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. I will provide an outline template. All you have to do is fill it out, 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

“Laura helps stories and authors swell with the kind of excitement that comes when you like what you did but you’re even more excited about what you’re going to do.” –Cara

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, studied, and analyzed 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

Because an outline packs a lot of information into a few words, they cost more per word than my other services. The price of your edit depends on the length and complexity of your outline. When you first request an edit, I will gather more information about your story and then give you a hand-tailored quote.

The table below shows you the widest range of prices I might quote on a given word count, and is only here as a reference point.

“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

Frequently Asked Questions

When in my writing process should I get an outline edit? An outline edit should come before drafting. 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 for stories you have not yet written. If you have a partial manuscript and the rest is still an outline, you may also use an outline edit for the unwritten portion. Keep in mind that an outline edit will give you valuable insight and inspiration for the bones of your story, but cannot comment on the nuance of a fully written manuscript. The editorial assessment and developmental edit are meant for full manuscripts and address things such as foreshadowing, consistency, character portrayal, and theme authenticity.

What is a book map? A book map is a visual outline of your book. In the case of an outline edit, it will be a marked-up copy of the outline template you submit. A book map is a fantastic way to see the progression of your plot and character arcs. You can learn more about them at My Approach.

Request an Outline Edit