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Fantasy Book Editing Services

Our book editing services have been used by scores of authors, many of whom have been engaged in the fine art of fantasy novel writing.

If you have the wherewithal to have written a full novel manuscript, you are undoubtedly familiar with the concept of the proofreading/editing service. If not, just visit our book editing services page for a general introduction to what we can offer.

Among our editors, there are several who specialize in fantasy novel editing. It is our focus on the requirements of excellence within specific genres that has resulted in such a large proportion of clients proceeding from the free sample edit to the full edit.

In this article, we will be discussing the different elements of the novel in the context of fantasy. For example, many elements of successful characterization are more or less universal. However, one of the greatest challenges for the fantasy author is weaving these elements into a unique context. One of the biggest errors made by fantasy authors is ascribing human/real-world characteristics to the players on their beautifully crafted stages. Conversely, it is all too easy to make your characters (mannerisms, turn of phrase, motives, etc.) too alien for the reader to engage with. If you have read any of the fantasy classics, and I’m sure you have, you will realize that the main characters are on a tightrope between these two errors of excess. Bilbo Baggins is a non-human midget living in a hollowed-out hillock surrounded by demi-godesque forces of good and evil, cunning dragons, brutal armies… you know the story. However, it is no coincidence that The Hobbit opens in a setting that we can all recognize (the Shire). There are rolling hills, agriculture, fine food, booze, and tobacco. Moreover, there are frumpy elders, snippy neighbors, good friends, and so on. For the first few pages, Baggins is a short young man with big feet and a lust for adventure, just like the average reader (hopefully minus the stature and foot size issues). By the end of Tolkien’s classic opening few pages, we are engaged with the protagonist via the crucial empathetic link in a way that would not be possible were he a mage, wielding rainbow lightning on a monolith hurtling across a sky of fire. 

The balance between fantasy and reality in characterization is an element to be carefully observed and commented upon in any successful fantasy book editing service. Similarly with dialogue, a balance must be struck between the reality of the story and that of the reader. Turning again to The Hobbit, there is a distinct lack of unrecognizable terms or phrases. Aside from integrating the geography (a hurdle deserving of its own article) in a fantasy book, the author should try to phase special jargon into the text gently. In many a fantasy book edit, wrists have been firmly slapped for shoehorning a whole new lexicon into the opening chapter. Every time the reader has to pause to recall a particular term or, worse, flick back a few pages having realized that it is central to the story, the spell of immersion is broken.

There are many elements unique to successful fantasy writing that ought to be considered in any fantasy book editing service. For a more complete breakdown, submit your manuscript for a sample edit to see what we can do to help.

Also, for an entertaining/insightful read into the genre, give the Wikipedia page on fantasy books (and links therefrom) a viewing.