Creative Editing Services

We currently accept prose of up to 7,500 words for editing.

Developmental Editing

Developmental editing is ideal for you if you are in the early stages of drafting your work and are looking for a reader’s perspective on big-picture items, such as content, overall organization, and genre conventions.

Copyediting

Copyediting is ideal for you if you have already drafted your work with a “big-picture” perspective (for content, organization, and genre conventions) and are now ready to examine your writing at the word- and sentence-level.

Comprehensive Editing

Comprehensive editing is our full package. This option is ideal for you if you are seeking individualized support throughout your writing and revision process, from your current draft to final manuscript.
Submit your creative prose for editing on Submittable.

Meet with your editor
Editing doesn't have to happen in a vacuum. As part of iō Literary Journal's mission to embrace all forms of creative writing and artistic expression, we aim to uphold your authentic voice and ownership of your writing by establishing a dialogue with you. To do so, our editing packages include a virtual, one-on-one consultation with your editor.

While these consultations occur at different stages for each package, our objective remains the same: to ensure our feedback aligns with your individual vision and goals for your project.

What we do

Developmental Editing + Consultation

With our developmental editing package, our goal is to meet you where you are in your writing process and advance your current  fiction or creative nonfiction piece to its next draft.

We’ll craft a detailed editorial letter that documents suggested revisions, as well as strategies for implementing these revisions in your next draft. We may also include line edits in your current draft illustrating where and how these revisions can be applied in the text.

In addition to receiving thorough written feedback from us, you’ll meet with one of our founding editors for a virtual one-on-one consultation prior to the editing process to discuss your goals for the piece at its current stage, your personal strengths and challenges as a writer, and areas you would like us to focus our feedback. As well, we’ll support you during and after the editing process to address questions about your draft and/or our feedback.

Rate per word

.03¢ per word
up to 7,500 words
$30 minimum
Initial Consultation
  • Meet for a ​virtual one-on-one consultation with an iō editor before ​the editing process to discuss your goals for your draft
  • ​Create a plan for focusing our feedback
Editing Process
  • Refine your prose for its next draft based on where you are in the writing process
  • Maintain your authentic voice and meaning expressed in your work
  • Research and/or suggest relevant topics to further develop content as needed
Materials
  • A detailed editorial letter outlining individualized suggestions and strategies for revision
  • Line edits in your draft to indicate suggested in-text revisions, when necessary

Copyediting + Consultation

With our copyediting package, our goal is to refine your fiction or creative nonfiction piece and prepare your manuscript for the next stage: publication!

We'll revise your prose for clarity, accuracy, and consistency to develop a fully polished manuscript. In addition to receiving detailed written feedback from us, you’ll meet with one of our founding editors for a virtual one-on-one consultation following the editing process to clarify our suggestions, discuss any follow-up questions you may have, and identify next steps for your project. We’ll also support you during and after the editing process to address your questions about your manuscript and/or our edits.

Rate per word

.02¢ per word
up to 7,500 words
$30 minimum
Editing Process​
  • Review your prose for clarity and accuracy, to include spelling, grammar, punctuation, syntax, and diction
  • Maintain your authentic voice and meaning expressed in your work
  • Cross-check any factual information and/or references noted in your work to enhance accuracy
  • Enhance consistency across style and formatting​
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  • Review bibliographical information based on your preferred citation style and make recommendations for further source documentation if needed
  • Notify you of any permissions necessary for copyright material
  • Communicate any errors, inconsistencies, and/or questions that contribute to the overall clarity of your work
Materials
  • In-text feedback included directly on your draft
  • Detailed written feedback on your draft noting suggestions for references, formatting, necessary permissions, and/or questions
Closing Consultation
  • ​Meet for a ​virtual one-on-one consultation with an iō editor after ​the editing process to discuss follow-up questions
  • Identify next steps for your writing project

Comprehensive Editing + 2 Consultations

Our comprehensive editing includes the full package: developmental editing, copyediting, and two consultations.

We’ll start by reviewing your current fiction or creative nonfiction draft for developmental edits, with attention to content, overall organization, and genre conventions. You’ll receive a detailed editorial letter documenting suggested revisions with strategies for implementing them in your draft. After smoothing out these “big-picture” revisions, we’ll move on to refining your manuscript for publication by copyediting for clarity, accuracy, and consistency.

Throughout this process, you’ll meet with one of our founding editors for a virtual one-on-one consultation at the beginning and final stages of your project. During our first consultation, we’ll discuss your goals for your piece, your strengths and challenges as a writer, and areas you would like us to focus our feedback. Our final consultation will focus on any follow-up questions about our suggested edits and next steps for your project.

Rate per word

.04¢ per word
up to 7,500 words
$30 minimum

Schedule your free consultation
Are you deciding which editing package is for you, or do you want to dig deeper in our editing process?