Services
Variety can make it hard to choose…
Main Menu & Rates
The ingredients to spice up your masterpiece
Developmental Editing
Developmental editing involves reading the entire manuscript while making notes on plot, characters, pacing, and worldbuilding. Then taking a magnifying glass and looking back on the text a second time, deciding if all the through-threads work, or if any are frayed.
This is the newest tool in this editor's toolbox, and so this service is being offered at 50% off—for now.
Process
1. A 5,000-word non-refundable developmental edit
2. Contract
3. Pre-edit author-editor chat
4. Dev editing begins - editor may ask questions
5. Editor writes up guide document
6. Editor does a second pass on the manuscript
7. Editor writes an edit letter for the author to implement
8. After-edit author-editor chat
Includes
2 1-hour video calls
1 guide document (helps to see the overall story)
1 edit letter with overview of work and changes
1 full manuscript with notes in Microsoft Word
~ giddy chats and inquiries on Discord
Rate
Temporarily 50% off
$0.031 USD per word
100,000 words = $3,100 or about $20/hour
Line Editing
Line editing involves thinking about the story line-by-line while making notes on plot, characters, pacing, and worldbuilding. The editor is homed in on consistency of character, details of world and logic, tone of voice, clarity, and pacing. The editor isn't looking at "Is this plot good?" so much as "Is this scene good?" and "Is this line good?"—"Does it make readers feel what the author intends for them to feel?" and "Does this paragraph serve and honor the plot?"
Expect lots of notes as the editor sniffs around for any weak words, sentences, or paragraphs that undermine the intention of the author, story, or characters.
All edits suggested by the editor are at the author's mercy. It's your story, and you can reject or modify anything at will.
Process
1. A 5,000-word non-refundable developmental edit
2. Contract
3. Pre-edit author-editor chat
4. Line editing begins - editor may ask questions
5. Editor writes up guide document
6. Editor writes an edit letter for the author to implement
7. After-edit author-editor chat
Includes
2 1-hour video calls
1 edit letter with overview of work and changes
1 full manuscript with notes in Microsoft Word
~ giddy chats and inquiries on Discord
Rate
$0.048 USD per word
100,000 words = $4,800 or about $48/hour
Copy Editing & Proofreading
Copy editing for our purposes also includes proofreading. In this one service, you will get both. The result is a polished manuscript.
Mariah rarely performs "just" a copy edit or "just" a proofread—hence why she doesn't offer proofreading as its own service. Mariah has always found that a proofread is a copy edit, a copy edit is a line edit, and a line edit includes a developmental edit built-in. Mariah's level of care means she cannot do anything part-way.
After undergoing a copy edit, your manuscript will return to you full of red ink (or, more accurately, with edits in the margins using Microsoft Word's Track Changes—or Google Doc's Suggesting mode if you insist) and with a smattering of digital sticky notes on various topics. The edit will focus on grammar, spelling, format, style, syntax, and clarity.
Process
1. A 1,000-word non-refundable copy edit
2. Contract
3. Pre-edit author-editor chat
4. Copy editing begins - editor may ask questions
5. Editor returns manuscript with changes marked
6. Author may ask questions on Discord
Includes
1 30-minute video call
1 full manuscript with notes in Microsoft Word
Rate
$0.036 USD per word
100,000 words = $3,600 or about $72/hour*
*Note that copy editing requires an intense eye for detail, and so copy editing cannot be performed for the typical 8 hours per day due to eye strain and extended focus.
5,000-Word Developmental Edit (Sample or Mini Edit)
In order to assess whether or not you like your editor's style, this sample or mini edit can be purchased separately before you commit to the full thing. If you choose to work with Mariah after the sample edit is complete, this fee will be deducted from the cost of the full developmental or line edit.
If you have a short story you'd like to have developmentally edited, you can round your word count and invest in this mini developmental edit before publishing.
It can be difficult to parse developmental issues in a 100K-word manuscript based on a 5K-word sample, but enough work can be done to give you a sense of whether or not you wish to proceed. Additionally, as Mariah recommends this edit be of your first 5,000 words, you will get shining opening chapters no matter what.
Process
1. Email the editor either your entire manuscript or the first 5,000 words. The opening of your book does the most work to capture readers and agents.
