Jeffrey Harlan

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Editing Services

With editing experience beginning in 1998, I offer a wide range of editing services.
Developmental Editing
Shape the overall structure, content, and concept of a work.
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Copy Editing
Refine the manuscript at the sentence and paragraph level, ensuring consistency, clarity, and adherence to style.
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Proofreading
Perform a final quality-control sweep before publication.
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Comic Editing
Act as both a creative partner and a project manager.
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Developmental Editing

Purpose:Shape the overall structure, content, and concept of the work.

  • Evaluates big-picture elements such as the premise, organization, pacing, character arcs (fiction), argument flow (non-fiction), and target audience fit.
  • Suggests major revisions: adding, removing, or rearranging sections; clarifying purpose; strengthening voice and tone; addressing gaps in logic or research.
  • May involve discussions with the author about the book’s goals, market positioning, and possible rewrites.

When it happens:Early in the process, often after a complete draft, but before line-level polishing.

Copy Editing

Purpose:Refine the manuscript at the sentence and paragraph level, ensuring consistency, clarity, and adherence to style

  • Fixes grammar, punctuation, spelling, and syntax errors.
  • Checks for consistent usage of terminology, tense, point of view, and formatting (headings, tables, citations).
  • Improves word choice, eliminates redundancy, and tightens awkward phrasing.
  • Ensures compliance with a specific style guide (e.g., Chicago Manual of Style, APA).
  • May flag factual inaccuracies for the author to verify, but does not rewrite large sections.

When it happens:After developmental editing, once the overall structure is solid and the manuscript is ready for line-by-line scrutiny.

Proofreading

Purpose:Perform a final quality-control sweep before publication.

  • Catches any remaining typographical errors, misspellings, misplaced punctuation, and minor layout issues introduced during typesetting or formatting.
  • Verifies that page numbers, headings, footnotes, and references are correct and consistent.
  • Looks for visual glitches (e.g., stray spaces, broken hyperlinks) that could affect readability. Does not involve substantive changes to content, style, or structure.

When it happens:The last step, after copy editing and after the manuscript has been typeset or formatted for print/digital.

Comic Editing

A comic book editor wears many hats, acting as both a creative partner and a project manager.

Story Development

  • Work with writers/creators to shape plot outlines, character arcs, and pacing.
  • Provide Feedback on scripts, suggesting revisions that improve clarity, drama, or continuity
  • Ensure that each issue fits into the larger series narrative and respects established canon.

Script Editing & Proofreading

  • Check dialogue for readability, tone, and consistency with each character’s voice.
  • Spot-check for spelling, grammar, and typographical errors.
  • Flag any legal or trademark concerns (e.g., unintended use of real-world brands or copyrighted material).

Coordination with Artists

  • Pair writers with pencillers, inkers, colorists, and letterers whose styles suit the story.
  • Communicate visual storytelling needs: panel layout, pacing, mood lighting, and key moments.
  • Review roughs, inks, and colors, providing notes to keep the visual narrative aligned with the script.

Production Scheduling

  • Create and maintain timelines for each stage of production (script, art, lettering, proofing).
  • Monitor progress against deadlines, adjusting resources or priorities when bottlenecks arise.
  • Liaise with the publishing calendar team to ensure release dates stay on track.

Quality Control

  • Create and maintain timelines for each stage of production (script, art, lettering, proofing).
  • Monitor progress against deadlines, adjusting resources or priorities when bottlenecks arise.
  • Liaise with the publishing calendar team to ensure release dates stay on track.

Continuity & Lore Management

  • Keep a reference library of past issues, character bios, and world-building documents.
  • Ensure new stories don’t contradict established facts unless an intentional retcon is planned.
  • Update internal databases or “bibles” so future teams have accurate background information.

Collaboration with Marketing & Sales

  • Keep a reference library of past issues, character bios, and world-building documents.
  • Ensure new stories don’t contradict established facts unless an intentional retcon is planned.
  • Update internal databases or “bibles” so future teams have accurate background information.

Budget Oversight

  • Track costs associated with talent fees (writers, artists, freelancers) and production expenses.
  • Make decisions about allocating resources (e.g., hiring a higher-profile artist for a flagship issue versus a newer talent for a limited series)

Rights and Contracts

  • Track costs associated with talent fees (writers, artists, freelancers) and production expenses.
  • Make decisions about allocating resources (e.g., hiring a higher-profile artist for a flagship issue versus a newer talent for a limited series)

Mentorship & Talent Development

  • Track costs associated with talent fees (writers, artists, freelancers) and production expenses.
  • Make decisions about allocating resources (e.g., hiring a higher-profile artist for a flagship issue versus a newer talent for a limited series)

Request a

Consultation

Use the form below to request a consultation on your project. Please specify which type(s) of editing you want, and include details such as the genre, length, and planned release date (if applicable).