Comic Script Editing

Turn your draft into a kick-ass comic book!

"James works to bring out the potential in YOUR story. His feedback is encouraging and helpful, even when giving notes on something that isn't working because he wants to see you develop the best possible outcome."

– James Ferguson (A Real Slobberknocker)

Does this sound familiar? You finished your script and...

You realize the opening act takes up so many pages that you don't have space to properly pace your epic finale.
You know your story is good, but there's something missing... you're just not sure what it is.
You're not sure if you're capturing the most dynamic moments for the panels.
Your dialog feels like a bunch of robotic info dumps.
You start to notice your page turns aren't engaging, but you're not sure how to fix them.
You’ve grown nervous and uncertain about the story that once felt so magical... now, instead of finishing the script, you’re thinking about shelving it and starting something new.

You're not alone!

Writing a comic was supposed to be easy, right? But then you got to work, and you quickly realized how complex scriptwriting can be. Panel descriptions. Page turns. Splash pages. Dialog.

But don't start sweating yet because you're not the only one. Even established pros need help from an editor (I've personally worked with writers who've already written several successful comics but who still struggle with pacing, nailing those page turns, and choosing the exact best moment for the splash page.)

You’ve already finished the hard part: that important first draft. Most people don't get that far. Now you just need help making it kick as much ass as you've always imagined it could.

What you need is an experienced editor who'll not only help you finalize your script but also teach you the pitfalls to look for with your next script.

And that's where I come in...

You’re ready for script editing if:

You’ve written a draft of your comic. (If you’re struggling with how to finish, I work with incomplete manuscripts too.)
You know you’ve got a good story, maybe even a great one, but you’re not sure how to get the most out of the comic medium to make it stand out and engage readers.
You’ve received positive feedback from early readers, but none of it’s actionable. What you need is someone to tell you what’s working and what’s not and exactly how to fix it.
You wish you had the support you need to tackle the revision process.

Here's What You'll Get:

For comic scripts, I've found that a two-step review process works best. First, we solidify the story, and then we focus on the panel-by-panel details.

Step One: Evaluation. I'll read the script and provide an in-depth, written report that highlights what’s working (and how to incorporate more of it) and what’s not (and how to fix it). This is similar to my book evaluation service. I look for potential problems with the story (premise, plot, pacing, tension, conflict and resolution, setting and world-building, characters and character growth) and with the script itself (panel descriptions, dialog, page turns, panel flow).
Step Two: In-Line Comments. After you've revised your script based on my comments and our discussion about them, I'll go through the script and examine it scene by scene, panel by panel. I'll provide in-line edits to help you improve your panel descriptions, your layout, your dialog, etc. My goal here is to provide a detailed edit to help you get the most out of the comic medium and to make the final comic as visually exciting as possible.
Two 60-minute video conferences or phone calls. After each review, we'll meet to discuss my feedback. This is a great time for me to answer questions and for us to brainstorm ideas.
Email support. Like all of my editing packages, you can email me between deadlines for questions, brainstorming, and support.

This package does not include art review, copy editing, or proofreading. I provide those services when needed based on a predetermined page rate.

Comics editing is NOT a good fit if:

You've already completed your comic art and lettering, but you want someone to improve only the dialog.
You struggle to accept constructive criticism about your writing.
You’re looking for a few generic comments similar to what you might expect from a beta reader, or you’re looking for someone to say you’re story is great as it is.
You are not willing to do rewrites based on the feedback you receive.

“James is a fantastic editor and he has a passion for good storytelling. I sincerely appreciate how deeply invested he is in my work, my characters, and the stories I want to tell. It's clear he is genuinely interested in helping my stories reach their potential. Not only has James helped me in terms of the large-scale mechanics of story outlining and character development, but he has also provided excellent feedback when it comes to the finer points of plotting out panels more effectively and editing dialogue. I feel my writing has grown significantly as a result of working with James and I would highly recommend his editing services to any writer.”

– Sarah Cooke (Scorned April, 2023 Negative Space Women’s Writing Competition winner)

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I hear from you?
When you contact me, I try to respond within 48 hours (or two business days). From there, we'll set up a 30-minute virtual meeting to discuss your projects and to see if we’re a good fit for one another. If we are, we can discuss a schedule in more detail.

How long do these edits take?
The turnaround time for comic script editing varies, but it mostly depends on how long the script is and how long it takes you, the writer, to make revisions based on that first round of editing. When I have your manuscript, I’ll supply an estimated completion date before I get started. With that said, for most comics under 40 pages, I turn around my initial evaluation in about two days, and the more intense in-line edit takes about a week.

Do you evaluate art? What about proofing the final comic?
Comics often take a long time to move through the phases from finished script to pencils, inks, colors, and letters. Because of that, my editing package focuses on nailing down the script. With that said, I work with most of my clients through all phases, including the review of art, letters, etc. If you want me to help with reviewing the other stages of comic development, I charge a flat page rate.

What genres do you work with?
While I have edited all types of stories, right now I’m focused primarily on genre fiction. I specialize in horror, fantasy, science fiction, and crime/thriller stories. I work in most age ranges: middle grade, young adult, and adult.

Do you edit shorts? What about an entire series?
I love working with comic creators, so count me in for short stories and for those long series you have planned.

How Much Does it Cost?

Pricing for comic editing is based on the length of your manuscript, the number of words, and how many pages there will be in the final comic. Although fees vary by project, you can expect to pay approximately $350 for a standard 22-page comic.

Please contact me so we can discuss your project.