Elizabeth Leiro

Hello, I'm so happy you're here!I’m Elizabeth, a professional editor with a passion for storytelling and working with fellow storytellers. I understand how sensitive it can be to share your writing with a stranger for the first time, and I am here to help make every step as comfortable as possible for you.The right editor will help you enhance your voice, polish your prose, and avoid publishing embarrassing errors. You can only make a first impression on your readers once. Why not make the best first impression possible?Check out my Services and Contact me today!

Professional Editing Services with a Personal Touch for Fiction Authors

About

Hello,My name is Elizabeth Leiro! I am a professional editor who lives in Los Angeles, CA, with my husband and two young children.I received my bachelor’s degree from the University of San Diego with a double major in communication studies and Spanish with a minor in English. In early 2023, I completed the UC San Diego Extended Studies copyediting certificate program along with an elective class pertaining to editing works of fiction.As a lifelong reader and writer, I have always had a deep love for stories. Through my services, I will provide you with the support and confidence you need to indie publish or pursue traditional publication. My goal is to help you put your best word forward.In my free time, I love to work on my own novels, work my way through my TBR, rewatch my favorite shows, work on Sudoku puzzles, or play video games (especially The Sims 4, Civilization VI, Assassin’s Creed, and Disney Dreamlight Valley).I am constantly continuing my education in editing by having regular meetings with fellow editors, reading extensively, taking classes, and attending presentations or conferences via professional editorial associations.Please reach out to me with any questions you may have about the editorial process or if you need help deciding what type of editing you may need. I would love the opportunity to work with you on your project!Sincerely,
Elizabeth

My Resources

In order to polish your writing, I use the following resources:- The Chicago Manual of Style 18th Edition
- Garner’s Modern English Usage 5th Edition
- Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary 11th Edition
If you have a different style guide you would like me to use, please let me know during our initial conversation!

My Professional affiliations

The Beta Read

The Beta Read is an entry-level editorial service for authors who need an extra pair of eyes on an early version of their manuscript.I will read your manuscript and leave some comments throughout your manuscript using Microsoft Word's Track Changes. In addition, I write up a brief summary letter that highlights what plot lines or characters are or are not working for your story, addresses a maximum of three items within the manuscript that could use retooling, and summarizes general suggestions or commentary noted in the Word document. I am happy to work with partial manuscripts if you need guidance earlier in your writing process.This service will not include any in-line changes, questions, or edits.Pricing for The Beta Read is $0.01 USD per word with a minimum charge of $50.00 USD.

The Authenticity &
Sensitivity Read

The Authenticity & Sensitivity Read is an essential service that helps to ensure that your writing is accurate, immersive, and sensitive to and for all of your readers.This is a great service for anyone who is writing about characters, plot lines, or topics that they have not experienced firsthand. These experiences are not always strictly negative or positive, but are influential enough to the story that getting them right matters. In recent years, thanks in large part to the internet and social movements, readers have grown more eager for accurate representation in the books they read. Let me help you give your readers what they want!I am happy to offer The Authenticity & Sensitivity Read to you as a way to help make your novel more realistic while keeping it enticing and engaging for your readers.Topics I can read for:
1) Spanish language included in manuscripts2) Latino American experience (specifically Mexican American)3) California as a setting (specifically Southern California)4) Women’s issues and experiences5) Pregnancy and childbirth6) ParentingThis service will not include any in-line comments, questions, or edits about parts of your manuscript that do not contain relevant content.The incorporation of the feedback from The Authenticity & Sensitivity Read may require you to rewrite large sections of your manuscript, so it is best to use this service prior to booking any editorial services, especially The Copyedit.Pricing for The Authenticity & Sensitivity Read is $0.019 USD per word with a minimum charge of $50.00 USD.

The Copyedit

The goal of The Copyedit is to ensure that your writing is clear, coherent, consistent, and correct both grammatically and stylistically. As your copyeditor, I promise to do this while maintaining your unique voice so that you may convey your story to your readers just as you have always dreamed.I will read your draft in Microsoft Word and use Track Changes to make corrections, changes, and queries in the manuscript.Issues I will address in The Copyedit include capitalization, spelling, punctuation, abbreviations, hyphenation, grammar, usage, and syntax. If you would like for me to copyedit a nonfiction article or manuscript, I will also address treatment of numbers, figures, and references.There are three levels of copyediting: light, medium, and heavy. Each level of copyediting includes different levels of intervention. After I conduct my sample edit, I will give you my recommendation on which level would benefit your manuscript most as well as an example of what that will entail.The Copyedit includes a custom Style Sheet for your project, which lists particular The Chicago Manual of Style rules, style choices, proper nouns, and more. When I deliver the final product to you, I will include a cover letter highlighting any important notes or style choices within the manuscript.If you are interested in a free sample edit, please reach out to me through the contact page.Pricing for The Copyedit is $0.026 USD per word with a minimum charge of $50.00 USD.

Contact

Once I receive your message, I will reach out to you and begin the intake process. Please allow up to 48 hours for a response!If you have questions about pricing, please check the services page or my FAQs here.

testimonials

Thank you so much for helping me with my entire essay. I understand so much more about how to word things and how everything flows because when I wrote that essay I mostly spit out the words from my mind. I can see from all the edits that you’re really knowledgeable about what to do and what not to do for a college essay, so thank you for understanding what I’m trying to say especially when I didn’t even understand. So thank you so much for helping me out! I really appreciate all that you’ve done!
— Abbey S.