2. Receive feedback and decide if you want to implement Mariah's edits or modify them with your own ideas.
3. If you decide to employ Mariah for the full developmental or line edit, return these 5K words with your new changes and Mariah will re-check them during the full dev or line edit!
Includes
1 mini edit letter with overview of work and changes
5K words with notes in Microsoft Word or Google Docs
~ giddy chats and inquiries on Discord
Rate
$245 flat fee*
5,000 words at about $60/hour
*This fee is subtracted from your word count rate if you choose to purchase the full developmental or line edit.
This fee is also non-refundable once the work is complete.
1,000-Word Copy Edit (Sample or Mini Edit)
Wild grammar hooligans and typos you didn't see in the dark are climbing all over your precious pages. Mariah is here to wrangle them for you.
Use this sample or mini edit to decide if you might benefit from a dose of red ink!
Process
1. Send your full manuscript (recommended)
2. The editor chooses 1K words at random
3. The edits are returned to you
4. If you decide to employ Mariah for a full copy edit of your manuscript, she'll be glad to oblige!
Includes
1,000 words with Tracked Changes in Microsoft Word or Suggestions in Google Docs
Rate
$80 flat fee
1,000 words at about $70/hour
Book Layout & Design
Chapter headings, leading, kerning, beautiful fonts, shocking fonts, captivating swirls—Mariah loves typography, and though she's used to formatting comics and gaming posters, she adores arranging the elements of your tomes.
This is the second-newest tool in this editor's toolbox, and so this service is being offered at 30% off—for now.
Process
1. Contract
2. Email over your completed, final manuscript
3. Pre-formatting author-editor chat (provide any inspiration or requests here)
4. Approve Mariah's font choices
5. Approve design
6. Receive the finished, print-ready book file!
Includes
1 30-minute video call
3 mockup designs to choose from based on your ideas
~ fully licensed fonts & graphics
1 fully formatted manuscript ready for the printers
~ giddy chats and inquiries on Discord
Rate
Temporarily 30% off
$0.007 USD per word
100,000 words = $700 or about $22/hour
Query & Synopsis Aid
Queries are usually 200-350 words, and single-page synopses around 500. Mariah will evaluate for effectiveness, hook, clarity, tone, grammar, spelling, and structure.
Having assessed dozens of queries as a 2026 History Through Fiction Acquisitions Fellow, Mariah knows what it takes to stand out.
Process
1. Send over your pitch materials
2. Receive edits and notes
3. Implement your changes as you please
Includes
1 ~250-word query with notes in the margins
1 ~500-word synopsis with notes in the margins
1 document of suggestions, comments, and inquiries from the editor
Rate
$80 USD flat fee
~800 words at about $40/hour
À La Carte Video Call or Chat
If you'd like to take some extra time to chat with your editor during or after the editing work, additional video call sessions can be arranged at 1 hour apiece.
As a note: If you're camera shy, these sessions can take the form of a live Discord text chat.
Process
1. Reach out with your request
2. Choose a time with your editor
3. Have fun!
Includes
1 1-hour video call - OR -
~ an exclusive one-on-one on Discord
Rate
$80 USD flat fee
~1 hour* at the flat fee
*There is no extra cost if the meeting runs long
Résumé & More
Mariah is well-equipped to proofread and offer substantive suggestions to your most important documents.
Process
1. Reach out with the short contact form
2. Agree on fees & scope of work
3. Send in your materials
4. Receive feedback
Includes
1 round of feedback including textual and content edits
Rate
$30 USD for a résumé
$30 USD for a cover letter
$30 USD for a website
$0.032/word USD for a scholarship application
Tools of the Trade
A witch usually keeps some secrets, but this editor can't think of any.
Reference & Style Guides
Editors use 3 main guides to determine what corrections to make in a text:
1. The author's preferences on formatting and spelling. For example, fairy vs. fairie, fae vs. fey.
2. The Chicago Manual of Style: The guidebook on grammar used by traditional fiction publishers such as Penguin Random House. (Mariah stays current with updates to the guide.)
3. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary: Provides standardized spellings for traditional fiction publishers—including the Big 5.
Software & Apps
The editor uses these digital tools, so please ensure your materials are in the correct digital format.
