The Blue Pencils

Submit a sample

Before We Begin

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What editing services do you offer?
  • Ghostwriting
  • Developmental Editing
  • Substantive / Line Editing
  • Copyediting
  • Proofreading
  • Manuscript Assessment
  • Translation (Hindi ↔ English)
  • Author Support and Mentorship

Each service is tailored to suit your manuscript’s goals, stage, and scope.

  1. Can I request a sample edit?

We offer a free sample edit of up to 1,000 words. This allows you to experience our editorial approach before committing to a full project. Please refer to our Submission Guidelines for details on how to send your sample.

  1. What genres do you specialise in?

We work across a wide range of genres—horror, romance, historical fiction, memoirs, contemporary fiction, fantasy, literary nonfiction, and more. We are especially drawn to emotionally resonant, character-driven storytelling.

  1. How do I get started?

Simply fill in our inquiry form and upload a sample of up to 1,000 words along with a short note about your book and what you are looking for. We will respond with our thoughts, pricing, and next steps within 2–3 business days.

  1. How long does the editing process take?

Turnaround time depends on the length of your manuscript and the type of service required. As a general guide, most projects are completed within four to six weeks. We will confirm a timeline with you before work begins, and we always aim to honour it.

  1. What are your payment terms?

A 60% advance is required to begin editing. The remaining 40% is due upon final delivery. Payments are accepted via UPI (India), Razorpay, or PayPal.

  1. Will my manuscript be kept confidential?

Your work and your ideas remain entirely yours. We treat every submission with the strictest confidentiality, and we are happy to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement before work begins—simply upon request.

  1. Who will be editing my manuscript?

Your manuscript will be handled by a seasoned editor with extensive experience in fiction and narrative nonfiction. Whether you are a debut author or a writer with several books behind you, your work will receive thoughtful, professional, and genre-sensitive attention throughout.

  1. Do you edit manuscripts in Hindi?

We offer Hindi–English and English–Hindi translation services. If you are looking for editing support for a manuscript written entirely in Hindi, please get in touch, and we will let you know how we can help based on your specific needs.

  1. What file formats do you accept?

We work primarily in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx), which allows us to use Track Changes for clear, transparent editing. PDFs are not suitable for editorial work as they cannot be annotated in the same way.

  1. Will you help me with publishing or finding a literary agent?

We offer Query Letter and Synopsis Reviews to help you present your manuscript professionally to agents and publishers. However, we do not serve as literary agents or publishing consultants, nor do we make submissions on your behalf. Our role is to ensure your manuscript and supporting materials are as strong as they can be—what happens next is your journey, and we will have prepared you well for it.

  1. What if I have a question that isn’t answered here?

Write to us at contact@thebluepencils.com—we are always happy to talk about your book.

Story · Structure · Soul

contact@thebluepencils.com