Literary Publication Proofreading and Editing Services
Find Your Perfect Literary Publication Editor
Choose the right editor for your literary work through our network of professionals, each offering editing services tailored to support your fiction or nonfiction manuscript.
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+ 53 Editors
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Have your literary work edited in three steps
Browse profiles of accomplished editing professionals.
Send your files and provide any details regarding the project.
Receive the edited manuscript before your requested due date.
Refining Every Word
What our literary editors provide
Whether you're writing fiction or nonfiction, we focus on enhancing structure, clarity, and flow—ensuring your ideas are presented with maximum impact. From refining narrative arcs and chapter organization to improving sentence rhythm and style consistency, we tailor our editing to your voice and purpose. The result is a polished, compelling manuscript that’s ready to resonate with readers and meet the expectations of publishers.
Collaboration-Focused Literary Editing
Work with your editor one-on-one
A great edit starts with a great conversation. With ServiceScape, the editing experience becomes a true collaboration—focused on strengthening your work while preserving your voice. Messaging and video calls make it easy to ask your editor questions, share ideas, and discuss your manuscript throughout the process. Whether you're developing a compelling narrative or organizing complex material, open communication ensures your vision is clearly understood.
Understanding Your Subject
The right editor for every literary project
Our editors bring a wealth of qualifications, experience, and subject-specific expertise. Whether you're polishing a literary novel, crafting a compelling memoir, editing a short story collection, or fine-tuning a hybrid nonfiction manuscript, we have professionals who understand your genre, voice, and goals. Every editor is carefully vetted and reviewed, giving you the freedom to choose someone whose background and editorial style align perfectly with your project.
Our Editorial Approach
Ensuring the very best literary editing services
We believe great editing respects the author's voice and vision. Our editorial approach is built on collaboration, thoughtful insight, and a deep appreciation for the craft of writing. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all method, our editors tailor their process to suit your manuscript’s tone, purpose, and audience. Whether you're working on a novel, short story, or screenplay, our goal is to support your work while refining it with clarity, coherence, and care.
Perfected for Readers, Publishers, and Producers
Your manuscript will be fully submission-ready
Every edit brings your manuscript one step closer to its final form. Whether you're submitting a novel to a publisher, preparing a memoir for self-publishing, or polishing a screenplay for producers, our industry-leading editors ensure your work meets professional standards. With refined structure, consistent tone, and clean language, your literary project will be ready to make a lasting impression on agents, publishers, readers, and viewers alike.
Our Editing Service Marketplace
Choose your own literary editor
Find the perfect editor for your manuscript through ServiceScape’s trusted marketplace of experienced literary professionals.
Many of our editors:
- Hold Ph.D. or Master's degrees
- Offer decades of literary editing experience
- Have hundreds of client ratings and reviews
- Are experts across a wide range of genres
15 Client Reviews
601 Pages Edited
Lecturer at the University of Pretoria
2,466 Client Reviews
107,024 Pages Edited
Writer at PBS
996 Client Reviews
68,063 Pages Edited
Copy Editor at McGraw-Hill Publishing
495 Client Reviews
26,061 Pages Edited
Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of Illinois
Senior Editor at Black and White Zebra
451 Client Reviews
23,851 Pages Edited
M.A. in Asian Studies from UC Berkeley
30 Pages Edited
B.A. in English Creative Writing from the University of Central Oklahoma
Cell Biology Researcher at the University of California Davis Medical Center
853 Client Reviews
31,847 Pages Edited
Director in Medical Policy at Aetna
21 Client Reviews
2,531 Pages Edited
Editor at Brigham Young University
Learn More About Us
What makes ServiceScape work for you
Your Questions, Answered
FAQ
Our literary editing services are designed to honor your creative voice while enhancing the clarity, structure, and impact of your work. Here’s what you can expect:
- Creative Language Refinement: Polishing grammar, sentence structure, and phrasing while preserving the unique rhythm and tone of your prose.
- Line-Level Clarity and Flow: Editing at the sentence level to improve readability, coherence, and narrative rhythm without compromising your stylistic choices.
- Voice and Style Preservation: Supporting your distinctive literary voice and refining it to resonate consistently across the manuscript.
- Structural and Thematic Development: Offering insights into pacing, organization, and thematic clarity to strengthen the overall arc of your narrative or argument.
- Character and Setting Enrichment: For fiction and memoir, enhancing character development, dialogue, and setting to create depth and emotional resonance.
- Editorial Feedback and Commentary: Providing thoughtful, constructive feedback to help you further develop your work beyond basic corrections.
