Fiction

Editing for

Fantasy Sci-Fi Thriller Horror Danmei Romantasy Novels Short Forms Webtoons

I’m a professional freelance editor specializing in fiction editing. With over 8 years of experience in editing, reader theory, and book blogging, I offer professional insight tailored to genre fiction—fantasy, sci-fi, horror, thriller, and romantasy.

How can I help?

Developmental Editing ✨

This editing phase offers in-depth feedback on your manuscript’s foundation—plot, pacing, worldbuilding, character arcs, dialogue, and emotional impact. It also considers market fit, including age category, target readers, themes, tropes, and genre expectations.


You’ll receive a marked-up manuscript and a detailed editorial letter highlighting your story’s strengths and challenges. Sentence-level issues like grammar and punctuation are not the focus at this stage.

Rate: $0.018 per word (≈ $4.50 per 250-word page) 

Typical turnaround: 4 weeks, varies by project

Copyediting ✨

Ready to polish your prose? Copyediting focuses on sentence-level clarity and correctness—catching issues like awkward phrasing, grammar, punctuation, repetition, and tone. Best for manuscripts post-dev or line edit.

 

You’ll receive an annotated manuscript. No editorial letter is included. A final proofread is still recommended.

Rate: $0.015 per word (≈ $3.75 per 250-word page) 

Typical turnaround: 3 weeks

Authenticity Editing✨

Writing outside your lived experience? Authenticity reads help ensure authentic, respectful representation. I offer informed feedback to help you avoid harmful stereotypes and strengthen emotional accuracy.


Areas of lived or studied experience include:  Anxiety disorder, PTSD, and foster care; NASH, obesity,  PCOS, hysterectomy, and  womanhood; the 90s, stan culture, and Japanese language/lore.

25,000 – 50,000 words – $275

50,000 – 75,000 words: $375  

 75,000 – 100,000 words – $475 

Typical turnaround: 3 weeks

Beta Reading✨

Need fast, reader-focused feedback before publishing? A beta read gives you insight from your target audience’s perspective—no editing, just honest reactions to pacing, engagement, and market appeal. Ideal for polished manuscripts nearing publication.

 

You’ll get unbiased feedback by your deadline, helping you see how real readers experience your story. An opportunity to ask pre-publication questions you have regarding getting your book in front of your audience.

Flat Fee: $225 up to 100,000 words 

Typical turnaround: 2 weeks

Re-Read Report✨

You’ve done the hard work—now let’s make sure it’s landing. This Re-Read Report is for returning clients who’ve made revisions after a Developmental Edit. I’ll review your updated manuscript, offer targeted feedback on your changes, and suggest actionable next steps to take your story even further.

Please note: You will not receive an annotated copy of your manuscript. You are, however, welcome to contact me regarding any questions you have up to 6 months after notes are sent back to you.

Flat Fee: $0.008 per word

Typical turnaround: 1-2 weeks

Serialized Fiction & Webtoon Editing✨

I offer editing for serialized fiction and webtoons designed to enhance pacing, deepen characters, and maximize those all-important cliffhangers. Whether you’re publishing weekly or prepping a full arc, I can help shape each installment into something your readers won’t want to put down. Editing types available: developmental, copyediting, and proofreading.

Please note: rates are negotiable per project. If you have a serial/webtoon you think I’d love to work on and would be a good fit for, don’t hesitate to reach out and let me know your budget. We might be able to work something out!

Single episode/chapter – $20

10 episodes/chapters: $150 

20 episodes/chapters – $325

Typical turnaround: Varies by client’s needs

The Dark Draft Sanctuary✨

A soft space for unfinished, uncertain, or unfiltered stories. This is a no-pressure, judgment-free feedback experience for writers holding onto a half-finished draft, secret novel, or story they’re “not sure is any good.” Maybe it’s been in the drawer for years. Maybe it arrived in a creative heatwave and then hit a wall. Whatever its shape or state, it’s welcome here.

