Valerie Biel

Editing

My formal journalism training paired with years of fiction writing and editing work on all types of projects guide my strategic approach to editing your fiction or nonfiction manuscript.

Developmental Editing

Developmental editing focuses on the big-picture structure and substance of a manuscript. It answers: Does this book work as a whole?

As a developmental editor I evaluate:

Narrative structure and pacing
Plot coherence and stakes (for fiction)
Character development and arcs
Organization and flow of ideas (for nonfiction)
Voice, tone, and audience alignment
The effectiveness of the opening, ending, and key turning points, including chapter strength.

I provide strategic feedback and revision guidance—including an editorial letter and in-manuscript comments.

Client Endorsements

Valerie Biel is an expert in all aspects of publishing. An award-winning author herself, she helps others in their writing. Valerie shepherded my latest book through editing, formatting, and cover design. She set up advertising campaigns to promote the book and provided advice on marketing strategies. Valerie has helped many authors navigate the turbulent waters of independent publishing. Her many podcasts, Books and Beer events, and Wisconsin Writers Association presentations has cemented her reputation as a “go to” person in writing and publishing. – author Larry Scheckel

Over the course of several years, I've worked with Valerie on marketing strategy as well as editing some of my novels. Her attention to detail as an editor was incredible, while her knowledge of Amazon marketing, advertising, and metrics gave me peace of mind. With her grasp of the industry, some of my novels became Amazon bestsellers. I cannot recommend Val enough! ~ Sara Dahmen, award-winning, bestselling author

Stylistic and Copy Editing

A stylistic/copy edit is a comprehensive sentence-level edit that refines your writing for clarity, flow, and correctness. This includes stylistic improvements to strengthen voice and readability, along with detailed copyediting to ensure grammar, consistency, and professional polish throughout. It answers: Is this clear, engaging, and professionally polished?

With this service, I complete line editing (the art side) to improve the flow and impact of the writing . . .

*Refines sentence structure for clarity and rhythm * Eliminates awkward phrasing and redundancy * Strengthens voice and tone consistency * Enhances dialogue to sound natural and distinct * Tightens prose (cuts filler, overwriting, repetition) * Adjusts pacing at the paragraph/scene level.

along with copy editing (the “rules” side) which ensures accuracy and consistency:

* Corrects grammar, punctuation, and syntax * Standardizes spelling, capitalization, and hyphenation * Fixes continuity errors (timeline, names, details) * Enforces style guide consistency (Chicago Manual of Style or if the project warrants - AP Style) * Flags factual inconsistencies or unclear references * Cleans up formatting issues.

Can I have both?? WHY, YES . . . you can!

I often do both types of edits simultaneously, when we are relatively sure substantial rewrites will not be necessary (the type of structural or organizational changes that a developmental edit might find.)

Pricing & Availability

I'm currently booking edits for the 4th quarter of 2026. The price range usually begins at about $800 and can reach $2000+ for large projects. Make an editing inquiry by clicking the contact button below. (Rush editing is available for a premium fee.)

BIDDING PROCESS:

I will provide a sample edit of 10% of the word count of the completed manuscript for free. The sample edit will be returned to the author with the bid for the full manuscript. I edit in a word doc, utilizing track changes and comments, along with a final editorial note addressing global issues and strengths and weaknesses based on which type of edit is chosen.

I DO NOT EDIT:

picture books
children's grade level readers
academic writing that needs APA, MLA, or other academic study specific styles
erotica

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