WORDSHARP
Editing and Proofreading
22 years in business | 630.360.3043
academic header

Short Story Editing Service & Short Story Proofreading Service

Editing for authors by authors

Helping thousands of authors transform their short stories since 1999


Turnaround is currently 3-5 business days.

Transforming a Manuscript into a Literary Work
The best writers understand the need for a short story editor's revision. They know after focusing intently on a draft that some issues just become too close to notice. Deficient structure may reduce the level of interest in your short story. Sometimes, manuscripts include underdeveloped elements or elements with low impact that reduce their effectiveness. Inexact grammar often leads to lack of clarity.

Service You Can Trust
We guarantee confidentiality and you retain copyright ownership. Our strict privacy and confidentiality policy protects your manuscript and your ideas. Our short story editors have all signed legally binding non-disclosure agreements to protect every client's confidentiality and copyright. Your manuscript file is completely secure as well. File transfers are encrypted when using our contact form. We do not sell, trade, transfer, rent or share information with any third party. If you require a separate non-disclosure agreement, you may contact Client Services or we are happy to sign yours.

Meeting Your Deadline

Make certain to meet your next publisher's deadline while maintaining high editing standards. Achieve exceptional results on your timetable by allowing one of our managing editors to oversee your project.

Choose from thousands of fonts for short story titles and text.

Professional Short Story Editors
Our literary manuscript editors have experience writing for publishers and agents. A close examination from an experienced and qualified literary manuscript editor and proofreader can give your project what it needs to be properly noticed.

Experience is Paramount

We can take your short story to another level with a literary manuscript editor from our dedicated crew. Whether you need short story proofreading services or short story editing services for your upcoming best-selling novel, short story or historical biography, we have literary manuscript editors experienced in your genre waiting to work with you. Each year, freelance editors contact WordSharp. Only the best possess the standards, and comprehensive experience necessary to become part of our team. We know you will be happy with our service; that's why we offer you a free sample edit.

Affordable Expert Service

We know these services can get expensive. That's why we proofread and edit for approximately 1 cent per word. Use your cost calculator to determine the exact rate.


Q: What's one of the main complaints in Amazon short story book reviews?

A: Lack of proper editing and proofreading!

What we can do for your short story

For short stories, we make all of the types of corrections shown on our proofreading and editing list. We also consider the following as we pore over your manuscript:

At no charge, when asked, we can make evaluative comments in a brief document and explain corrections and suggestions covering the following questions.


Look here for novel editing and for romance novel editing.


Short Story Editing and Proofreading Service FAQ

We proofread and edit short stories of all types and match them to the appropriate writing editor.

Yes! We correct grammar as part of our short story proofreading service.

Short story proofreading and editing
Grammar, typographical errors, misspellings, punctuation, clarity, comma splices, sentence fragments, run-on sentences, subject-verb disagreement, and verb tense, flow, phrasing ambiguities, audience appropriateness, organization, structure, theme, rhetorical consistency, levels of diction, lexical register, rhythm, and colloquialisms.

Short story formatting
Specific to your school and citation style.

If you send your short story in Microsoft Word format, we can return two copies to you when finished. One is the original with changes highlighted. The other is the final version.

All of our short story book editors have years as published author. We provide the right editor for your needs. We default to American English, APA publication style, and the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. We’re happy to use other styles and conventions. However, any deviations from these rules must be noted by the author beforehand to avoid re-editing.

No. The editing function has been a long-time feature and the files we send you are for a PC or Mac.

We much prefer Microsoft Word because of its Track Changes feature. However, if you check with us first, we support digital texts in a range of formats (e.g., Microsoft Word, Works, AppleWorks, Pages, Rich Text, and Open Office).

Our editors ensure that your short story complies with your style requirements.

A member of our short story editing staff can usually respond within two to three hours. We complete most manuscripts within a few business days. An editor and proofreader will accept it only if we can have the finished short story back to you before your deadline.

Proofreading and editing are approximately 1 cent per word; the exact price can be determined using our cost calculator. Formatting is approximately ½ a cent per word.

We currently accept PayPal, Zelle, SquareUp, Venmo, bank cards, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Visa, Visa Electron, Visa Debit, and Maestro. The method of payment is a secure system with industry standard 128-bit encryption. This is the premier form of encryption available for Internet transactions and is the same level of security used in cash machines (ATMs) and most retail stores. Please note: An account is not required to process your credit card and our staff never see your personal data.

The proofreading and editing rate is based on word count and your choice between proofreading and editing or formatting too. Unlike other short story editing companies, we do not have confusing editing rates per page or vague quotes. We provide exact figures for editing services. Send us your file and specify editing and proofreading and whether you want formatting too.

