Medical Writing, Developmental, Copy, and Manuscript Editing Services
What is a developmental and copy editor?
A developmental and copy editor works for writers and helps them reach their audience by mediating between the interests of the writer and the reader.
Lost Coast Medical Writing Services
Our passion and preferences lie in communicating medical information with those outside of the medical field. Services include:
Writing – We are happy to contribute an opinion piece or collaborate on a more scholarly publication. Lost Coast has formerly written on patient education. See the blog and the white paper written for CHCAO.
Reviewing – Authors can’t always know if their piece will appeal to a physician audience or be understandable to a lay one, but our eyes can see what yours may miss. Though we do not have a medical license, we are happy to provide medical review of content based on our education.
Organizing – We love helping authors (and potential authors) organize and reorganize their thoughts for more clarity and impact. We especially love working with book-length manuscripts, including finding the chapters, titles, sections to improve the book.
Editing for Voice – Find the voice you need for your audience while still sounding like your authentic self. For example, translating doctor-speak into a patient-friendly or improving collegiality for professional communication.
Copy Editing – We’ll find errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and style. We’ll also check internal logic, consistency of formatting, copyright issues, and medical accuracy. This includes a style sheet if one isn’t provided. AMA Style is our strong preference, but other styles may be discussed. (APA, MLA, etc.)
Volunteering – It is our great privilege to be able to volunteer with the Humboldt Literacy Project to help adults attain greater English literacy.
Developmental Editing – This includes a manuscript assessment and may include fact checking, ____
Healthcare Article Review – How will it land with patients? Is this relevant to a physician audience?
Authenticity Read-through – Maintain a unique voice while ensuring readability for lay audience, or professionalism for clinician audience.
Resumes, CVs, dossiers, NIH grant applications, etc.
Stand-alone Manuscript Read and assessments (beta-reads) are available. Developmental education may be added on at a reduced rate, depending on availability.
Writing Coaching – Whether you’re a student or anyone else wishing to improve your writing or reading comprehension skills, Lost Coast is available to coach you.
How to Work with Lost Coast
Schedule a consult call to discuss your project!
We’d love to briefly review your current writing ahead of our meeting if you feel comfortable sharing (happy to sign NDAs).
If we’re a good fit, Lost Coast will send you a contract and a list of materials needed to get started.
Typically, half of the payment is requested upfront for new clients with large projects. The contract will have a proposed deadline, but the understanding is that variation may occur. Any delays or variations will be communicated ahead of time.
If you require services beyond the scope of our initial agreement…
There may be additional charges. For instance, if you initially hire us for a developmental edit and later want to do a round of copy edits, that will be billed as an additional fee.
Final invoice will be sent.
Payment is expected within 2 weeks. We are always happy to read final works, so let us know when they publish!
