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hi!

I'M LYNDSEY

I'm the founder of The Editing Forge, a multi-faceted company working to elevate genre fiction. No matter whether you plan to self-publish, hope to be picked up by an indie press, or dream of being traditionally published, you've come to the right place!

I began in 2020 as one freelance editor looking to make a difference for the horror genre. Since then, I've opened the doors to all genres. And though I've added multiple divisions, services, and products to meet the needs of the writing community, at the heart of The Editing Forge, I'm still that one editor simply trying to help authors achieve their dreams.

Let's ignite your fiction!

Publishing your novel is hard. Working with an editor shouldn't be. But it also shouldn't only be about finding and fixing errors in your manuscript. Anyone can do that.

What sets me apart is my goal to become an integral part of your team and the foundation upon which you build a successful author career. If you're looking for a service that will help elevate your style, identify and enhance your voice, bring your characters to life, challenge your perspective and hone your craft, then The Editing Forge is the only editor for you.

In my opinion, if I do my job correctly, the authors who have worked with me before return with cleaner copy and more fully developed storylines with each consecutive project. It's my job to work harder so you need me less. This helps reduce your future costs and makes your publishing process more streamlined.

Interested in working with me? View my Services page or choose the Custom Inquiry menu option.

my vision, my goal, my promise to you

before we go on...

LEARN MORE

A professional-level editing resource for the career-focused author. No matter your publishing goals, How to Self-Edit Your Novel will help you improve your writing and your reader impressions, with a foreword by author John Palisano, former president of the Horror Writers Association.

HAVE YOU ORDERED YOUR COPY?

TRY NOT TO DIE: AT MEADOW SPIRE MALL

P.W. FEUTZ

"My thanks is also due to Lyndsey Smith for your editorial wisdom. You’ve elevated this simple tale of frenemies and foes into the polished story that it is now. The final version of this novel bites harder, roars louder, and lurks more unnervingly in the shadows thanks to your meticulous work."

Tier of Editing: Line and Copy Editing, Proofreading

free download

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THE BEST
FOR YOUR STORY

team

BACHELOR'S DEGREE WITH HONORS

English and creative writing

BACHELOR'S DEGREE WITH HONORS

Forensic psychology

MASTER'S DEGREE (IN PROGRESS)

English and creative writing

EDITING CERTIFICATION

Copyediting, Writer's Digest

ALMOST FIVE YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY

Both Traditional and Self-Pub

Editing is not a one-size-fits-all commodity. It's meant to be tailored to the author's and the manuscript's specific needs. The Editing Forge strives to meet those expectations with easy-to-understand packages for both new writers and established authors. These services are for those wishing to self-publish or are looking to have their manuscript polished prior to submission at a publishing house.

Click these tabs for detailed description of the professional editing services The Editing Forge has to offer.

your editing project

Developmental edits focus on the entire trajectory of the narrative arc, including: hook effectiveness, character development, craft and writing elements, etc.

what's included?

full manuscript evaluation (often 40-60 pages)
book map
customized style sheet for your manuscript
developmental editing comments throughout
round of line and copy edits with tracked changes
final round of proofreading once all edits have been incorporated
access to members-only areas for six months

INVESTMENT: $0.038 PER WORD

Not everyone understands grammar rules and the nuances of fiction. That's where I come in! This package focuses on flow, pacing, redundancy, grammar, punctuation, etc.

what's included?

customized style sheet for your manuscript
thorough line and copy edits via Tracked Changes and comments
final round of proofreading once all edits have been incorporated
complimentary editorial letter
complimentary blurb copy
access to members-only area for six months

INVESTMENT: $0.017 PER WORD

Once your novel has been through the editing process, it's always a great idea to have it looked over one more time to make sure no errors were introduced during edit integration. While this service is included with most of The Editing Forge's packages, if you've used another editor previously, I'll be happy to take a final look for you.

what's included?

full manuscript proofread
only grammar and punctuation will be addressed
detrimental inconsistencies will be noted but not corrected
manuscript should already be formatted unless otherwise noted
not a replacement for a line and copy editor

INVESTMENT: $0.008 PER WORD

You've read all the blogs and articles about the tiers of editing, but how can you tell for sure what your novel needs? Let me help you develop a publishing game plan!

what's included?

full manuscript evaluation (often 40-60 pages)
full analysis of the strengths and struggles of your novel
professional guidance toward what tier of editing your novel needs prior to publishing
access to members-only area for two months

INVESTMENT: $0.019 PER WORD

At The Editing Forge, we understand every writer has to start somewhere. For many going the self-publishing route, that place is self-editing. But you don't have to do it alone! This service is also perfect for established authors looking for guided support to improve their craft.

what's included?

access to members-only editing and writing database supporting the self-editing author, new articles and topics added regularly
access to members-only weekly blog posts
a free 500-word edit each subscription period with each plan (developmental, line and copy editing, or brainstorming)
free access to editing and writing mini-class videos (2-3 new videos posted monthly)

INVESTMENT: 3-MONTH SUB $139

Coming Soon

This comprehensive edit allows me to support you from concept and outline to release. I'll personally walk you through your unique writing process with guided instruction and industry expertise.

what's included?

outline assistance and initial brainstorming
detailed developmental guidance and comments
full manuscript evaluation including book map, e-pamphlets, style sheets, and video instruction
line and copy edits, extensive Tracked Changes
final proofreading
blurb copy
synopsis and query assistance for traditional authors
cover art and formatting for self-publishing authors

INVESTMENT: CUSTOMIZABLE WITH OPTIONS

past projects and

TESTIMONIALS

Before you hire a novel editor, it's very important to do your research. No two editors are the same. Each professional brings a unique skillset to the project, so it is imperative to find one whose style enhances your voice and narrative. However, looking at an editor's previous projects and client testimonials is a good place to start. It helps establish credibility and trust.

That is why I have dedicated an entire page of my website to my clients—developmental editing, line and copy editing, and proofreading projects. I've loved working with them to polish their manuscripts, and I'm looking forward to working with you too!

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