If you’re a writer who wants your work to be as good as it can be before sending it out into the world, I already love you.
I’m a fairly easygoing gal, but it makes me a wee bit testy that editing has become a poor relation in this world of instant publishing,
Obviously not enough people have read Steven Pressfield’s Nobody wants to Read Your Shit, a book that offers excellent guidance for improving your writing. Even if you don’t have time to read it, the title alone should tell you that other people are unlikely to be as enamoured with your prose as you might be. As a writer-for-hire for many years, I know of what he speaks!
If you’re someone who gets that and sees Pressfield’s clear-eyed splash of reality as a goad to upping your writerly game, I love you even more.
How I Can Help
- Developmental Editing involves helping you create your nonfiction book from idea, outline, or preliminary draft. If needed, I will guide you in selecting which topics to include and which to omit from your book, and will assist with structure, research, fact verification, etc. I may work with you through several drafts, depending on the project.
- Substantive Editing occurs at a later stage of the process. For your nonfiction manuscript, I will make sure that sections lead logically from one to the other and that there is consistency and flow. For your fiction manuscript, I will focus on story elements, plot, characterization, dialogue, structure, point of view, voice, setting, word choice, sentence construction, pace, etc.
- Copy Editing entails correcting your manuscript for grammar, spelling and punctuation. I will address word choice, making sure that the words you choose convey your intent. I will also fact check, and verify headings, statistics, data in graphs, and footnote entries, where relevant.
Whether you have a completed manuscript, a work in progress or a work that is demanding to be written, contact me for a complimentary 30-minute, “stoke your writerly fire” session and let’s make your words sizzle.
Editing Packages
Get help creating a publication that you can be proud of. Click on each package for details.
You can accomplish a lot in this “power hour” writers’ coaching session. Here are some examples.
- Jumpstart a daily writing practice.
- Get a reality check on a writing project you’re considering.
- Set priorities when you have several projects you want to complete.
- Get quick feedback on a work in progress (1000 words or less, 30 minutes to read, 30 minutes to discuss).
- Develop a strategy for meeting a writing deadline.
SPECIAL BONUS: A follow-up email to highlight key discoveries and commitments.
- Written assessment of the following aspects of your work, as applicable – readability, content/concept, theme, style, structure, story, plot, subplots, setting, characterization, dialogue/narration, and marketability.
- Follow-up coaching call, 30-60 minutes in duration (depending on the length/complexity of the project) to discuss the assessment, to clarify outstanding issues, next steps, etc.
If your manuscript is more than 400 pages, contact me and I’ll give you a quote!
- Written assessment of screenplay with commentary on story, plot, structure, characterization, dialogue, setting, theme, etc., as well as notes on readability, formatting, and marketability.
- Follow-up coaching call, 30-60 minutes in duration (depending on the length/complexity of the project) to discuss the assessment, to clarify outstanding issues, next steps, etc.
If your screenplay is more than 120 pages, contact me and I’ll give you a quote!
- One-on-one coaching + unlimited email coaching to establish 3-5 key goals, to create and sustain a writing plan, and to address resistance and other barriers to productivity.
Let’s schedule a 30-minute complimentary call so that I can tailor a package to suit your needs.
- One-on-one coaching + unlimited email coaching to establish 3-5 key goals, to create and sustain a writing plan, and to address resistance and other barriers to productivity.
- For a nonfiction or fiction work, includes 10 hours of work-in-progress assessment and/or developmental/ substantive editing.
- For a screenplay, includes 10 hours of work-in-progress assessment and/or story editing.
Let’s schedule a 30-minute complimentary call so that I can tailor a package to suit your needs.
- A qualifying process to ensure that you’re ready to begin your book now
- One-on-one telephone or Skype coaching to help you conceive, organize, and begin your book.
- Personalized exercises to help you gain clarity and motivation
- A wrap-up process to ensure that you leave the session with a clear writing plan and the motivation to get writing!
Let’s schedule a 30-minute complimentary call so that I can tailor a package to suit your needs.
- A preliminary process to assess where you’re at, what your challenges are, and what you want to achieve
- One-on-one telephone or Skype coaching to hone your vision, establish realistic goals, and generate a doable plan.
- A wrap-up process to ensure that you leave the session inspired and clear about next steps.
Let’s schedule a 30-minute complimentary call so that I can tailor a package to suit your needs.