I found Elizabeth on a beta readers forum on reddit. I've been weary and anxious for others to read my book, especially at such beginning stages, but Elizabeth has been clear and concise through all her emails, offering not only understandable opinions and corrections, but witty comments that had me giggling and gave me the confidence to continue the grueling editing process. For as long as I write, and for as long as she'll let me, I'll continue to request her services for my books. 10/10, 500 stars. Love her!
— Brie Cie Miller

FAQs

Do You Only Edit Fiction?While I am most passionate about fiction, I can absolutely work with you on nonfiction projects! If you would like me to edit a nonfiction project, do not hesitate to reach out. Please send me an email or fill out the form on the Contact page.Once I receive your email, I will send you a client welcome packet and a questionnaire so that I can learn more about your project. Pricing will be calculated by word count based off The EFA’s Editorial Rates chart for nonfiction editing.

What Genres Do You Work With?As a reader, I enjoy Young Adult, New Adult, Adult Fiction, Romance, and Thrillers and all of the tropes each genre entails. As an editor, I am open to working with any of these genres at this time!Generally speaking, I am not opposed to working with difficult to read content, but I may request some accommodations, an extension, or have to refuse a project for my own mental health if your work includes: graphic violence (particularly toward children and/or animals), graphic childbirth or depictions of difficult or dangerous childbirth, or overly graphic or gratuitous sexual assault.If you have any concerns about this type of content in your manuscript, please do not hesitate to mention it in your questionnaire responses. Otherwise, please send me an email or message via my Contact page!

How Do You Determine Pricing?I aim to offer you exceptional service at a fair rate. All pricing is based off The EFA’s Editorial Rates chart.My current rates start at:
The Beta Read: $0.01 USD per word (minimum charge of $50.00)The Authenticity & Sensitivity Read: $0.019 per word (minimum charge of $50.00)The Copyedit: $0.026 per wordIf you would like for me to edit a smaller project (social media post, blog post, newsletter), the minimum fee is $50 or the cost per word, whichever is greater. I am happy to offer a package rate for multiple small projects.For larger projects, all pricing is based off of the total word count of your manuscript and the level of editing it entails.All pricing is in USD. Pricing is subject to change at any time.Last updated February 2025.

What Is Your Payment & Refund Policy?The Beta Read, The Authenticity & Sensitivity Read, and The Copyedit, require a 50% nonrefundable deposit at the time of scheduling. If your service is less than $200 in total, the full amount will be due at time of booking.I do not offer refunds for cancellations within 14 days prior to your project start date, after work has started, or for completed services. No exceptions.If you need to cancel, please do so as early as possible. For all services, I will offer you a partial refund of 75% of your deposit if you cancel at least 15 days prior to your scheduled service.Each package has a payment schedule that is outlined in the contract I will provide to you.Please feel free to email me with any additional questions you may have about the payment schedule for your service.For all services, final payment is due before the final product is delivered. No exceptions.

Do You Take Phone or Video Calls?Elizabeth Leiro Editorial Services is a one-woman show, so I cannot offer phone calls or video calls at this time. The best way to contact me is via my email: [email protected]. Please expect to hear back from me within 48 hours!

How Can I Pay?Currently, I am only accepting payment via PayPal. You will always receive an invoice via email from [email protected] with payment instructions. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions about making payments.

Do You Offer Sample Edits?
Yes, I will request the first 1500 words of your manuscript in order to provide you with a quote.If you have a smaller project (social media post, blog post, newsletter, or anything generally under 1500 words), I cannot offer you a sample edit.

How Long Do You Keep My Work?
I will keep a copy of your work for 90 days after completion of your project on a secured external hard drive. After 90 days, I will delete all copies from my hard drive unless you have granted me permission to use your work as a sample in my portfolio.

Do you know any editors with different specialties?
Yes! I started a mastermind group with fellow freelance editors from UCSD Extended Studies in late 2022. We have meetings every other week to stay current on any and all changes in the editing world and the business of freelancing. Having a great group of edibuddies makes freelancing much less lonely. Allow me to introduce you!Elizabeth Farry specializes in nonfiction and has experience with manuscripts about urban planning, transportation, public health, food systems, regional history, local interest, fitness, and landscape architecture. Learn more about Elizabeth here!Janet Endres specializes in marketing materials for businesses. Learn more about Janet here!Penni Askew (Word Summit Editing) specializes in genre fiction, but most especially romance. Learn more about Penni here!William Fouquet (Candlelight Editing) specializes in dark fiction (horror, paranormal, fantasy, sci-fi, and gothic). Learn more about William here!

Disclaimer
Purchasing any of my editing or reading services does not guarantee an agent or a traditional publishing contract. I am not affiliated with any publishing houses or agents at this time.

Limitation of Liability
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained elsewhere herein, neither party shall be liable to the other for any consequential, special, incidental, indirect or punitive damages of any kind or character, including, but not limited to, loss of use, loss of profit, loss of anticipated profit, loss of bargain, loss of revenue or loss of product or production, however arising under this contract or as a result of, relating to or in connection with the service and the parties’ performance of the obligations hereunder, and no such claim shall be made by any party against the other regardless of whether such claim is based or claimed to be based on negligence (including sole, joint, active, passive, or concurrent negligence, but excluding gross negligence), fault, breach of warranty, breach of agreement, breach of contract, statute, strict liability or any other theory of liability.