hi!
I'M LYNDSEY
I'm the founder of The Editing Forge, a multi-faceted company working to elevate genre fiction. No matter whether you plan to self-publish, hope to be picked up by an indie press, or dream of being traditionally published, you've come to the right place!
I began in 2020 as one freelance editor looking to make a difference for the horror genre. Since then, I've opened the doors to all genres. And though I've added multiple divisions, services, and products to meet the needs of the writing community, at the heart of The Editing Forge, I'm still that one editor simply trying to help authors achieve their dreams.
Let's ignite your fiction!
Publishing your novel is hard. Working with an editor shouldn't be. But it also shouldn't only be about finding and fixing errors in your manuscript. Anyone can do that.
What sets me apart is my goal to become an integral part of your team and the foundation upon which you build a successful author career. If you're looking for a service that will help elevate your style, identify and enhance your voice, bring your characters to life, challenge your perspective and hone your craft, then The Editing Forge is the only editor for you.
In my opinion, if I do my job correctly, the authors who have worked with me before return with cleaner copy and more fully developed storylines with each consecutive project. It's my job to work harder so you need me less. This helps reduce your future costs and makes your publishing process more streamlined.
Interested in working with me? View my services below or choose the Custom Inquiry menu option.
my vision, my goal, my promise to you
before we go on...
A professional-level editing resource for the career-focused author. No matter your publishing goals, How to Self-Edit Your Novel will help you improve your writing and your reader impressions, with a foreword by author John Palisano, former president of the Horror Writers Association.
HAVE YOU ORDERED YOUR COPY?
TRY NOT TO DIE: AT MEADOW SPIRE MALL
P.W. FEUTZ
"My thanks is also due to Lyndsey Smith for your editorial wisdom. You’ve elevated this simple tale of frenemies and foes into the polished story that it is now. The final version of this novel bites harder, roars louder, and lurks more unnervingly in the shadows thanks to your meticulous work."
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Tier of Editing: Line and Copy Editing, Proofreading
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GRAB OUR
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THE BEST
FOR YOUR STORY
team
BACHELOR'S DEGREE WITH HONORS
English and creative writing
BACHELOR'S DEGREE WITH HONORS
Forensic psychology
MASTER'S DEGREE
English and creative writing
EDITING CERTIFICATION
Copyediting, Writer's Digest
ALMOST FIVE YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY
Both Traditional and Self-Pub
Editing is not a one-size-fits-all commodity. It's meant to be tailored to the author's and the manuscript's specific needs. The Editing Forge strives to meet those expectations with easy-to-understand packages for both new writers and established authors. These services are for those wishing to self-publish or are looking to have their manuscript polished prior to submission to a publishing house.
Check out the "Full Editing Services" button for detailed descriptions of the professional editing services The Editing Forge has to offer. ​
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your editing project
popular editing services
Developmental Editing
what's included?
INVESTMENT: $0.038 PER WORD
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full manuscript evaluation (often 40-60 pages)
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book map
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customized style sheet for your manuscript
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developmental editing comments throughout
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round of line and copy edits with tracked changes
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final round of proofreading once all edits have been incorporated
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blurb or query assistance
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access to members-only resource areas
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Developmental Editing
what's included?
INVESTMENT: $0.038 PER WORD
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full manuscript evaluation (often 40-60 pages)
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book map
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customized style sheet for your manuscript
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developmental editing comments throughout
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round of line and copy edits with tracked changes
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final round of proofreading once all edits have been incorporated
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blurb or query assistance
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access to members-only resource areas
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Developmental edits focus on the entire trajectory of the narrative arc, including hook effectiveness, craft and writing elements, and character development, etc.​
For when story structure is sound but you need a professional polish. Line and copy editing focuses on flow, grammar, repetition, pacing, punctuation, etc.
what's included?
INVESTMENT: $0.017 PER WORD
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customized style sheet for your manuscript
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thorough line and copy edits with tracked changes
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final round of proofreading once all edits have been incorporated
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complimentary editorial letter
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blurb or query assistance
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access to members-only resource areas
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Line and Copy Editing
First Three Chapters
While nothing could replace a full manuscript edit, when you're querying or learning to self-edit, having the first three chapters can be a budget-friendly option.
INVESTMENT: $200
what's included?
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thorough line and copy edits via Tracked Changes
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light developmental suggestions, though these might not be entirely accurate without the full manuscript for consideration
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no more than 50 pages or 15,000 words
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Manuscript Evaluation
Think of a manuscript evaluation as a form of developmental editing, but its focus is more on the report than on the in-manuscript suggestions.
what's included?
INVESTMENT: $0.019 PER WORD
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full manuscript evaluation (often 40-60 pages)
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full analysis of the strengths and struggles of the story
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professional guidance toward improving your craft and writing elements
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suggestions concerning continuing tiers of editing
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blurb or query assistance
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Developmental Editing
what's included?
INVESTMENT: $0.038 PER WORD
-
full manuscript evaluation (often 40-60 pages)
-
book map
-
customized style sheet for your manuscript
-
developmental editing comments throughout
-
round of line and copy edits with tracked changes
-
final round of proofreading once all edits have been incorporated
-
blurb or query assistance
-
access to members-only resource areas
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Guided Self-Editing
Every author has to start somewhere, and this tier of editing is meant to help you work with a professional editor prior to committing to the full investment.
what's included?
INVESTMENT: $150, OPTIONAL $30 CALL
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ten-page (2,500 words max) professional edit complete with editing instruction via comments and an editorial letter
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ten-pages (2,500 average) then edited by you following the style guide and instruction given.
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professional review with mark-ups of self-edited pages​​
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This is an editorial letter designed to give you a brief overview of your story elements and the suggested tier(s) of editing to best meet your publishing goals.
Editing Subscription
what's included?
INVESTMENT: 3-MONTH SUB $139
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access to members-only editing and writing database supporting the self-editing author, new topics and articles added regularly
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access to members-only weekly blog
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a free 500-word edit every month your subscription is active
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free access to self-editing mini-class videos posted regularly
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Coming Soon
past projects and
TESTIMONIALS
Before you hire a novel editor, it's very important to do your research. No two editors are the same. Each professional brings a unique skillset to the project, so it is imperative to find one whose style enhances your voice and narrative. However, looking at an editor's previous projects and client testimonials is a good place to start. It helps establish credibility and trust.
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That is why I have dedicated an entire page of my website to my clients—developmental editing, line and copy editing, and proofreading projects. I've loved working with them to polish their manuscripts, and I'm looking forward to working with you too!
I was blown away at the quality and thoroughness of her edits.
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debra castaneda
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