Carmen DaVinleam
Author & Editor
Hello,
I’m Carmen, a professional author and editor.
I have over eleven years of experience in thrillers, dark fiction, mystery, fantasy, historical, and sci-fi. I work with Adult, MG, and YA genres. I also read in all these genres, too.
I love to provide feedback that’s tailored to your manuscript and your goals while helping your story shine. Please reach out if you need any services, whether that be full editing, proofreading, or if you need a final set of eyes to catch those errant typos we all miss sometimes before publication.
I love working with authors, writers, creators, and look forward to speaking with you soon.
Check out the Services tab to see what I have to offer.
Thoughtful Editing for Authors Who Want Their Stories to Shine
I help authors bring their manuscripts to life through developmental editing, line edits, copyediting, and proofreading. My neurodivergent perspective allows me to notice details others might miss, giving you feedback that’s both thorough and insightful. Every story is unique — my goal is to help yours reach its full potential.I’ll help you:Refine your plot and pacingStrengthen characters and dialoguePolish prose for clarity and impactEnsure your manuscript reads smoothly and professionallyWhether you want big-picture guidance or detailed line edits, I adapt to what your story needs.
Services
Developmental Editing 📚
Big-picture feedback: structure, pacing, plot, character arcsEnsures your story flows and resonates emotionally
Line Editing ✍️
Sentence flow, clarity, tone, voiceNotes on anything that enhances or distracts from your story
Copyediting 🖋️
Grammar, punctuation, spelling, formatting, style
Proofreading
Final polish/read before publication or submission
Extras
First-page critique / sample edit (no charge)Query letter and synopsis review ($45 add-on)
Pricing
Cost depends on which service is requested, developmental,
line editing, copy-edits, proofreading, or a mixture of those services.Below are the estimated prices based on word counts.• Query package critique: $45
• Full manuscript up to 90K words: $765 - $4,500
• Full manuscript up to 120K words: starts $1,020 - $6,000
• Full manuscript over 200K words: starts $2,000 - $10,000
• Proofread only manuscripts up to 90K: $450
• Proofread only manuscripts 95K-120K: $550
• Proofread only manuscripts over 120K: $1,000
Note: manuscripts over 200K are a hard sell for most acquiring
editors except in sci-fi and epic fantasy.All payments via PayPal, payable once the project is scheduled.I offer discounted pricing to disabled authors
by exact word counts at $0.0085 per wordIf you need a payment plan,
just reach out and let me know.
I'm sure we can work something out.
How It Works ⚡
1. Fill out the intake form below or schedule a Discord call
2. Provide your manuscript or first five pages for critique
3. Receive detailed, tailored feedback
4. Optional follow-up call to discuss edits
💬 Discord calls can be voice or video — before, during, or after the edit, whichever works best for you.
JCPS Short Story
Collection Contest
Carmen is currently working with
The Louisville Book Festival and Jefferson County Public Schools to create a "Stories of Hope" anthology lifting the voices of school children in our community.
QUESTIONS? Contact Carmen at [email protected]
Contact
Have questions about my editing services or want to discuss your manuscript before getting started? I’m happy to connect!Schedule a Discord call (voice or video) to talk through your project by using the Schedule a Call link below.Fill out the intake form to provide key details about your manuscript and goals.For questions about pricing, services, or timelines, feel free to reach out — I’ll respond as quickly as possible.Your story matters, and I’m here to make the editing process clear, supportive, and tailored to your needs.