Answering Your Frequently Asked Questions

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  • I started my journey in an MFA program, but I felt like my courses were missing something. Even though we studied great literary authors, I wanted to learn to write and edit commercial fiction. This sent me down my path to become a Developmental Editor.

    Through that process, I found myself a mentor and began intensively studying writing craft.

    I have taken the following courses through the Editorial Freelancers Association:

    1. Developmental Editing of Fiction: Beginning

    2. Developmental Editing of Fiction: Intermediate

    3. Developmental Editing of Fiction: Advanced

    4. Editorial Letters for Every Editor

    5. Tracking Editorial Projects from Start to Finish

    6. Digital Marketing Primer

    7. The Art of Feedback

    I am a member of the Editorial Freelance Association and the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance.

  • Rates vary depending on the length and complexity of your manuscript. I provide a custom quote after our discovery call. Click here for a price estimate.

  • I am particularly fond of speculative genres including Fantasy & Science Fiction. I love romance novels as well. With that being said, I am well-versed in multiple genres and can provide feedback across many different types of stories.

  • I work with a variety of fiction manuscripts, including novels and novellas. Whether you are writing a short story or an epic fantasy, I can be your second set of eyes on your work.

  • Absolutely! A sample edit consists of 2000 words of your manuscript. Generally I will require a sample edit unless we have worked together before.

    Click here to request a Sample Edit.

  • At this time, I do not offer these services. I am happy to provide you with a recommendation, if you need one!

  • I am happy to provide an evaluation on the plausibility of an idea or help you flesh out an outline. Please reach out to me for a specific quote.

  • All of my editorial notes are a matter of opinion as is most feedback in the creative world. While I will provide you with an explanation for why I gave the feedback that I did, it is quite possible that you will disagree with some of my edits.

    You maintain complete creative freedom over your story including accepting or rejecting any of my recommendations.

  • The timeline for developmental editing varies depending on the length and complexity of the manuscript. Typically, the process takes between 4-6 weeks. I will provide a more accurate timeline after our discovery call.

  • First, book a discovery call with me so that I can learn a little bit more about your story. Next, I will conduct a sample edit on your manuscript.

    If we are a good match, I will send over a proposal for your project and begin working. Typical turnaround times are four to six weeks.

    Many introverted writers find it daunting to sit through a zoom call with me. If this is you, we can handle everything over email.

  • I offer two discounts on editing packages.

    First, if you refer me to a writer that becomes a paying client, I’ll discount your next editing package by 15%.

    Second, if you find a typo on my website and email me a screenshot at edits@leah-harter.com, I will discount your next editing package 10%.

    These are non-transferrable discounts that expire after one year.