Words Matter is dedicated to helping writers and publishers polish and refine their manuscripts. We edit works of fiction and non-fiction, and book proposals.

Why hire an editor? Whether you want to submit your work to an agent or publisher or are looking for an experienced editor to ready a manuscript for publication, manuscripts need to be error-free, cogent and coherent. A manuscript that is sloppily written, factually innacurate, doesn't make sense, or seems under-developed won't get a second reading. Work that is lucid, well-written and well-structured will get a respectful reading.

If you're an agent or a publisher working with a writer whose manuscript shows promise but needs more work, we collaborate with the writer to shore up weak areas, suggest solutions to problems in the manuscript, eliminate redundancy, add or delete material for clarity and ensure factual accuracy.

Words Matter uses experienced editors and writers who have worked on both sides of the process, which gives us insight into how writers and editors think, what they're looking for, and how to synthesize the two.

Our philosophy is that an editor should never impose on a writer his or her view of what the book should be. Rather, the editor's job is to be an advocate, to encourage and assist the writer in shaping a manuscript into a cohesive, polished whole that reflects both the writer's strengths and his or her vision of the book.