Because strong stories deserve to be taken seriously.
From early chapter assessments to final submission checks, Little Monroe Lit offers approachable and affordable manuscript services for writers looking to strengthen their work before sending it out into the world.
Services are tailored to the needs of each project and aim to improve clarity, flow, readability, and overall presentation while preserving the individuality of your writing.
Our Approach
As the editors and publishers of an independent literary magazine, we regularly read emerging fiction and creative submissions and understand how much presentation, clarity, and polish can shape a first impression. Rather than heavily rewriting manuscripts, our focus is on refinement. We aim to help writers strengthen clarity, polish presentation, and feel more assured about submitting their work professionally.
What We Provide:
Manuscript Formatting & Proofreading
For completed manuscripts needing a careful final polish before submission or self-publishing.
This service is designed for writers who feel their manuscript is close to finished but would benefit from a professional formatting and proofreading review before being sent out into the world. The focus is on presentation, readability, consistency, and correcting the kinds of small issues that can distract from strong writing.
Includes:
formatting and presentation corrections
grammar and spelling proofread
punctuation and consistency checks
light readability improvements
basic synopsis refinement and feedback
Best suited for:
completed manuscripts
self-publishing preparation
competition or publisher submissions
final drafts before querying
Pricing is based on manuscript length:
Up to 5,000 words - $60 NZD
5,000-10,000 words - $95 NZD
10,000-20,000 words - $160 NZD
20,000-40,000 words - $280 NZD
40,000-60,000 words - $420 NZD
60,000-80,000 words - $550 NZD
80,000+ words - from $650 NZD
Final pricing may vary depending on manuscript condition, formatting complexity, and turnaround time.
First 1,500 Words Review
A brief proofing and readability review for writers wanting a fresh editorial eye before committing to a larger service - $35 NZD
Why us?
A lot of emerging writers sit in an awkward middle ground when it comes to editorial support. Professional editing services can feel expensive, intimidating, or simply out of reach - especially for writers still developing confidence in their work - but friends and family are not always able to offer the kind of practical, honest feedback a manuscript needs before submission. Sometimes what writers are really looking for is simply another informed set of eyes: someone who understands literary submissions, presentation, readability, and the small details that can shape a first impression.
Through publishing and editing an independent literary magazine, and with a background in newspaper journalism right here in Aotearoa, the Little Monroe team regularly work with emerging writing and understand both the creative and practical side of preparing work for competitions, journals, publishers, and self-publishing. Our approach is thoughtful, approachable, and grounded in helping writers feel more confident about the work they are sending out into the world. The aim is never to flatten a writer’s voice or turn a manuscript into something it’s not, but to help strong stories feel cleaner, clearer, and professionally presented. While larger editing services are often booked out months in advance or priced beyond what many emerging writers can realistically access, these services are designed to offer careful, literary-minded support that still feels personal, accessible, and genuinely useful.