Coaching & Editing

The Writerspace offers a range of writing support, from short-term grammatical editing to long-term creative coaching.  This support is appropriate for professional and aspiring fiction and non-fiction writers alike.  Most clients use a combination of the following services to achieve their requirements:

  • Manuscript Reports
  • Creative Coaching
  • Stylistic Editing

Whatever your needs, The Writerspace will tailor a package to help you achieve your writing goals with open, honest, one-to-one guidance and support throughout the process.

Manuscript Reports

A Manuscript Report is often the first step in writing coaching and is an individual response to your manuscript.  As such, it can be adapted to address any specific issues of your choice.  The report provides you with an overall impression of your text and usually includes some or all of the following:Style
  • Point of View
  • Early Chapters (submission package)
  • Structure
  • Plotting/content
  • Characters
  • Dialogue
  • Final Chapters
  • Reader Interpretation
After receiving their Manuscript Report, many clients go on to pursue Creative Coaching and/or Stylistic Editing to develop their work further.

Creative Coaching


Creative Coaching provides you with supportive coaching and mentoring as you write and edit your manuscript.  This one-to-one relationship focuses on your personal requirements, helping you to achieve your writing goals.  These goals may be general or specific, but often involve the following:
  • Reader Interpretation
  • Plot Development
  • Character Consistency
  • Dialogue
  • Pace
  • Narrative Viewpoint
As wells as supporting the development of your writing, coaching also supports you as a writer.  As such, the coaching relationship can also include goals relating to:

  • Confidence
  • Motivation
  • Planning
  • Organisation and Time Management
Once your writing goals have been established, coaching usually takes place via email, with telephone support as required.  Amendments, comments and suggestions are generally made directly onto your document using the 'review' feature.  These can then be accepted or altered at your discretion, leaving you in complete control of your manuscript.

Stylistic Editing


"You should be aware that many publishers nowadays do not use copy-editors and rely on the author to provide an error-free typescript."
(The Writers' and Artists' Yearbook 2008)

Stylistic Editing is a popular choice among both fiction and non-fiction writers, especially when preparing a text for submission to an agent or publisher.  Focussing on the grammar, style and formatting or your work, it leaves you free to concentrate on the content.

Most packages concentrate on one or more of the following:

  • Punctuation
  • Grammar
  • Spelling
  • Formatting
  • Layout
  • Comprehension
  • Sentence Structure
  • Consistency of Voice/Tone
After an initial consultation to determine your requirements, work usually progresses via email, with telephone support as required.  Amendments, comments and suggestions are generally made directly onto your document using the 'review' feature.  These can then be accepted or altered at your discretion, leaving you in complete control of your manuscript.