Cortni Merritt
Historical fiction, Self-help
United States English (US)
About Cortni
I began freelance editing in 2010 and launched SRD Editing Services in 2018, where I work mostly with self-publishing writers. I also provide white-label editing services to traditional imprints. I hold an MA in English literature, editing certificates from Florida State University and Poytner Institute, and memberships in EFA and ACES.
SRD Editing Services: "Helping dreams become books."
I offer developmental editing, line and copy editing, and proofreading services.
My experience in fiction includes a range of genres: literary, contemporary, romance, women's lit., speculative, horror, thriller, fantasy, and science fiction (and more)
My experience in nonfiction includes: memoir, self-help and psychology, history and biography, business and leadership, and health and wellness (and more)
I also edit YA fiction and nonfiction, children's books (pre-K, young reader, and midgrade), and poetry
Services Priced in your written quote
Developmental editing
Developmental editing includes review and feedback for structure, plot, pacing, storyline cohesion, characterization and character arcs, continuity and timeline, dialogue and narration concerns, and more. I create a custom Style Sheet to help guide yout through your editing process and note important details for your entire publishing team. $2,250 up to 70K words. $3,250 for 70K+
Line editing
In a line edit, I correct technical errors that can take readers out of your story, including: grammar punctuation spelling capitalization consistency fact-checking anachronisms repetitive language structure of chapters and paragraph breaks citations and references Line edit is determined by more than 10 errors per 1K words in sample edit. $.0275 up to 70K words. $.03 for 70K+ words
Proofreading
In a proofread, I correct technical errors that can take readers out of your story, including: punctuation typos & spelling capitalization style guide consistency spacing & heading consistency Proofread is determined as fewer than 10 errors per 1K words on a sample edit. $.019 up to 70K words. $.022 for 70K+.
Portfolio Books Cortni worked on
Work samples
IMGSample edit from Chapter 2 of Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." Shows MS Word using Tracked ChangesRead sampleClose
Achievements
- AwardNational Indie Excellence Awards 2026Leadership Principles of the American Mafia: A Bohemian Journey through the Birth of the Underworld · Developmental editor and line editor, 2025
- AwardBronze Medal of the Global Book Awards 2026Own Your Life Story · Developmental and line editor, 2025
- Amazon category bestsellerChildren's Christian Humor FictionKing Midnight: Tails of Adventure and Glory · Line editor, 2025
- Amazon category bestsellerMurder and Mayhem True CrimeDark Secret: The Complete Story: The True Account of What Happened to Little Alex Suleski · Developmental and line editor, 2018
Experience
- Freelance line editor, copy editor, and proofreader, Elite Editing2022 to present
- Freelance editor, Princeton University Pressbeginning 2027
- Editor, SRD Editing Services2018 to present
