Arc & Spine Editorial Services
Craft-focused editing without erasing your voice
Arc & Spine Editorial is a craft-focused editorial studio dedicated to strengthening stories from the inside out. We work with novels, novellas, nonfiction books, short fiction, and essays at every stage of development, helping writers refine both the arc of their work—its plot and structure, momentum, emotional heart, character development, and transformation—and the spine that holds it together: clarity, cohesion, and voice. We are your ally and your advocate in developing and refining your manuscript into something you're ready and proud to show the world.
Our approach balances big-picture insight with careful line-level attention, ensuring each manuscript is structurally sound without losing the author’s unique voice and perspective. Editing at Arc & Spine is collaborative, thoughtful, and rigorous. We don’t rewrite books—we help writers see what their work is already trying to become, then guide it toward its strongest possible form. Whether you’ve just started brainstorming, are shaping an early draft, or polishing a nearly finished manuscript, our goal is the same: to support your vision, sharpen your craft, and deliver an edit that makes your work clearer, stronger, and more confident on the page.
How Our Pricing Works
We offer a free two-page sample edit.
All projects are quoted individually after a free consultation and initial manuscript review. The vast majority of projects fall within the price scales shown below. Quotes will reflect manuscript length, genre, complexity, and the level of editorial depth required. Payment plans are available for longer projects.
If you’re unsure which service fits your manuscript, we’re happy to help you decide.
PLEASE NOTE: To avoid a conflict of interest, books edited by Arc & Spine are not eligible for submission to Android Press.

Books edited by Justine Norton-Kertson have been finalists for the Nebula, BSFA, Locus, Bram Stoker, and Nommo Awards.
Our Services

The Arc Edit
Structural & Developmental Editing
The Arc Edit focuses on the big picture: structure, pacing, narrative logic, and overall cohesion. For fiction, this includes plot architecture, character development, point of view, and thematic momentum. For nonfiction, it addresses argument flow, organization, emphasis, and reader guidance.
You’ll receive an in-depth editorial letter outlining strengths, challenges, and clear, actionable revision strategies, along with margin comments throughout the manuscript highlighting structural opportunities and questions.
Best for: finished first drafts, major revisions, authors feeling “stuck” or unsure what isn’t working.
Cost: $0.02–$0.04 per word (depending on length and complexity)

The Spine Edit
Line Editing & Manuscript Cohesion
The Spine Edit strengthens the connective tissue of your manuscript to ensure clarity, flow, consistency, and voice, aiming to strengthen your style, not alter it. This is a hands-on line edit addressing sentence rhythm, paragraph structure, repetition, clarity, and tone, while preserving the integrity of your language.
Edits are delivered directly in the manuscript via Google Docs as suggestions with tracked changes and concise margin notes explaining craft decisions where helpful.
Best for: second or third drafts that have undergone development editing and need tightening and refinement.
Cost: $0.02–$0.03 per word

Full Manuscript Edit
Arc + Spine Combo
A discounted combo package for authors who want to go deeper with more holistic support.
This comprehensive service is a discounted package deal that includes
a structural Arc Edit with a detailed Spine Edit.
You’ll receive both a developmental roadmap and careful line-level attention, resulting in a manuscript that is structurally sound, polished, and ready for the next stage—submission, self-publishing, or final proofing.
Best for: authors interested in a full editorial partnership on a complete first draft.
Cost: $0.035–$0.06 per word

The Final Touch
Final Polish & Quality Control
Proofreading is the final quality check after all other editing and revisions are complete. This service focuses solely on correcting surface-level spelling, punctuation, grammar, formatting inconsistencies, and typographical errors. No structural or stylistic considerations will be made at this stage.
Proofreading polishes your gem, ensuring your manuscript is clean, professional, and publication-ready, whether you're preparing for the submission grind or an independent print or digital release.
Best for: finalized manuscripts that have already undergone development and line editing.
Cost: $0.01–$0.015 per word

Story Blueprint
Concept Development & Story Design
A collaborative planning service where we work together to shape your concept into a clear, workable foundation: plot direction, character dynamics, stakes, and thematic focus. For nonfiction, this includes refining your central premise, identifying your audience, and designing a strong structural outline.
What's Included:
-
1-2 hour live video session
-
Guided brainstorming around plot, character, and theme
-
Written summary with story direction, core beats, & next steps
Best for: new authors, stalled starters, writers transitioning to a new genre, or anyone overwhelmed by possibilities.
Cost: $150–$300

Manuscript Mentorship
Ongoing Coaching & Support
Comprehensive, long-term collaboration for writers wanting consistent guidance, accountability, and support. We combine coaching, development, line editing, and proofreading into a structured weekly relationship to help carry your project through to a polished, submission or publication-ready manuscript.
What’s Included:
-
Weekly 60-minute sessions with craft discussion, feedback, problem-solving, and goal-setting
-
Editorial attention between sessions. Rolling editorial review, development feedback, line edits, and final polish as the project evolves
-
Accountability & project planning
Realistic milestones, revision strategies, and submission or publication readiness -
Limited email access for quick questions & support between sessions
Cost: $500–$1,000/mo
(Depending on manuscript length, genre, and editorial intensity)
-
Minimum 3-month commitment
-
Limited availability to ensure depth and quality
-
Payment plans available
Get a Quote
To get a free sample edit and a quote for your project, email us at