- Consistency in Style and Terminology: Ensuring that tone, formatting, and word usage remain consistent throughout the manuscript.
- Genre and Audience Alignment: Evaluating how well your manuscript fits within its intended literary category while preserving its originality and appeal.
- Clarity for Nonfiction Prose: For nonfiction literary works, improving argument structure, transitions, and clarity of thought while retaining your personal or reflective tone.
- Formatting for Submission: Formatting your manuscript to meet industry expectations for agents, publishers, journals, contests, or producers.
- Subtlety and Nuance Enhancement: Refining metaphors, symbolism, and literary devices to ensure they are effective, layered, and emotionally compelling.
Whether your work is destined for a small press, a literary journal, self-publication, or a production company, our goal is to help you present your writing at its finest.
You can hire an editor by just browsing our marketplace of editors, clicking on the "View Profile" button of an editor you want to hire, and clicking on the "Hire Me" button. After your payment method has been processed, your editor will get to work and will deliver the edited version before your due date.
A list of prices and due dates can be found within each editor's profile. Just find your editor and click on the "View Profile" button.
Our fastest delivery option is one hour using our Express Delivery service.
Sure! Many ServiceScape editors provide free samples. You can submit a free sample request by just browsing our marketplace of editors, clicking on the "View Profile" button of an editor you want to request a free sample from, and clicking on the "Free Sample" button. If the editor accepts your free sample request, you will receive the sample edited version within a couple of days.
You can send a message to an editor by just browsing our marketplace of editors, clicking on the "View Profile" button of an editor you want to contact, and clicking on the "Send Message" button. We will email you a notification as soon as your editor replies to your message.
You can schedule a teleconference call by just browsing our marketplace of editors, clicking on the "View Profile" button of an editor you want to contact, and clicking on the "Teleconference" button. We will contact you right away about availability and set up the teleconference for all parties involved.
You can find ratings and reviews from past clients within most editor profiles. Just find your editor and click on the "View Profile" button to see them. You can also read thousands of ServiceScape ratings and reviews on eKomi.
In addition, ServiceScape has been featured in several publications and websites, including The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, UpWork, HuffPost, and The Ladders.
Many editors have portfolios which feature their editing. Just find your editor and click on the "View Profile" button to view these edited versions.
Yes, we provide editing certifications. Simply request the document when you hire an editor. When your project is delivered, you can download the editing certification by clicking on your project and clicking on the "Certification" button. These signed declarations certify that a document has been professionally edited by a ServiceScape editor.
Our Testimonials and Experience
What we bring to the table
ServiceScape is built on 25 years worth of experience, working on over 347,000 projects with over 99,000 clients. Our literary editing and proofreading services are rated 4.9 out of 5 stars, based on 28 reviews collected over the last 5 years. Join the thousands of people who have chosen ServiceScape to find the best and brightest talent.
"My freelancer's attention to detail and commitment to quality exceeded my expectations. Every aspect of the project was handled with utmost professionalism."
"I was amazed by the promptness and efficiency of the person I hired. The project was completed well ahead of the deadline, without compromising on quality."
"The level of creativity and innovation in his approach was outstanding. He truly transformed my ideas into something extraordinary!"
"Exceptional service! The professional was incredibly responsive and attentive to all my requirements, making the entire process seamless and enjoyable."
"I highly recommend her services. The professionalism and expertise displayed by the freelancer were top-notch, and the results were simply superb."
"The quality of work delivered was impeccable. Every detail was carefully considered and executed to perfection. Absolutely thrilled with the service!"
"Her ability to understand and adapt to my specific needs was remarkable. The final product was exactly what I was hoping for, and more."
"Prompt, professional, and passionate about her work. She went above and beyond to ensure the project's success."
"The service was outstanding from start to finish. Communication was clear and frequent, keeping me in the loop at every stage."
"Truly impressed by the quick turnaround time. This professional managed to deliver a high-quality result in a remarkably short period."
"His commitment is evident in his work. He made sure I was completely happy with the final outcome."
"A blend of professionalism, skill, and creativity. This individual brought a fresh perspective to the project that was both inspiring and effective."
"The freelancer's expertise in his field is unmatched. He provided invaluable insights and suggestions that greatly enhanced the project."
"I appreciated his attention to detail and dedication to delivering a product that not only met, but exceeded my expectations."
"Her approach to the project was both thorough and innovative. She managed to capture the essence of my vision perfectly. Thank you so much!"
"Remarkable service! The quality of work was consistently high, and her ability to meet tight deadlines was impressive."