Editing Text
⁕ Microsoft Word's Tracked Changes*
⁕ Google Doc's Suggesting mode
⁕ Apple Pages's Track Changes
*Microsoft Word is industry standard
Editing Comics
⁕ Google Drive PDF Viewer (to leave comments)
⁕ Adobe Acrobat PDF Viewer (to leave comments)
File Transfer & Storage
⁕ Email files directly
⁕ Google Drive or Dropbox
⁕ Mariah will download the files to work offline
Communication
⁕ Google Meet for video calls
⁕ Discord for live chats
⁕ Email for important information
Payment Methods
The editor accepts these flexible payment methods.
Stripe – USA Choice*
⁕ ACH preferred when possible (but no pressure!)
⁕ Credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc. accepted
*"Choice" because it has slightly lower fees
PayPal – International Choice*
⁕ ACH preferred when possible (but no pressure!)
⁕ Includes Venmo
*"Choice" because it's reliable internationally
Payment Plans
The editor accepts these payment plans.
Developmental or Line Editing
1. 5,000-Word Developmental Edit Sample (required upfront)
50%-50%
2. 50% due at the pre-edit author-editor chat
3. 50% due at the post-edit author-editor chat
25%-50%-25%
2. 25% due at the pre-edit author-editor chat
3. 50% due prior to return of edited materials
4. 25% due within 5 weeks of returned materials
Copy Editing & Proofreading
1. 1,000-Word Copy Edit Sample (required upfront)
50%-50%
2. 50% due at the pre-edit author-editor chat
3. 50% due prior to return of edited materials
25%-50%-25%
2. 25% due at the pre-edit author-editor chat
3. 50% due prior to return of edited materials
4. 25% due within 5 weeks of returned materials
Book Layout & Design
50%-50%
1. 50% due at the pre-formatting author-editor chat
2. 50% due prior to receiving the print file
50%-25%-25%
1. 50% due at the pre-formatting author-editor chat*
2. 25% due upon approval of design
3. 25% due within 5 weeks of receiving the print file
*Due to the cost of licensing fonts & graphics
Turnaround Time
Mariah prefers to book plenty of time for each project and deliver results early as opposed to late. Please allow for ample time due to the brain-intensive nature of editing.
Most projects should expect to be completed within 1-3 months.
For epics, please expect up to 6 months.
AI Policy for Editing
This editor will not run your project through any AI chatbots for any reason. However, Microsoft Word and other text-editing programs do use built-in AI spellcheckers these days—whether we like it or not. The editor finds it amusing when Microsoft Word says she's misspelled the word "the" and will use her intellect over that of a robot.
Testimonials
Mariah is a fantastic editor to work with! Her attention to detail when it comes to your manuscript is second to none. Not only is she respectful of your work, her keen analytical skills point out issues you wouldn't have even thought of, so that you can improve your story to the best it can be. I felt like I truly had a champion in my corner when working with Mariah, and am keen to work with her again one day soon.
☾ Hadiyah Sama, author
hadiyahsama.co.uk
Mariah has a truly unmatched eye for detail. She considers every possible aspect in the process, making sure everything is correct AND consistent. She truly cares very deeply about the end result being the best it can possibly be, and never forgets that the most important thing above all is the author's voice and intentions. Her feedback and willingness to collaborate has always been utterly invaluable to me, and I'm extremely grateful for every opportunity I had to work with her on a title at Tapas.
☾ Roran Thorne, editor
linkedin.com/in/roran-t-4782a9278
When I was doing my beta read for my novel, Mariah was an absolute joy to work with. She felt as passionate about the project as I did, and her investment in the stories and character made it feel more like just another reader enjoying the story rather than someone working for the sake of working. I would highly recommend Mariah for any and all beta reading/editing work you may need, because her investment in the work makes it all feel worthwhile.
☾ Angela Cherise Dixon, author
Of all the editors I worked with at Tapas, no one went the extra mile like Mariah. She was the expert on forms of address among commoners and nobility in romance fantasy titles, did extra research on historical linguistic accuracy, helped the team figure out the best ways to express idioms and other linguistic quirks for an American audience, and left extensive helpful comments in her edits to make sure everyone was always on the same page. Working with Mariah always gave me a sense of security, because I knew I could trust her not only to do quality work, but to communicate her reasoning and even educate us all about details we might not have been familiar with, ultimately making us all better at our jobs. She has been a delight to work with in every way, and while I will miss our time working together, I have no doubt that she is destined for bigger and better things.
