Outline Edits

Get a Jump Start

An outline edit gives you a birds-eye view of how your plot, characters, and theme are interacting. By giving me your outline, you can chart a course away from plot holes and flat characters before you start drafting. This can also work as a budget edit for finished manuscripts. Just give me a reverse outline (I will provide a template), and I’ll put together a clear snapshot of what is and isn’t working.

Accepted Genres

I specialize in middle-grade and young-adult fiction in the following genres:

However, if you have a theme-rich story that falls into a different genre, I am open to considering it. If you would like to work with me, send in a request, and we will discuss your work to see if it is a good fit.

What You’ll Get

“I’m so impressed with Laura’s ability to bring my vision to life using unique techniques and helpful insights. She really understands the author process!” –Sammie

How an Outline Edit Works

1. Request an edit. Contact me through the form below and we’ll make sure I’m the right editor for your needs.
2. Create your outline. If my services are a good fit, I will send you the outline template. Simply input your story’s information and send it back.
3. Hop on the schedule. Once I’ve got your outline, I’ll give you a price quote and put you on the schedule. I’ll just need $50 to hold your spot. The edit is usually done 2-3 days after the starting time.
4. Await your hand-crafted edit. After I’ve soaked in your story, I will send you a preview of the edit with an invoice for the remaining fee. Once that fee is paid, the full edit and book map are yours!
5. Claim your free brainstorming session. I will email you in the next few days to set up a video call. For thirty minutes, we can brainstorm solutions and go over questions–whatever you and your story need.

And that’s it! If this is the opportunity your story has been waiting for, fill out the request form at the bottom of the page. I can’t wait to see what you’ve been working on.

Pricing

“Laura was able to quickly identify the problem areas in my novel. . . . She has a deep understanding of story structure and character and is able to explain everything in a way that feels personal and manageable. Her insights provided me with a new perspective on my manuscript I would have otherwise missed out on.” –Jon

Frequently Asked Questions

When in my writing process should I get an outline edit? Normally, an outline edit would come before drafting. However, if you are submitting a reverse outline of a completed manuscript, use this edit before investing in line-level edits. An outline edit will bring big improvements that might require big changes.

How is an outline edit different from an editorial assessment or developmental edit? The outline edit is the most budget-friendly of my services. I only read your outline, whereas with the other services I read your whole manuscript. The outline edit also provides a much shorter edit letter. The outline edit will give you valuable insight and inspiration for the bones of your story, but cannot comment on its nuance. If you are ready for more detailed feedback that can address things such as foreshadowing, consistency, character portrayal, and theme authenticity, I would recommend the editorial assessment or developmental edit. The outline edit is a fantastic choice when you are still in the planning stage, or just need a quick check on the bones of your book.

What is a book map? A book map is a visual outline of your book. It is a fantastic way to see the progression of your plot and character arcs. You can learn more about book maps at My Approach.

Request an Outline Edit