MS Word has a feature that you can use to obtain a word count. Alternatively, send it to us. We will calculate the amount and send you an email with a link to your invoice and payment options. If you want to calculate it yourself, multiply the number of words in your short story times 0.013 for proofreading and editing or times 0.019 for proofreading, editing, and formatting. For instance: 30,000 x 0.013 = $390 [USD].

Our smallest charge is $25 [USD]. If you have a project with a word count that is shorter than the minimum, we may be able to work on it for you, but the charge would be $25 USD.

We reword individual sentences. We may rearrange sentences. We may offer suggestions to improve the organization of paragraphs and sections within your short story. Complete rewriting is not an option.

We consider the issues surrounding intellectual copyright and confidentiality to be crucial. Only your short story editor and a managing editor have access to your short story. Each of our staff members is required to sign a copy of the confidentiality agreement, which ensures that under no circumstances can an employee share your short story with anyone. If you require a separate non-disclosure agreement, contact us. Unless you request otherwise, all short stories and related files are deleted after sixty days. We do not sell, trade, transfer, rent or share ANY information with ANY other party. All short stories reviewed by our editors remain the intellectual property of you, the original author. In keeping with our strict confidentiality, we never release names or titles without prior consent. For further information, view our privacy policy.

We make use of the most powerful and updated security measures including the industry standard in encryption (128-bit secure socket layer). This is the highest level of security commercially available and is the same standard of security used in cash machines (ATMs) and by many retail stores. To protect your credit card information, we have partnered with Venmo, PayPal, and SquareUp to offer you the most trusted financial transaction systems on the Internet. The entire payment process is conducted through one of their secure websites. No banking information or credit card data is ever collected or stored by us.

You always maintain ownership and copyright. We make no claim on your copyright, and we do not require credit or acknowledgment beyond the fees for the services rendered. It is a commonly accepted practice for some writers to credit us as their editor and this is always appreciated.

All of our editors and proofreaders must, at a minimum: (a) be native speakers of English; (b) have at least five years of professional experience as a writing editor; and (c) provide samples of their writing, proofreading and editing. A typical editor has more than fifteen years of professional experience and is published in his or her chosen field.

We are confident that our short story proofreading services are among the best in the industry. We are a professional company focused on you providing the best service possible. Each short story is proofread twice before returning it to you. If you are not completely satisfied, you can resubmit your short story for further editing/proofreading. We are committed to your satisfaction.

Yes, although we can nearly always tell when we read something, please specify which form of English you need when you place your order.

Short story editors are available nearly twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Our administrative staff is available between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. CST (GMT −6); we typically answer messages within a few hours.

Our global headquarters is based in the United States in Chicago, Illinois. Your communications are channeled through this office.

Even the best writers benefit from an impartial, professional and thorough look at their short story. Our editors recognize things in your short story that become unnoticeable to you. After you have done several drafts, reviewing and revising, that familiarity with the short story results in your filling in missing text and skipping over errors when you read.

Your short story will be print-ready subject to the state of the project when submitted to us.

We edit all sorts of styles, dialects, special kinds of formatting and other types of creativity. If there is something you do not want us to alter, mention this when you email the short story. With no additional instructions from you, we will edit your work to conform to the rules of standard English sentence structure and spelling.

Certainly you may explain things to your short story editor. Once it arrives, your short story is quickly routed directly to a chief editor who is familiar with, and appreciates, your type of short story. A client services representative will be happy to relay your comments and queries to your short story editor and then send the answers back.

Any feedback you receive from your short story editor is for the purpose of improving your work.

Our editing and proofreading service most closely resembles what is often called copyediting with some additional checks and benefits. As mentioned earlier on this page, at no charge, and only when asked, we can make evaluative comments in a brief document and explain corrections and suggestions covering the following questions:

  • How can the marketability of your manuscript be improved?
  • Does the book's content have any major structural or organizational problems?
  • Have you missed any essential elements or underdeveloped any topics or scenes?
  • Is your book too brief or too protracted and, if so, why?
  • Are there stereotypes or clichés that render the manuscript weaker?
  • Are the characters imaginative and developed fully?
  • Is there too much interior monologue or description and exposition at the expense of dialogue and/or action?
  • Is there the proper amount of suspense, believability, tension, conflict and action?
  • Are there other things that you, the author, can do to improve the book's content?

What we do would not be considered developmental editing or content editing. See here for a further description of what not to expect from any editor.

Contact us directly with your short story editing questions. One of our chief editors will be more than happy to discuss your short story with you and provide any additional information you may require.



