Madonna Evans

Writing and publishing a book or other work is a deeply personal, creative journey. And good editing isn't just corrections and rigid rules—it is a supportive partnership designed to honor your creative journey, amplify your voice, and give your work the thoughtful care it deserves.As an experienced production editor, developmental editor, copyeditor, and proofreader of award-winning books, I work closely with writers and publishers at every stage of the writing process. Whether you are an independent author shaping your early draft or a publisher looking for a trusted editor who respects tight deadlines, I am here to support you.

About Me

Behind every manuscript is a writer who cares deeply about their work—my favorite part of working in this industry has always been partnering directly with authors to help them realize their vision.I have a Master’s Degree in English: Professional Writing and years of extensive experience working directly with authors through every stage of the editorial lifecycle. (You can explore a selection of some of the published books I've worked on in the gallery below!)Much of my professional editorial background is in educational, non-fiction, and technical editing—areas where I thrive on managing complexity, organizing structure, and bringing clarity to dense material.But my lifelong passion lies in story. My first literary love was the historical romance novels I found at my local library after school. That love has grown into studying the craft of the romance genre—taking classes on character-building, plotting, and tension, attending Romance Writers of America workshops, and editing romance manuscripts. I approach all my varied interests and work projects with the same dedication and curiosity. I'm also in love with sprawling, immersive fantasy (you’ll currently find me lost in Robin Hobb’s Liveship Traders series).Whether you are producing a scholarly text, a narrative non-fiction work, or a sweeping genre fiction novel, I provide the level of care, depth, and hands-on involvement your project deserves.

Editorial Services and Rates

Each manuscript is unique, and so is each editorial partnership.Interested in working together? Email me, or let’s chat! You can schedule a free 15-minute Getting-To-Know-You phone or video call. Choose a time that's convenient for you in my calendar.We’ll discuss your vision and goals, and explore which service is the right fit for your project—no pressure or obligation.

Services and Estimated Rates:The services and rates below represent standard starting estimates for individual authors (in line with current EFA rates). In most cases, I work directly with you to customize a package tailored to your manuscript goals and project timeline.If you aren't sure which service level you need, don't worry—reach out via email or book a free intro call above to start a conversation, and we’ll figure out the best path forward for your project.Author Consultation Call:
One-on-One Editorial Guidance and Project Strategy
Need a professional sounding board for your manuscript? Whether you are stuck on a plot point, organizing your writing workflow, or deciding which level of editing your draft needs next, a consultation call offers dedicated, personalized clarity.
• Best for: Real-time story brainstorming, manuscript planning, or targeted guidance on your immediate editorial steps (Note: Does not include manuscript review.)
• Includes: 60 minute phone or video session, plus a follow-up email summarizing key takeaways and action steps
• Rate: $175 for 60 minutesEditorial Assessment:
High-Level Evaluation
An assessment of your manuscript’s overall structure, narrative pacing, character arcs, tone, and so on. You’ll receive a comprehensive editorial assessment identifying key strengths and areas for structural revision—giving you a clear, confident roadmap to guide your next rewrite.
• Best for: Self-directed authors seeking big-picture feedback before revising, or authors testing their draft before querying
• Includes: Complete read-through and a detailed assessment email
• Evaluation Credit: 50% of your Editorial Assessment fee can be applied directly toward a full Developmental Edit if booked within 30 days of receiving your assessment email.
• Starting Rate: 1.5¢ per word (e.g., ~$900 for a 60,000-word manuscript)Developmental Edit:
Comprehensive, Big-Picture Work on Structure, Organization, and Ideas
Whether you are building a sprawling fantasy world, organizing a complex non-fiction manuscript, or crafting a historical romance, developmental editing addresses the full narrative arc. We’ll work collaboratively, in multiple back-and-forth passes if needed.
• Best for: Early-to-mid draft manuscripts, structural overhauls, or authors seeking hands-on, scene-by-scene story and content guidance
• Includes: Full, comprehensive read-through with margin comments and high-level edits, with tracked changes
• Starting Rate: 2.5¢ per word (e.g., ~$1,500 for a 60,000-word manuscript)Copyedit:
Line-by-Line Refinement
Copyediting polishes phrasing, enhances clarity and flow, and ensures consistency in grammar, punctuation, and style—all while preserving your unique voice. This service is for nearly-finished work that doesn't need any restructuring. I will make corrections and suggestions, and ask questions (using track changes in Word). I adhere to style guides (Chicago Manual of Style, unless specified otherwise) while checking for consistency in tone, voice, and terminology.
• Best for: Completed drafts (ready for refinement, language polishing, and consistency checks)
• Includes: Tracked changes manuscript markup and, if needed, a project style sheet
• Starting Rate: 2¢ per word (e.g., ~$1,200 for a 60,000-word manuscript). Additional features such as references, extensive fact checking, complex tables and figures, and footnotes will be more.Custom Packages:
Build the Right Service for You
Need a hybrid service—like a light developmental edit combined with a copyedit, or an assessment followed by a developmental edit? Every author’s path is different. I am happy to create a personalized proposal tailored specifically to your goals.For Publishing Houses and Academic Presses: I'm available for a variety of services. Reach out anytime to discuss scheduling and project guidelines.

Let's Work Together

Taking the next step with your manuscript shouldn't feel overwhelming! Here is what working together looks like from start to finish:Step 1: Initial inquiry and project summary. Send me an email with a brief summary of your project, current word count, genre, desired timeline, and the type of support you're looking for. If needed or requested, I'll schedule a call so we can discuss details.Step 2: Review and tailored proposal. I’ll review a sample of your manuscript. Then, I’ll send you a customized proposal with a clear project scope, transparent quote, and proposed timeline—no surprises.Step 3: Agreement and booking. Once we settle on the details, I will send a contract and invoice with pre-discussed payment schedule.Step 4: Editing and collaborative polish. The work begins! I’ll dive into your manuscript with care and attention to detail. Throughout the process, we'll stay in touch so you feel fully supported every step of the way toward a polished, publication-ready draft.

You can email me at [email protected]