Novel Proofreading & Pace Editing

My 40,000-word novel is now on its third draft and I’m ready for a sharp set of eyes before I send it to layout. I need a complete proofread for errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation, but the top priority is a detailed critique of plot and pacing.

The story blends travel writing with psychological themes, so I want to be sure each location change moves the narrative forward and the inner journeys of the characters stay engaging. I already sense the opening chapters read a little slowly and the final chapters wrap up too quickly; I’d like concrete advice on tightening the start and giving the ending the breathing room it needs.

Deliverables I’m expecting:
• A clean, tracked-changes document showing all proofreading corrections
• An editorial memo (or chapter-by-chapter notes) that explains what’s working, what stalls, and practical ways to adjust scene order, tension, and stakes

If you prefer to leave margin comments directly in the manuscript, that’s fine—clarity and specificity are the main things. I’m flexible on tools—Word, Google Docs, or Scrivener exports all work for me. Ideally, the full edit can be turned around within two weeks, but tell me if you need a little longer; quality comes first.