If you’re looking for a developmental editor, scroll down to my offerings. If you’re not sure if that’s what you’re looking for, let me help. If you…
- Have a manuscript draft that’s ready for professional feedback
- Are serious about getting a traditional publishing deal for your book
- Want your self-published novel to be skillfully-crafted
- Need help getting an essay or short story ready for submission
- Are finally ready to take some action and get coached on how to improve your writing
OR
- Are scared to death to find out what an editor would say about your writing but know that some professional feedback on your work would do you good…
I can help you. I offer services to seasoned writers committed to landing a book deal and new writers who don’t know what the heck to do with their file full of story attempts.
What I can provide:
DEVELOPMENTAL EDIT
This is not a line edit or a proofread, although I do mark many errors related to correct usage and give substantial advice on writing artfully. And this is not an edit for writers who are not interested in potentially making significant revisions to the manuscript. In this edit, I’ll be looking at issues of character development and motivation, backstory and subplots, point of view, and structure. I’ll be assessing what your story is about and how effectively you’re executing on its narrative potential.
You’ll receive from me a full edit using Word’s Track Changes plus a detailed 7-10 pg. editorial letter, depending on the length of the piece and how we decide to portion out the project (full manuscript or chunks of chapters).
This editing service is for writers who have taken their project as far as they can on their own, have self-edited it, and are ready for professional help. I highly recommend using workshops, critique groups, and beta readers first.
40,000 word+
For full-length book projects.
*Includes a one-hour follow-up Zoom call
*Price: .05/word
*Second pass (optional): .02/word
Under 40,000 words/First Pages
For novellas all the way down the word-count ladder to flash-length pieces—this is a developmental edit for your shorter works. I’ll give you feedback that will help you get your piece ready for submitting to literary magazines or other publishers. This is a great option for authors who want to make sure the first 25-50 pages of their book are strong enough to snag interest from an agent. In addition, writers who would like to sample my editing services before submitting a full-length manuscript may want feedback on a small portion of a longer work.
*Includes a 30 min. follow-up Zoom call
*Price: .06/word
*Second pass (optional): .03/word
MANUSCRIPT EVALUATION
This is a high-level overview of the strengths and weaknesses of your manuscript. In this edit, I will read your submitted pages and provide a 5-7 pg. editorial letter addressing first impressions, voice, characterization, story structure, tension, stakes, and other issues related to story execution. The evaluation does not include in-line or margin comments on the document itself. The editorial letter will give you feedback on what is working well and also problems that require further revision. This is an option many authors choose before going through the more expensive and extensive developmental editing process.
*Includes a 30-min. follow-up Zoom call
*Price: .03/word
PRIVATE COACHING PACKAGE
If you haven’t had luck finding a critique group, if you’re hesitant to jump into a class, or if you’d like to get one-on-one coaching and feedback from an encouraging private teacher, this package is for you. I can provide you with deadlines, critiques, coaching, resources, and support. Whether you’re working on book chapters or short stories, writing down personal stories for your family, writing poetry*, or something else, I can help you.
*The private coaching package includes four 30-min. coaching calls and four submissions of up to 4,000 words or three poems each
*4-Session Package: $750
*A word to poets—I cut my writing teeth on poetry. For years it was all I wrote. I won some nice awards and published in a number of prestigious journals. So, even though I do much more book editing than teaching poetry these days, I love working with poets and am happy to help you improve your craft, figure out where to submit, and assist you in getting your full-length manuscript or chapbook together.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
Query letter critique x2
A strong query letter is essential to landing an agent. In this critique, I’ll look at your structure, language, hook, emphasis, bio, and comps, and give you ideas for revision. Critique includes feedback on the initial query letter and a subsequent revision, including necessary email exchanges.
*Flat fee: $100
Synopsis
Writing a book synopsis has the reputation for being the most un-fun thing in all of writing. But when an agent asks for one, you’ll want to have it ready. I’ll help you decide which plot points to include, how to convey the major conflicts, how to describe your character’s development, and how to stick your ending. Critique includes feedback on one draft of the synopsis, including necessary email exchanges.
*Flat fee: $100
LET’S CONNECT
Fill out the contact form below and let me know about your project, including genre and word count, and any questions you have. I will get back to you through email with some follow-up questions.
Note that the wait time for me to start on your project is anywhere from two weeks to several months, depending on your project and my availability.