☾ Ryan Levere, editor
linkedin.com/in/ryan-lereve-385184414
Edited Works
Line Editing & Copy Editing
![CoverArt_[Although-Reckless(Novel)]](https://mariahbstory.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/CoverArt_Although-RecklessNovel.jpg)
![CoverArt_n_[To-My-Rude-Darling-with-Multiple-Personalities(Novel)]](https://mariahbstory.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/CoverArt_n_To-My-Rude-Darling-with-Multiple-PersonalitiesNovel.jpg)
![CoverArt_n_[Doctor-Elise(Novel)]](https://mariahbstory.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/CoverArt_n_Doctor-EliseNovel.jpg)
![CoverArt_n_[I-Need-to-Raise-My-Younger-Sister-Right(Novel)]](https://mariahbstory.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/CoverArt_n_I-Need-to-Raise-My-Younger-Sister-RightNovel.jpg)
![CoverArt_[Mistaken for the Villain’s Lover]](https://mariahbstory.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/CoverArt_Mistaken-for-the-Villains-Lover.jpg)
![CoverArt_[The-Prince-Doesn’t-Cry-Over-Onions]](https://mariahbstory.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/CoverArt_The-Prince-Doesnt-Cry-Over-Onions.jpg)
![CoverArt_[Alisa and the Magical Diary]](https://mariahbstory.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/CoverArt_Alisa-and-the-Magical-Diary.jpg)
![CoverArt_[High-Level-Manipulator-Transmigrates-into-a-Poor-Defenseless-Girl]](https://mariahbstory.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/CoverArt_High-Level-Manipulator-Transmigrates-into-a-Poor-Defenseless-Girl.jpg)
![CoverArt_[How to Reject the Perfect Marriage]](https://mariahbstory.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/CoverArt_How-to-Reject-the-Perfect-Marriage.jpg)
![CoverArt_[I_Became_the_Target_of_the_Male_Leads]](https://mariahbstory.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/CoverArt_I_Became_the_Target_of_the_Male_Leads.jpg)
![CoverArt_[The Male Lead Is Obsessed with Proposing]](https://mariahbstory.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/CoverArt_The-Male-Lead-Is-Obsessed-with-Proposing.jpg)
![CoverArt_[Unblockable Romance]](https://mariahbstory.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/CoverArt_Unblockable-Romance.png)
![Copy of CoverArt_[Into-the-Light,-Once-Again(Novel)]](https://mariahbstory.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Copy-of-CoverArt_Into-the-Light-Once-AgainNovel.jpg)
![CoverArt_[Duchess-in-the-Glass-House(Novel)]](https://mariahbstory.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/CoverArt_Duchess-in-the-Glass-HouseNovel.jpg)
![CoverArt_n_[This-Villainess-Wants-a-Divorce!(Novel)]](https://mariahbstory.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/CoverArt_n_This-Villainess-Wants-a-DivorceNovel.jpg)
![CoverArt_n_[Who-Made-Me-a-Princess]](https://mariahbstory.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/CoverArt_n_Who-Made-Me-a-Princess.jpg)
![CoverArt_[The-Housekeeper-of-the-Dungeon(Novel)]](https://mariahbstory.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/CoverArt_The-Housekeeper-of-the-DungeonNovel.jpg)
Webnovels and webtoons edited for Tapas Entertainment will no longer be available on the app or website as of March 2027. For a peek at these titles for the purpose of determining Mariah's experience and ability, please send her an inquiry.
Credits
![[1-Step]Webnovel_To My Rude Darling with Multiple Personalities](https://mariahbstory.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/1-StepWebnovel_To-My-Rude-Darling-with-Multiple-Personalities.jpg)
![[2-Step]Webnovel_Doctor Elise](https://mariahbstory.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2-StepWebnovel_Doctor-Elise.jpg)
![[2-Step]Webnovel_Unblockable Romance](https://mariahbstory.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/2-StepWebnovel_Unblockable-Romance.jpg)
![[1-Step]Webnovel_The Viridescent Tiara_](https://mariahbstory.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/1-StepWebnovel_The-Viridescent-Tiara_.jpg)
