel the project 30 days or more before the scheduled start date, I will refund your deposit in full. If you cancel less than 30 days before the scheduled start date, your deposit will not be refunded – however, you can instead reschedule the project (once) for a later date within three months at no extra charge.

What is your AI policy?
I do not use AI tools such as Grammarly, ProWritingAid, or ChatGPT in my editing work. I also do not accept AI-generated manuscripts.

What genres do you edit?
I am primarily interested in fantasy, soft sci-fi, and superhero fiction (in no particular order) and am open to a number of sub-genres. I tend to prefer stories that emphasize themes of hope, altruism, or enemies-to-friends, and I’m partial to social intrigue and ancient mysteries, ruins, and artifacts.

Do you edit non-fiction?
While I have experience with non-fiction work, I focus on fiction these days. I can be tempted with gaming-related articles and tutorials and/or TTRPG materials.

Are there genres you won't edit?
I don’t accept erotica or high-heat romance, grimdark fiction, or horror.

Is there content you won't work with?
I avoid direct depictions of abuse (including of animals), torture, and sexual violence. As a rule, I also avoid graphic sex scenes. If your story contains such content, I recommend seeking another editor. If such content is more obliquely referred to in your story, or if you aren’t sure whether any of your content qualifies, please raise this when you make your inquiry so that we can discuss it.

Contact

To inquire about my services and availability, set up a sample edit or consultation, or ask any general questions you have, please use the contact form below. If you’re interested in editing services, please be sure to include the following information:

  • The type of editing in which you’re interested

  • Your manuscript’s title, genre, and total wordcount

  • A short plot summary

  • Any known deadlines, such as a fixed publishing date, if applicable

  • Any potential content concerns

I look forward to hearing from you!