Avery Naughton Editorial
Hello! My name is Avery, and I am a professional freelance editor and writer with 8+ years experience in traditional publishing. I specialize in developmental editing, line editing, proofreading, and content refinement.
I believe that the best editors are the best listeners and communicators. With every project, I bring a sharp eye for: tone, pacing, character development, reading level, and consistency. I understand that each author's approach is unique, and I do my best to meet you where you are in your process to help you achieve your goals. Let’s make something you’re exceptionally proud of together.
EDITING SERVICES
I have nearly a decade of experience in fiction and non-fiction publishing as an editor with the Smithsonian and National Geographic Kids Books.
When working with me on your writing projects, you can expect clarity, kindness, timeliness, and professionalism. My goal is to make sure that your manuscript is in the best place it can be. I seek to make editing your project a tailor-made and collaborative experience. I know how personal writing is, and I take it as an honor to see your work.
I am happy to edit a variety of writing projects, including full-length fiction and non-fiction book manuscripts of all genres. I also edit: blogs, website content, marketing materials, magazine articles, essays, query letters, brochures, and guides.
I offer discounts for "bundling" if you'd like me to perform multiple editing services.
Trusted experience
Editorial takeaways
Project types
Editorial servies breakdown
Developmental Editing - $0.016 per word
Examine the plot, pacing, character development, structure, tone, and potential plot holes. I will provide overall feedback. This is generally the first type of editing to perform after completing your manuscript.
Copy Editing - $0.013 per word
Generally the second step in the editing process, copy editing involves editing for sentence flow and structure, style, consistency, and grammar. This includes editing the book at a line-by-line level.
Proofreading - $0.011 per word
Usually the last step in the editing process, proofreading ensures your book is ready for your reader. It includes fixing any typos, grammatical errors, formatting errors, and any final, lingering problems.
Beta Reading - $0.0015 per word
Beta reading involves providing constructive comments on your overall book. This step is a precursor to in-depth edits, and typically comes before developmental edits.
Flexibility
DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING
Pricing:
$0.016 per word
Process:
I will examine the plot, pacing, character development, structure, tone, and potential plot holes. Developmental edits answer the"big picture" questions of your manuscript, and include overall feedback. This is generally the first type of editing to perform after completing your manuscript. For every developmental edit, I read your manuscript twice through.
Deliverable:
A Word Document with abundant comments in the margins and a 10-40 page editorial letter, which goes into detail about suggested changes and areas of improvement, items that are currently working very well, and next steps for your manuscript. Developmental editing does not include grammar, spelling, or formatting edits, which are covered in copy editing.
I can work on the developmental edit all at once, or we can "batch" the manuscript and go a few chapters by chapters.
COPY EDITING
Pricing:
$0.013 per word
Process:
Generally the second step in the editing process, copy editing involves editing for sentence flow and structure, style, consistency, and grammar. This includes looking at the book at a line-by-line level.
Deliverable:
A Word Document with red-lined tracked changes and a 1-3 page editorial note with the most common corrections and changes.
I suggest working on copy editing the entire manuscript at one time.
PROOFREADING
Pricing:
$0.011 per word
Process:
Usually the last step in the editing process, proofreading ensures your book is ready for your reader. It includes fixing any typos, grammatical errors, formatting errors, and any final, lingering problems.
Deliverable:
A Word Document with red-lined tracked changes and a 1-3 page editorial note with the most common corrections and changes.
I suggest working on proofreading the entire manuscript at one time.
WRITING SERVICES
My writing has appeared in the Explorer Academy series, the Cutest Animals on the Planet franchise, Predators: A Smithsonian Coloring Book, and Smithsonian trivia sets. I have also worked on 50+ marketing materials including back cover copies and TI sheets.
I hope to get the privilege of collaborating with you. Please feel free to reach out to me with any writing inquiries.
ABOUT AVERY
Avery Naughton is a freelance editor with nearly a decade of experience in traditional publishing at National Geographic and the Smithsonian. She holds a degree from Carleton College. Originally from San Diego, she now resides in Washington, D.C.
Growing up, she was always storytelling in one form or another, from writing silly poems about animals to penning op-eds for her school newspaper.
Outside of work, she loves—you guessed it—reading both fiction and non-fiction books (her favorite authors are Lisa See, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Madeline Miller, and Pat Conroy). Whenever she gets the chance, she loves traveling. So far, her favorite destinations are Japan, Tanzania, Namibia, Egypt, and Italy. She spends as much time as she can with her rescue dog, Pickles, who is the cuddliest and most co-dependent big dog she has ever met. When editing your manuscript, there's no doubt she will have an extra set of eyes on it in the form of Pickles begging for treats.
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EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION
B.A. Carleton College, History
EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION
B.A. Carleton College, History
I graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude from Carleton College.
National Geographic Books, Editor
I worked as a book editor in the National Geographic Books division.
I managed roughly ten-fifteen projects at a time, including both fiction and nonfiction titles. I found and hired authors, pitched and developed book ideas, proposed and managed budgets, edited manuscripts, and wrote marketing material for each book. Projects include New York Times Bestseller Greeking Out and the Explorer Academy Series.
Smithsonian Licensed Publishing, Editor
I was a book editor at the world's largest museum and research complex. Within the licensed publishing team, I collaborated with notable publishing partners like DK and Penguin Random House to brainstorm book ideas, develop proposals, edit and review projects, and mitigate curatorial feedback.
TESTIMONIALS
01
"I am so pleased with Avery's work! She was organized, helpful, super easy to work with, and very timely with answering questions. She was meticulous with detail within the manuscript and also with managing her set deadlines. She always got things back to me prior to the deadline. I never had to chase down anything she was doing, nor did I ever wonder or doubt her amazing feedback on the manuscript. I wish I was working on a second book so that I could continue working with her. Initially, I asked her to plan on having milestone meetings after each milestone to be sure we were progressing on the same page. We had one - and that was all that was needed because we worked together seamlessly. This was the best possible experience I could have had with my first time working with a developmental editor. I highly recommend Avery for any type of project like this. She is friendly, professional, and extremely organized."
02
"Avery is incredible. I wish I had used her as my copy editor instead of just proofreading. Her notes were invaluable and her edits were spot on. I've already recommended her to two other writers less than a week after the job completed. Amazing work!"
03
"Avery was absolutely brilliant. She was extremely thorough and detailed, and provided feedback that significantly improved the overall composition of my work. I’d hire her over and over again for copy edit or proofreading. She’s a must-hire. I’m so glad I found her!"
04
"Avery's insights have transformed my writing. I appreciate that her feedback was not only constructive, but also conveyed with genuine care for my growth. Additionally, I value her commitment to excellence in all three of my projects."
05
"Ms. Naughton is exceptionally professional and thorough. As a first time author, this is all new territory and like most, if not all writers, our stories are so personal. Ms. Naughton, in a few brief email exchanges explained her process, gave a projected completion date and more importantly she cared and treated my project as her own. Her multi-layered work was completed ahead of schedule and the detail and attention of her work says so much about her and her commitment as an editor. I hope to work her again."
CONTACT ME
Please feel free to email me at naughtonavery@gmail.com, or reach out via the form below and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Please describe your project in the email or form with: 1) a one-paragraph synopsis of the manuscript, 2) total word count of your manuscript, 3) desired timeline for my edits, and 4) the type of service (or services) you're looking for, whether that be developmental editing, copyediting, proofreading, and/or beta reading.