FREE SAMPLE
short story edit

Attach ten pages or more to an email and ask for a sample. We'll proofread, edit and format a section for you.


Editing sample
Editing example
Press to enlarge
Reliable and Affordable Service
Fast Turnaround Time
Easy To Use
No Sign Up Required
Exceptionally Qualified Staff

Note: As with other short projects (e.g., flash fiction, novelettes, novellas, sets of short stories under 40,000 words), because of the abbreviated length of these works, we offer a set of services appropriate for such projects: proofreading, editing, and ebook formatting. As stated elsewhere, all other services are reserved for projects over 40,000 words (e.g., print formatting, advanced formatting, additional evaluation, add-on services).

Short Story Proofreading and Editing Service

We're committed to providing top-quality short story editing service. Our short story editors have extensive experience in the following key book-related areas:

Adventure book editing and proofreading - Autobiography editing - Biography editing and proofreading - Comedy proofreading - Contemporary book editing and proofreading - Drama editing - Entertainment proofreading - Fantasy editing - Fiction editing and proofreading - Genre editing - Health proofreading - Historical fiction editing - Horror editing and proofreading - Literature editing - Manuscript editing and proofreading - Memoir editing - Mind and Body proofreading - Mystery editing- Nonfiction editing and proofreading - Novel editing and proofreading - Reference editing - Romance editing and proofreading - Science editing - Sci-fi editing and proofreading - Self-help editing - Short Story editing and proofreading - Suspense editing - Teen editing and proofreading - Thriller editing - Travel proofreading - Tween editing - Western editing and proofreading - YA editing


Client Comments
I have already submitted three of my novels to your company for editing. I have been very satisfied with the job your writing editor has done. If possible, I would like the same writing editor to review No Man's Land. All feedback has been valuable.
-Cory

I have a lot of respect for you and your team. There is nothing worse for me than having to proofread my own stuff. Great job. My 249-page book of short stories was just sent to the publisher. My short stories receive the best reviews. I will use your services for a long time. You have a client for life.
-Luca

These pros left a permanent impression on me. I had never used an editing service before. You did extensive work. Especially good is your very low price. Now I’m confident to put my book of short stories on Amazon. I’ll certainly recommend you to my friends.
-Morgan

I received my edited copy of Knack from you and your team today. I wanted to thank you for the kind words and helpful updates. The personal touch and interest in my work made a big impact on my spirits. I am so pleased with the editing, comments and suggestions. My heartfelt thanks for your thoughtful work and advice. It means a lot to me. I cannot tell you how much I appreciated every single comment, adjustment, suggestion and, most of all, advice on the story. I have incorporated your suggestions for the book (all of them), and the stories are the better for it. Your personal touch & professionalism are top shelf! Thank you for being such pros. Best Wishes to you and your company.
-Tom Twitchell

I wanted to say thanks for the encouragement and the well thought out editing. 'I've entered Knack in the Kindle Scout Contest for new authors. Today (and thanks for your efforts) the short story has been "Hot & Trending" trading in the #1 and #2 positions for all entries, and #1 most of the day for newer entries. Best,
-Tom

I want to thank you for your meticulous proofread of Myth Makers. I could not be more pleased nor grateful for the detailed attention you paid.
-Debra

I've reviewed your edited version of my manuscript entitled, City of Cozenage: Forest of No Return. I am very please with your company's professional work and the great job they did editing my manuscript. I want to sincerely thank you and the team for helping me cross over the edit hurdle for which I am truly grateful. As I approach the next publishing hurdle – finding a literary agent – I feel confident that the services you provided me will be a significant aid in accomplishing that objective. I shall always be mindful of your services. And, I look forward to working with your team in the not-to-distant future.
A grateful client,
Landon H. Lewis, Jr.

Now I realize how essential it is to have a trained pair of eyes examine my work. You did a very expert and effective job of proofreading word usage, sentence structure, and grammar. These guys are prompt, professional, and their rates are good. I happily recommend them to anyone.
-Jake

I just wanted to let you know you are terrific. Plainly, my book of short stories is of substantially higher quality because of your dedication, hard work, experience, and expertise. You didn’t even charge me for the extra work you put in! That really showed me your professionalism and integrity. You are an efficient and hardworking team. Excellent job. I’ll continue to use your service for post-grad work.
-Wesley

I would like to express my gratitude to the editor who proofread my manuscript Human Dialogue. This editor was especially competent, caring, and efficient. May I please ask you to convey my appreciation to the editor?
Michael H. Mitias

You do such a good job on my short stories.
-Selika