turtle edits
You've got a story. I've got your back. Editing since 2018, specializing in fantasy, science fiction, and romance featuring queer characters.
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Member, LGBTQ+ Editor's Association
Student, UChicago Developmental Editing Specialization
© 2025 - Turtle's Writing and Editing Services
rates & services
Developmental Editing
Developmental editing is where we make sure the pieces of your story fit together.
I'll focus on big-picture notes, like story structure, genre, characterization, plot, themes, and internal consistency, and prescribe any rewrites or story rearranging that might be needed.
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What you'll get: a commented manuscript + an editorial letter with notes on the above, including what's working well. A story bible can also be included upon request.
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Rate: starts at $0.035/word (USD).
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copy editing
Copy editing usually starts with a line edit, where I go line by line to make sure everything is clear and consistent while retaining your voice and vision.
Next, I'll catch any remaining spelling, grammar, and other minor errors, and root out writing tics like echoes or homonyms to make sure everything reads as clearly as possible.
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What you'll get: a manuscript with tracked changes + a style sheet
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Rate: starts at $0.025/word (USD)
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beta reading
If you need a close reader for your finished novel, I'm available for reading and providing high-level feedback! I follow the A.B.C.D. method (Awesome, Bored, Confused, and Disbelieving/Didn't Buy It) for structuring my feedback.
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What you'll get: a manuscript with comments + a reader letter addressing the above.
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Rate: starts at $150 (USD)
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packages
If you're looking for more help throughout the writing and editing process, or you're hoping to combine multiple services, please let me know and I'll be happy to work something out with you!
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wishlist
i'm looking for:
Genres: Science fiction and fantasy, especially LGBTQ+, and especially with romance or mystery subplots!
Spice Rating: I do it all, from no spice/no romance to erotica.
Length: Short stories, novellas, novels, and serial fiction.
Favorite Tropes: found family, arranged marriage, enemies-to-partners-in-crime, transmigration, messy exes, mystery subplots, political intrigue.
For NSFW material: explicit consent, polyamorous and nontraditional relationships are always welcome!
please no:
Non-con (for explicit material)
Gratuitous violence
Gratuitous racism, sexism, ableism, queerphobia, or transphobia
© 2025 - Turtle's Writing and Editing Services
testimonials
"Beck is a perceptive editor who responded to my writing with smart, insightful suggestions that respected my voice and story while definitely improving my essay."
-Janine DeBaise, author of Body Language
"Beck was wonderful to work with from start to finish. They really take the time to understand not just the fine edits that might be required, but the ebb and flow of the piece as a whole. They have a keen ability to bring clarity without sacrificing voice or style and communicate their suggestions with thoughtfulness and respect.
-Jenny Wong, author at The Hopper and Best of the Net nominee
© 2025 - Turtle's Writing and Editing Services
let's work together!
are you a new client?
First, fill out the request form, and I'll get back to you as soon as possible with my availability and to arrange a sample edit.
After reviewing the sample edit and my editorial notes, we can arrange a full editing pass.
If we move forward with a full edit, the cost of your sample edit will be credited to your full edit price.
current/past clients:
Please reach out directly to schedule an editing session!
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request form
© 2025 - Turtle's Writing and Editing Services
portfolio
Working with you to make your stories shine.
![aim for the heart anthology cover art: an androgynous musketeer with a smirk and three swords pointing at their bared chest.]()
Aim for the Heart (Anthology, Developmental/Copy Editing)
![aether beyond the binary cover image: two scientists, one with short light-colored hair and one with long black dreads, look up as the scientist with short hair has a flower hovering over their hand using magic.]()
Aether Beyond the Binary (Anthology, Developmental/Copy Editing)
![many hands anthology cover. purple flowers in the background with grayscale image of people reaching out for each other, hands and limbs entwining as it is implied these people are having an orgy.]()
Many Hands: an Anthology of Polyamorous Erotica (Erotica Anthology, Developmental/Copy Editing)
![The Edge of a World by JD Rivers (Novel, Beta Reading)]()
The Edge of a World by JD Rivers (Novel, Beta Reading)
The Hopper Literary Mazagine (senior prose editor 2018 - 2022)
The Salt in the Sea by JD Rivers (Novella, Copy Editing)
Scholarly Pursuits (Anthology, Developmental/Copy Editing)
Monsterotica (Erotica Anthology, Developmental/Copy Editing)
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who i work with
indie authors
Developmental editing, copy editing, and writer coaching for solo authors.
small presses
Developmental editing, copy editing, and content strategy for small presses. (Duck Prints Press, The Hopper Literary Magazine, and others.)
creative agencies
Story development, developmental editing, and copy editing for serial fiction producers (YONDER & Hot Ghostwriter) and general-purpose ghostwriting/editing agences. (Gotham Ghostwriters.)
© 2025 - Turtle's Writing and Editing Services
hi, i'm beck!
Coffee fiend, lover of queer sci-fi/fantasy, and caretaker of one very spoiled dog. I've been a developmental and copy editor for literary, commercial, and indie press outlets since 2018 and am happiest when helping authors find their groove.I'm also:
a staff editor at Duck Prints Press (a queer-owned-and-operated press),
a former content strategist at YONDER/Webtoon (a serialized fiction platform),
a developmental editing student at the UChicago Editing School,
a freelance editor specializing in developmental editing and copy editing for fantasy and science fiction, and
a former Senior Prose Editor at The Hopper eco-literary magazine.
I started Turtle's Editing Services, LLC to bring all my editing services under one umbrella.
Member, LGBTQ+ Editor's Association
Student, UChicago Developmental Editing Specialization
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my philosophy:
Your voice matters.Don't worry about what others would write, or how they'd write it. Write what you love, and I'll help you make it unforgettable.
why the editing turtle?
The turtle is a venerable creature who's weathered enormous changes. Some stories say the world is carried on the back of a turtle. And in the fable of the tortoise and the hare, it's the slow and steady tortoise who ultimately wins the race.Turtles get where they need to go, one small step at a time. They carry our cultural imaginations. They're a deliberate, steady presence in a wildly unpredictable world.In short: they're pretty cool. And a good example for us editors.
want to work together?
From the seeds of a story to a finished manuscript that needs polishing, I'm here to help you make your work the best it can be!
© 2025 - Turtle's Writing and Editing Services
reserve an editing pass
Thank you for your interest in continuing to work together! Please click through to the payment portal to enter your ideal start date and reserve your editing slot.
© 2025 - Turtle's Writing and Editing Services