Fiction Editor. Writer. Reader.
Welcome to my site!
I'm an author and an editor.
Whether it's developmental, line, or both, I aim to provide you with a professional and brilliant service to make your writing shine like it deserves.
I also offer services like beta reading or help with pitches and blurbs to really hone your manuscript and hook your audience.
Let's polish that script together!
Alex Orchard is a traditionally published and self published author.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Winchester, UK.
She has over 20 years experience in writing fiction, and editing.
Alex lives in the UK with her husband, children and 2 black cats, and is well-versed in writing all sorts of genres, and edits and beta-reads work regularly for other authors.
ABOUT ME
My Book
THE BURDEN OF US
Out now on Amazon: paperback, Kindle and Kindle Unlimited
Ella Webb was never destined to be free.
When she turned sixteen, Ella's only present was an arranged marriage to Dean, her ex-friend.
Desperate for time, she bargained for a three-year reprieve to get an education and graduate before she was forced to marry.
Falling in love with someone else was never Ella's intention. Yet she allowed herself to fall deep into the rabbit hole of forbidden love and hidden family secrets that Ella wished had stayed buried... but it all might be the key to setting herself free.
Services
1
Beta Reading
Do you need another set of eyes on your draft? Need to know what can be improved? Or whether the characters feel realistic? Need to know if the plot is working? Let me help you by beta reading for you!
Prices -
£20 - up to 5k words
£40 - up to 10k words
£70 - up to 50k words
Contact me for a precise quote!
Note: all beta readings include comments and suggestions and if I see anything grammatically wrong, I do mention it! Consider it a light edit alongside reader feedback, hence a charge!
2
Blurb / pitch help
Do you need help editing and/or rewriting a blurb and/or elevator pitch (logline) for your manuscript?
Let me help you!
Contact me now if you need help!
Prices -
Logline only (100 words max and multiple options) - £10
Blurb only (250 words max) - £20
BOTH - £26
Here is what I need to help you:
. A title (and series title if needed)
. A full spoiler including summary
. Any ideas and/or original blurb or logline
. Anything you DON'T want in there . Specifics of what you do want
. Example of similar blurbs that you like
3
Editing
Over the years, I've worked to hone my craft and editing is a part of that. I've worked on many manuscripts and writing in different stages. First drafts, all the way to final drafts that are about to be published.
With this, I provide guidance, suggestions and line editing, fine-tuning grammar and also providing those special comments about your story to cheer you on!
I can work on both developmental editing and line editing, whether it's one or the other you're looking for, please reach out and we can discuss!
Please see my FAQ section for pricing and policies
FAQ / Policies
Payment policy:
All payments will be made via Paypal. For services under £100, I require full payment upfront to secure your booking. For above £100, I require 50% upfront as a deposit, and the rest can be made just before delivery of the final product. Invoices will be made on agreement of the service.
Editing rates FOR NOVELLAS AND NOVELS
When booking, I will ask for your exact word count so I can calculate the cost of the service.
I do not have a "set cost" - I am happy to work to your budget. Though my standard "work-to rates" would be a guide range of:
Short story - please reach out to me!
20-50k (this is very loose and depends on the word count, please reach out if less than 50k words) - £100-200 DEPENDING ON WORD COUNT AND WHAT IS NEEDED
50-80k words - £350-450
80 - 100k: - £500-£600
Anything over 100k words: per 2000 = £20 extra
But PLEASE REACH OUT with your word counts and your budget and discuss - I'm more than happy to work with you!
Word Count Policy:
I will charge based on the word count given at time of booking. If I get a quote of, say 50k, and you deliver me 70k, I will invoice you for the difference.
Are there any genres you won't read:
Generally, I will read any genre. I am not best suited to sci-fi in terms of developmental editing, however I will still edit it.
I am very flexible, however I will NOT edit ANY scenes with sexual assault ON THE PAGE.
How should I send my manuscript:
Please send me your manuscript via Google Docs (so I can be an editor in the settings) or Word document.
WITH EITHER WAY KEEP YOUR OWN ORIGINAL VERSION OF YOUR MANUSCRIPT
With Google Docs, please send me the manuscript and KEEP YOUR OWN COPY. I work WITHOUT suggestions, so will type/delete/comment on the page so you will get a fresh copy (an editor's version)
With Word - I will work with tracked changes. I do use Libre Office, however, but it works the same as Word. But PLEASE KEEP AN ORIGINAL COPY OF YOUR MANUSCRIPT.
Turnaround time:
Generally, I work quite quickly. However for an average 50,000 word manuscript, I will give a week (7 working days). Sometimes, however, it may be more of less depending on my calendar. I will give you an estimate during initial consultation and as always will keep in contact with you throughout the process (life does happen and I have children so sometimes I may have to have a couple extra days!)
TESTIMONIALS
"Prior to requesting Alexandra to edit my upcoming book, she had read the draft of my story while I read several of her amazing books. Actually, I chose her in good knowledge and trust of where she can take my story, and the result did not disappoint. Not only did she line edit as per requirement, but she also reduced my word count greatly while also giving her opinion when something wasn't right, without being afraid of going beyond what she was asked. She respected all my choices before trying to see if there was room for something else. I'm not a native speaker; English is my third language, and she made me feel very safe in the way she looked at my work, especially when it came down to some specifications on my writing style. She didn't change anything without my consent but improved the quality of my story with insightful suggestions and her literacy knowledge, and that is why I highly recommend her as an editor." - Anna Muscaria - author of "Hell is an Empty Heart"
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"sensational editor, left some wonderful feedback and developmental pointers to further enhance my novel. wonderfully quick delivery and great second pair of eyes over my novel. as a young writer still making their way, this level of editing is exactly what I need to help elevate my book. thank you!" - Fiverr user
"I continue to be absolutely delighted with everything about Alex's work, she's a wonderful editor both in terms of line by line editing and for overall high level concepts. She's endlessly willing to discuss characters and their motivations, plot points, etc and overall I feel truly cares about her clients' success." - Fiverr user
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"Alex is an insightful and supportive editor. She'd helped me find my personal voice, as a writer, and spotted issues in my conveying what I wanted to convey. I feel like she really understands what I'm trying to say as a writer." - repeat customer
"Alex is great to work with, showing attention to detail and very quick responsiveness and adaptability to briefs. She is adaptable and cooperative at all times, being professional in approach and always polite." - repeat customer on Fiverr
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It was such a pleasure to work with Alex. She is lovely and very professional! I would definitely use her services again." - Fiverr user
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CONTACT ME
Ready to elevate your work? Contact me now either by form below or email to get a quote now!