Who it’s for:

  • Writers afraid of “ruining” the idea by finishing it

  • Creators returning to a project that carries emotional weight

  • Neurodivergent, highly sensitive, or perfection-prone writers who need a soft reentry into their own work

What’s included:

  • Gentle read-through of up to 30k words
  • Supportive, big-picture feedback only (no line edits!)
  • 1–2 focused, non-overwhelming suggestions for next steps
  • Encouragement notes + reflective prompts to help you reconnect with the work
  • Optional: audio story notes

Flat fee: $375

Typical turnaround: 3 weeks, varies by project

Please note: if your project is longer than 30k but you’d like to book this service, reach out to me with your story’s specifics. We can work something out!

Anti-Burnout Revision Support✨

This gentle service offers clear, non-overwhelming guidance to help you reconnect with your story. Rooted in the principles of slow productivity, it supports meaningful progress without urgency, pressure, or perfectionism.

Who it’s for:

  • Writers stuck halfway through a second or third draft

  • Anyone struggling to reconnect with their book

  • Creatives who are burned out but not ready to quit

  • Neurodivergent or emotionally fatigued writers who need a softer pace

What’s included:

  • Focused, gentle feedback on up to 20K words (no margin notes, no line edits)
  • Burnout-aware strategies: energy pacing, revision triage, realistic next steps
  • Revision Rituals checklist
  • Audio pep talk + written encouragement (permission to pause, breathe, and begin again)

Flat fee: $275

Typical turnaround: 2 weeks

Please note: if your project is longer than 20k but you’d like to book this service, reach out to me with your story’s specifics. We can work something out!

🔊 Want to hear your feedback instead?

Audio story notes now available!

For writers who process better by listening, don’t love reading long letters, or just want to feel the tone and intention behind feedback, I offer audio story feedback as an alternative to the traditional editorial letter. You’ll receive a thoughtful, personalized voice recording (10–30 minutes depending on project scope) where I walk you through your story’s strengths, challenges, and most important next steps.

Available with most packages upon request ; just let me know at booking!

Love from clients...

