Melinda Crouchley Editorial.
​Editing expertise at your service.

As both an author and editor, my editorial philosophy comes from a place of empathy and compassion for the writing and revising process. Writing is hard. I do my best to mitigate that with the enthusiasm and deep analysis I bring to each project.

My approach to any editing project is to elevate a manuscript to the best possible version of itself. I like to first connect with authors or publishers to ensure we have a unified vision of what the book is and where we want it to be by the end of the edit. Before we can change any pages, we all need to start on the same one. 

CONVENTIONAL EDITING SERVICES
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  • Developmental Editing ($45/hr) : My notes range from 20-30 pages and I apply my lens to the fundamentals of your manuscript: structure, narrative, and language. I will usually also include single line item edits, media suggestions, a revision road-map, a 30 minute post-letter Zoom consultation, and bonus content-specific exercises that will help aid in the revision process. 

  • Line Editing ($45/hr): Line editing is one of those tricky beasts that sits snugly between a full-scale developmental edit, and a heavy copyedit. It's also my specialty. As an author and editor I've conducted multiple line edits always with the idea of identifying writing quirks that violate language standards, smoothing awkward sentences, and pushing writers to land the most powerful language punches possible. 

  • Copyediting ($40/hr): It's time to crack open a Merriam-Webster dictionary and snuggle up to the Chicago Manual of Style. Covering the basics: grammar, syntax, punctuation, and spelling. Happy to do some fact-checking or flagging, and lots of querying. 

  • Proofreading ($35/hr): Just need one last review before a manuscript lands at its final destination? I've got you covered.

PROMOTIONAL DEALS

  • Manuscript Analysis ($1500): 15 page editorial analysis of your manuscript, with a generous focus on narrative, structure, and language. This includes some line level notes, a road map for revision, and content specific exercises.

  • Manuscript Evaluation ($1000): 10 page editorial evaluation of your manuscript, covering large scale edits to the narrative, structure, and language.

  • Manuscript Review ($500): Sometimes you don't need in-depth analysis, you just need an overview that targets the most glaring errors in your manuscript. I will provide a 5 page editorial letter covering the basics of structure, narrative, and language.

  • First Three Chapter Review ($150): I will happily review three chapters of your manuscript and provide 1-2 pages of feedback.

  • First Chapter Reviews ($50): I can take a gander at your first chapter and provide 1-2 pages of feedback.

I am currently accepting manuscripts.
All services are contracted and an upfront deposit of 20% will be required upon signing. 

​For services, please contact me at: [email protected]

Books I've edited.


Throughout my time as Managing Editor at Ooligan Press, I had the pleasure of working on the developmental edit, line edit, copyedit, and proofread of multiple manuscripts. I worked with several authors in streamlining and perfecting their vision for their manuscript as it evolved into an actual print book. 

I've included links to developmental and copyediting notes where applicable. Further samples are available upon request. 

Testimonials.

Over the year we worked together, Melinda Crouchley earned the highest compliment I can give an editor: I trust her. I trust her skills, her work product, and her judgment. She demonstrates the rarest professional combination—fearlessness, competence, and empathy—and is unquestionably an elite editor who will help any writer find their book's most perfect version."
- Adam O'Connor Rodriguez, Senior Editor at Hawthorne Books
Melinda is a dream editor to work with! All of her ideas are thorough and insightful, and she backs them up. She's one of the most detailed editors I've ever worked with and my book wouldn't be the same without her. Melinda is also wonderful at answering questions about her editorial notes, making sure you never get overwhelmed or discouraged no matter the scale of the edit. If you need an editor, she should definitely be at the top of your list!
- Taylor Thompson, Writer, Story Associate, and Editor at Radish Fiction, Author of Fight and Knockout
As Managing Editor at Ooligan Press, Melinda Crouchley served as midwife to my book Elephant Speak: A Devoted Keeper’s Life Among the Herd, guiding it (and me!) through every stage in the process of working with a university press in order to transform an admittedly rocky initial manuscript into its final glorious self. Through it all, Melinda never lost her cool or her unwavering enthusiasm for the project (at least not where I could see) and remained unfailing professional, elegantly poised, and supremely competent.
​- Melissa Crandall, Elephant Speak: A Devoted Keeper's Life Among the Herd
Melinda stepped into the position of Managing Editor for The Names We Take midway through the process of editing and made the transition smooth and seamless. She has a great eye for story and how to guide an author. I always felt like the door was open to ask questions or to get clarification on editorial corrections. I also really appreciated how Melinda handled the few times that I pushed back against suggestions--she was thoughtful and understanding in ways that made me feel comfortable enough to disagree. And that's important.
​- Trace Kerr, The Names We Take
I had the opportunity to work with Melinda through Ooligan Press for my debut novel, Laurel Everywhere. Not only is Melinda a fantastic editor, but she's also incredibly supportive - her warm notes and words of encouragement always made my day! Melinda has been a joy to work with.
- Erin Moynihan, Laurel Everywhere
Melinda played an instrumental role in the developmental edit of my novel Faultland, and came up with a brilliant tool to help track plot points in my multiple POV narrative. She is a bright, rising star in publishing, and since she is also an author, she has a broad understanding of both sides of the editorial desk.   
​- Suzy Vitello, Faultland

Memberships and affiliations.