Frequently Asked Questions

What genres does Reliance Editorial Services specialize in?

At Reliance Editorial Services, I specialize in women’s fiction, sweet/clean romance, and memoirs (both secular and Christian/inspirational). I’m happiest working on heart-centered stories with strong character arcs and emotional depth. If your manuscript contains explicit sexual content, excessive profanity, or graphic violence, we’re probably not the best fit.

You mention you're a conservative Christian. Will that affect how you edit my book?

My personal faith does shape my comfort level working with certain content (as noted above), but it will not affect my commitment to your story. I won’t preach, insert Scripture, or attempt to alter your book’s message. A swear word here and there does not bother me. The real world is full of all kinds of language and situations that aren’t always clean and wholesome. A good story reflects real-world struggles while providing some inspiration in the midst of the mess we can all find ourselves in from time to time. 

My role as an editor is to strengthen your voice and help make your book the very best version of what you intended it to be. Many of my clients write general-market fiction and have been thrilled with the results. In all my work, editing included, I strive to “do everything for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). For my clients, that means professionalism, care, and excellence every time we work together.

How does the editing process work from start to finish?

The editing process is fairly straightforward, but I’ll make sure you’re comfortable and understand what to expect so there are no surprises. If you have questions along the way, I’m very communicative and will be attentive to your needs. You’ll be able to contact me via email, text, or phone. Here’s a general overview of what the process would look like:

 

  • We begin with a short discovery call or email exchange to discuss your project, clarify your goals, and make sure we’re a good fit.
  • You send me your manuscript—or a single chapter if you’d like to start with a free sample edit.
  • I provide a contract and invoice for 50% of the total fee (payable by check or PayPal). I’ll also confirm an estimated completion timeline.
  • Once the contract is signed and the deposit is received, I begin editing. It’s best for you to step away from your manuscript at this time so you aren’t tempted to make any changes. This will also help you review the edited manuscript with fresh eyes when it’s returned to you.
  • You receive your edited manuscript with Track Changes and/or in-document comments explaining suggestions and revisions.
  • The remaining balance is due upon receipt of the final edited manuscript. 
  • I’m happy to answer follow-up questions so you feel confident moving forward.

Everyone's talking about AI editing tools. Should I use Grammarly or ProWritingAid before hiring an editor?

Absolutely! AI tools like ProWritingAid and Grammarly are fantastic for catching basic grammar issues, spelling errors, repetitive words, and clunky sentences. The more you self-edit and run your manuscript through good software, the cleaner your file will be when it reaches me and the less you’ll spend on professional editing. However, AI should never be your only editor. 

These tools sometimes make grammar mistakes and don’t understand story structure, character consistency, pacing, emotional impact, or market expectations. If you blindly accept every suggestion, you can actually make your writing worse. At some point, you need a trained human who reads in your genre. That’s where I come in.

Should I use AI Large Language Models to help with writing and editing?

The use of large language models (LLMs) such as Claude, Grok, and ChatGPT is currently a point of debate within the writing community, and ultimately it’s a personal decision each author must make. I’ve experimented with several of these tools and found they can be enormously helpful for developmental and line editing, as well as for drafting a strong book blurb. They’re improving in the area of copyediting too, although I don’t find them reliable in catching errors yet. 

One important thing to keep in mind is that these models tend to follow an 80/20 pattern: roughly 80 percent of the feedback is affirming, while about 20 percent is truly critical, no matter how well or poorly written the manuscript might be. Used carelessly, AI can also flatten a writer’s unique voice and result in prose that feels generic. For these reasons, it’s best to use these tools thoughtfully and with discernment. It’s also important to know how to prompt AI to get what you need out of it.

In summary, when used well, AI can be a useful part of an overall writing and editing process, but it should never replace a human writer or human editor.

I see testimonials from a web designer, nurse practitioners, etc. Do you still do business or medical editing?

I am a well-rounded editor with a variety of experience. Some of my testimonials are from a time when I did general freelance editing and proofreading. Several years ago, I worked on everything from academic dissertations to paranormal romance, but I now focus exclusively on book-length manuscripts in women’s fiction, sweet romance, and memoirs.

How can I get your free self-editing guide?

Just ask! I’ll send you my helpful e-book, An Author’s Quick Guide to Self-Editing. It’s available as a PDF.

I'm on a tight budget. Any tips for keeping manuscript editing costs down?

Many authors are working within a tight budget and need to manage costs without sacrificing the quality of their book. Fortunately, there are several ways to keep editing expenses under control. Most editors offer a price range for each type of edit, and where your manuscript falls within that range depends largely on its condition. A cleaner manuscript takes less time to edit and therefore costs less, while a heavier, more intensive edit will require more time and come at a higher price point.

Prior to sending your manuscript to the editor, you should:

  • Self-edit thoroughly first (use my free guide).
  • Run your manuscript through ProWritingAid or a similar tool.
  • Carefully evaluate the suggestions and implement the fixes you agree with.
  • Have a team of beta readers catch big-picture issues.