✨ Mel C. || book editor ✨
let's level up your story a notch (or two)!
Hi, I'm Mel! When I'm not editing, I'm reading romance novels, playing video games, and thinking of getting a cat named Dante (I love DMC).I bring new perspectives into the romance genre from my knowledge of horror, sci-fi, satire, transgressive genres, and beyond! I've worked with 20+ books with authors all around the world to make their stories bold, intentional, and unapologetically theirs!
Feel free to check out my CV or socials below! I'm also available to chat on Discord (@melonnolrem).
THE EDITING PROCESS
Not sure which service you need? Here's a quick summary of the process!
*image above is edited by me to show the breath of an editorial assessment.1) editorial assessment
see the big picture
understand what your story is doing well and where it needs work before any editing begins.
2) developmental editing
shape the story
scene-by-scene feedback on plot, character, structure, and narrative logic.
3) line editing
sharpen the prose
sentence-level work on flow, voice, style, and clarity.
4) copyediting
make it error-free
ensuring factual accuracy, grammar, spelling, and readability.
(not included in my services, but there are great copyeditors out there!)
5) proofreading
the final polish before publishing
catching errors, inconsistencies, and formatting issues in your formatted manuscript.
the all-in bundle takes you through all four stages → the most complete path from draft to publish-ready. 📚
SERVICES
Not sure where to start? Check out my editing process page to see how a manuscript typically moves through the editing process and where I come in.
editorial assessment
0.0025 USD per word
includes: a detailed document with broad, insightful feedback on your draft's strengths and potential areas of revision. This does not include any edits to your manuscript.focuses on: plot, characterization, structure, style, genre, vision, and market.best for: authors who sense something isn't working but struggle to identify it and fix or who want a clear picture of the quality of their manuscript before investing in deeper editing.
* this is the best starting point if you haven't worked with an editor before.
developmental editing
0.0065 USD per word
includes: in-text suggestions in your manuscript and an editorial letter. Calls out passages to omit, add, move, dialogue, and points of confusion to tweak.focuses on: narrative shape, plot holes, dialogue, scene-to-scene momentum.best for: authors who worked with beta readers or had an editorial assessment and are ready for deep, structured feedback on how effective each scene is.
line editing
0.0045 USD per word
includes: in-text suggestions and markups in your manuscript with light copyediting. Will provide a style sheet if you don't have one.focuses on: flow, sentence rhythm, voice, sharpening prose, word choice, POV consistency, and repetition.best for: authors whose story feels solid but the wording is clunky or confusing.
proofreading
0.0015 USD per word
includes: in-text markups for technical errors within your manuscript with light copyediting. Will provide a style sheet if you don't have one.focuses on: font, grammar, spelling, punctuation, consistency, and quality checking on your formatted, near-final manuscript.best for: authors at the finish line who want to catch final errors before publishing.
BUNDLES
💖 all-in bundle (EA + Dev + Line + Proof)
0.014 USD per word
the complete editorial journey from the first look to its final form.best for: authors who want to give their manuscript the strongest quality and care.
highly recommended for any author. ✨
WIP bundle (Dev + Line + Proof)
0.011 USD per word
best for: authors who've completed an editorial assessment and are ready to move to the deeper stages of editing. please ensure you've done an editorial assessment, heavy self-editing, or heavy beta-reading.
substantiative bundle (Dev + Line)
0.0105 USD per word
best for: authors who want deep structural and prose feedback without proofreading, or already have a proofreader/formatter. please ensure you've done an editorial assessment, heavy self-editing, or heavy beta-reading.
*The total will be charged to the nearest hundredth. For example, if the unrounded total adds up to 20.345 USD, I will charge 20.35 USD.**Minimum charge is 1 USD.***To cover transactional costs, a 3% increase will be included in payments.✨Feel free to request a free sample edit of 2k words for line editing and/or proofreading.‼️I refuse work from manuscripts written and/or edited with AI.
‼️I am able to work with dead dove content, but will not work on manuscripts that romanticise pedophilia, necrophilia, bestiality, cruelty to animals, sexual abuse, or intimate partner abuse.If you wish to work with me and are unsure if your work contains the romanticization of said themes, please contact me.
FAQ
How does this work?
We will discuss the project: the type(s) of editing, focus points, the timeframe, and other relevant information. I will request a sample of the manuscript to determine if it's a good fit for my editing style or to examine the quality of the manuscript.
If so, I will sign off a contract and I will receive a non-refundable 25% deposit.I will receive a copy of the manuscript as a Google document and make markups and comments as I edit. If I am line editing and/or proofreading, I will also provide you with a style guide if you don't have one. I will inform you of any progress milestones I accomplish in your project. At the end of the editing process, I will then send an invoice to complete the rest of the payment. After payment, I will send over your document with something like _DEV or _LINE at the end of the document name, with the associated editing type in its name in addition to any other files, such as the style guide.This is where you can review the changes and suggestions I've made.If you have hired me for more than one type of editing, you will send me your version of the reviewed document so I can continue the editing process. This process will reoccur until the completion of all my hired services.
How do I pay for your services?
For international and domestic (Australian-based) clients, I will offer payment through bank transfer or PayPal.
Am I required to credit you in my book?
No, it will be entirely up to you. However, I would be delighted if you did. If you choose to, I ask that your credit line mention my name.
OPENINGS
I'm currently open to taking commissions for 2026 and 2027. You can view available slots through this Miro Board.