Finish, Polish & Publish
your book with confidence
About the Editor
Lyndsay Stanley, Developmental & Line Book Editor
With over 10 years in the publishing world, I've worked across genres — from nonfiction to fiction, indie authors to publishing companies. But fiction is where my heart has always been, and I'm now focusing my practice there, especially for debut novelists writing their very first book.
There's nothing quite like watching a first-time author turn a rough draft into a story they're proud to put into the world — and that's exactly the work I want to be doing more of.
Storytelling is my heart and soul, and helping debut fiction writers craft their best work is what keeps me going. Whether you're deep in your first draft or getting ready to query, I've got your back!
Work with me
I currently have availability for two full manuscript submissions starting September 1, 2026.
Fiction novels of any size or genre are welcome.
My [Current] Wishlist
Fantasy: Character-driven plots, morally grey protagonists, high-stakes emotional choices, and atmospheric world-building.
Dark Romance: Closed-door tension, deep psychological dynamics, shifting loyalties, and intense emotional power struggles.
Sci-Fi: Character-first survival or speculative scenarios exploring human connection, identity, and isolation under pressure.
Contemporary Romance: Closed-door, emotionally layered stories featuring sharp dialogue, realistic character growth, and high interpersonal stakes.
Sweeping Historical Dramas: Broad, evocative narratives focusing on complex family dynamics, long-held secrets, and tested loyalties across pivotal eras.
Services
Explore our range of services designed to help you move forward with confidence, wherever you're headed next.
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Strengthen your story’s foundation with expert developmental editing. We’ll refine your plot structure, character arcs, pacing, and point of view—sharpening key narrative hooks to keep your readers captivated.
Includes: In-margin notes & suggestions + Detailed Editor’s Report with my analysis, reasoning and suggested Revision Plan.
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Fine-tune your prose at the line level (Note: Line editing focuses on style and voice, which is distinct from technical copyediting and final proofreading). We’ll polish sentence structure, enhance dialogue flow, smooth transitions, and elevate your authorial voice while preserving the heart of your story.
Includes: Editor’s comments and suggestions in the margins of your manuscript
Red line edits [if necessary and agreed upon]
Editor’s Report with my analysis of the story and its marketability.
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We can take your black and white word document and turn it into something unique. This service includes designed chapter title pages, unique fonts, and designed front and back matter (author profile pages, requests for reviews, promos of other published material, acknowledgement pages, etc).
Includes: 5 Original AI-free Typeset Templates to choose from which vary in font, layout and graphic style.
Publishing industry standard typeset including appropriate gutters, margins, etc.
Upload ready PDF files
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Bring your story to life with a custom cover that grabs attention on every bookshelf and feed. From atmospheric imagery to striking typography, each cover is custom-crafted to reflect your book’s unique genre and mood. (Note: All covers are created using 100% human-designed art and licensed stock assets—never AI.)
Includes:
Up to 5 cover designs to choose from
Paperback, Hardcover, Dust-Jacket and eBook designs.
Upload ready PDF & jpeg files.
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Navigate the indie publishing world with confidence. Whether you’re figuring out upload requirements, planning your launch timeline, or trying to make sense of metadata and categories, custom coaching provides tailored, step-by-step guidance. You get a clear, actionable roadmap and dedicated 1-on-1 support to turn the daunting logistics of self-publishing into an empowering process.
Includes: Unlimited coaching calls that will guide you through the KDP upload process. We also have experience with: Ingram Spark, Barnes & Noble, Draft2Digital, Lulu Self-Publishing and more.
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Want to try your hand at traditional publishing? Always dreamed of landing an agent? Standing out in a busy slush pile takes a pitch that balances storytelling with business strategy. We’ll help you translate your manuscript’s heart into a sharp query letter, captivating synopsis, or comprehensive book proposal that captures an agent’s attention from the very first sentence.
Includes:
Professional Query Letter with 2 revisions
Full Book Proposal Package
List of 25-50 publishers ready to accept your manuscript.
Request a free sample edit to see if we’re the right fit for your manuscript.
“Lyndsay was an absolute joy to work with for this project! She is prompt with communication, easy to connect with and open to feedback, pays attention to detail while offering expert feedback, and a very pleasant person. because of her talents and gifts, I was able to achieve my goals with this project. I definitely plan to remain in contact with her for future endeavors.”
Shabria Mayne
“Lyndsay is an exceptional professional. Her attention to detail, dedication to delivering results, and overall professionalism exceeded my expectations. She communicated effectively throughout the entire process, ensuring everything stayed on track and providing continued support. I highly recommend Lyndsay—she's experienced, knowledgeable, efficient, and a pleasure to work with”
M. Ibrahim
“Lyndsay is an absolute professional and an exceptional editor. We have worked together on and off for over a year, and her dedication is unmatched. What stands out most is that she never gave up on me. She consistently motivates me, keeps me on track, and sends gentle reminders when I need them. Her deep professionalism has generated immense trust. Where other freelancers might have walked away, Lyndsay stuck by me. I highly recommend her talent and loyalty to anyone!"
Franca V.
“Lyndsay provided incredibly valuable feedback and thoughtful insights that elevated my story to a whole new level. Her approach is uniquely perceptive, and she brought clarity and depth to my work in ways I hadn't considered. I'd absolutely work with her again and highly recommend her services!"
Nathan Thomas
“I’ve worked with Lyndsay for almost two years as an editor on my children’s book series and have found her diligent and genuinely invested in her work. She never misses a deadline and is always punctual, organized and flexible. If your timeline changes, she adapts easily. She has a keen eye for plot, character development and formatting, with a strong sense of what will resonate with your target audience. Beyond editing, Lyndsay has a real gift for the creative side of publishing! She has a great eye for design and typography and knows how to turn an idea into marketing copy that catches your attention. My first book received 5/5 from Readers’ Favorite in the ‘Appearance’ category and an ‘A’ from BookLife Reviews for its design and typography, which says a lot! She has a knack for choosing fonts and color combinations that fit the personality of a book. She creates great content for social media and digital platforms, helping your book keep a strong, consistent look. Lyndsay also keeps up with tropes, websites and industry trends, and her information booklets and editor’s reports are incredibly thorough. She’s wonderfully imaginative and a cut above the rest!”