David Horn
David Horn
Writer of JJ Sharple's Mysteries
Extremely caring, thorough and supremely skilled editor and sensitivity reader! Super down to earth and understanding as well, so feedback is relatable and useful! Will use again!
Crystal J. Bell
Crystal J. Bell
Author of Lamplighter
"Y'all, Ari is a phenomenal editor. She brought to my attention what wasn't working in my MS in such a respectful manner while giving me ideas to solve the issues. She nailed it. Like... she gave me glasses and suddenly I can see. That good."
Kanvi Sharma
Kanvi Sharma
MBA Student
"I had the opportunity to use Ari's editorial services for my grad school application essays, and I cannot express enough how positive my experience was. From day one, Ari took the time to understand not only the university's requirements but also my personal concerns and aspirations. She helped me communicate my stories clearly and concisely, ensuring that my essays were free of grammatical mistakes and directly addressed the prompts. Throughout the entire process, Ari was incredibly communicative, providing detailed feedback and suggestions that were always backed by thoughtful reasoning. Her insights were invaluable in helping me refine my ideas and present my experiences in the best light possible. What I appreciated most was her subject matter expertise, kindness, and collaborative spirit. Working with Ari was not only productive but also enjoyable, making the often-stressful application process feel much more manageable. I truly felt supported every step of the way. I highly recommend her editorial services to anyone looking to effectively communicate their stories to the world without losing their authenticity. Thank you, Ari, for your exceptional support! 🙂 Update: I got into the MBA program!"
K.J. Harrowick
K.J. Harrowick
Author of Light Beyond the Glass
"Ari is absolutely wonderful! I hired her to proofread my story, a dark science fantasy with deep world-building. The tale had already been through critiques and edits, and Ari still found places to tighten and clean. She’s got such a keen editor’s eye and anyone would be lucky to have her pass through their story. Hire her!"​
Bernardo Álvarez Monjaras
Bernardo Álvarez Monjaras
Author of ELDRITCH CENTURY: THE DEPTHS & LORDS OF VAALA
"Ari has a fantastic way to invite writers to give it another go. She cares about intended meaning and suggests other perspectives to decisions that don't ring ideal, but always keeping power and choice on the writer. Working alongside Ari as your editor is ensuring your grasp over your own universe and story. Her process for more complicated things is closer to a curious, honest conversation, so as to better understand the universe at work. She is always easy to reach and a joy to work with just as often."
J.L. Burrows
J.L. Burrows
Author of Hunted By Darkness
"Ari is an AMAZING EDITOR! If you need an editor - you know, the kind that gets everything in one sweep, the kind that makes you cry because they get your book and preserve your style, the kind that gets to the heart - She's AMAZING!"
Avhlee Guyton-White
Avhlee Guyton-White
Currently writing Edge of Dawn
"Ari is the best editor I have ever had the honor of working with. From developmental edits to brainstorming sessions, she will be there with you through it all. Ari offers not only skills from the publishing industry, but also the unique skills of a long time reader. The array of services offered allows you to pick exactly what package will best suit the needs of your story. Ari's passion for the written world and dedication to helping authors develop their careers comes through in every conversation. No question is too small, no problem is too large to handle. Not only have my stories improved massively by being in her expert hands, but I feel like I've grown more as a writer thanks to Ari's wealth of knowledge. If you're a writer, publisher, or business looking for a top notch editor - look no further."
T.L. Martin
T.L. Martin
Author of Touched By Death
"This was one of the fastest, most detailed, and kindest beta reads I’ve had so far. She caught a bunch of tricky typos that even two other editors missed, and her feedback came with super helpful examples that really fit my voice and vision. Honestly, her rates feel way too low for how much she gives...I feel like I've robbed her (???). Working with her on Touched By Death was such a great experience, and I’m really thankful we got to collaborate."
Erin Wilkerson
Erin Wilkerson
Author of Resonate
"Ari has this beautiful way of pointing out problems in my MS without discouraging me or making me feel like a "bad writer". More than just a good editor, she's supportive. Like a cheerleader, she gets me excited and ready to write! Her suggestions are so clear and concise, but if I still have questions she's there to brainstorm with a bounce ideas off. I've had three rewrites on my current MS and I am so happy with the end result, which I know I wouldn't have without Ari. I'm so happy with it! And it's because of her."
Scott Baron
Scott Baron
Author of Pushing Daisy
"Most beta readers either miss the forest for the trees or vice versa. Ari? She catches everything. Meticulous without being brutal, thorough without being pedantic, she flagged everything from subtle punctuatuin issues missed by my other editors to worldbuilding inconsistencies. Her feedback was the perfect blend of sharp critique and genuine enthusiasm, and it's the kind that makes you excited to revise and publish. I've worked with Ari for a couple of years now, and I've never regretted it."
Scott Petty
Scott Petty
THE PHANTASTICAL TALE OF ASTER & HIS RED GEM
"Hiring an editor can be a costly endeavor. It can take a decent chunk of time as well. Both of which a self-publishing author can feel short on most of the time, but after a sample edit I felt much more confident investing time and money with Ari. Not only is she pleasant in her communications, her editing style was just what I needed and wanted. Being the type of person that I am, I wanted direct, honest critiques, but I'm kind of on the sensitive side. Ari was able to weave together feedback that was valuable, and congenial without being coddling. Her remarks on my manuscript were detailed and, my favorite part, she took time to explain why she felt a certain change would be beneficial. There were not evaluations on my work. There was only story craft. I learned a lot from the edits she produced. I am confident that the next story will be much improved because of Ari's instruction and feedback." Her feedback was the perfect blend of sharp critique and genuine enthusiasm, and it's the kind that makes you excited to revise and publish. I've worked with Ari for a couple of years now, and I've never regretted it."
It’s time to feel confident again in your story.

Your story doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful.

At Story Alchemy Editing, I help writers reconnect with the heart of their work so it resonates deeply with them and their intended readers. Whether you're mid-draft or knee-deep in revisions, you deserve feedback that helps you move forward without losing what makes your story matter.
WORK WITH ME