Services
Blueprint Coaching
Whether you have a complete draft, just an idea and some notes, or something in between, this process will help you nail down the most important elements of your story and learn to think, write, and talk about it in a way that readers and literary agents will expect. After 3–5 rounds of feedback, you'll come out with a solid Blueprint (a "living, breathing" planning document) and an Inside Outline (which marries plot developments with the meaning for your protagonist[s], ensuring they drive the narrative)—a solid foundation as your write forward.
Manuscript Assessment
If you've taken your manuscript as far as you can on your own, the next step is to determine which elements need the most work. And that isn't possible without my first reading the entire text. In the assessment, I'll immerse myself as both reader and editor, providing focused feedback on what works, what doesn't, and what could work better. You'll get both in-document comments as well as a summary letter. What you do with this feedback is up to you, but such an assessment leads organically into... (see next service)
Full-Immersion Edit
A custom blend of workshopping, developmental/content editing, and copy editing—basically doing whatever the text needs to read fluidly and convey your intended message—all through multiple rounds of trading documents, comments, questions, and wisdom. It’s an empowering journey of growth for both you and your manuscript. At the end, you'll have a fully edited manuscript as well as a detailed style sheet to guide the rest of the process—proofreading, layout, etc.
Copy/Line Editing
I'll correct errors in spelling, grammar, usage, and punctuation; check cross-references; and prepare a style sheet to guide consistency and accuracy across the manuscript for the author and any subsequent editors (copy editing). And because I can't help myself, I'll also make recommended changes to any passages that need a little boost to improve language and style (line editing).
Proofreading
If you're just looking for someone to sand the odd rough edge and sweep up the sawdust, so to speak, I have you covered. I'll find lingering, egregious errors in punctuation, spelling, and consistency, referring to a provided style sheet (if you have one). If your copy editor did not keep a style sheet, I can make one as I proofread at additional cost, as it is necessary to ensure consistency.
Formatting/Typesetting
I'll make your story pretty on the page, ready for print wherever you choose to do that. My background in graphic design helps here. (I can also handle simple cover design, but I do not specialize in that area.)
E-Book Conversion
I'll make your story read cleanly on e-readers.
Rates
Every project is different and requires different levels of focus, so cost is something to be negotiated. Context matters, and that includes word count, budget, scope, timeline, goals, etc. Like many editors, I consider the Editorial Freelancers Association's median rates when negotiating project fees, but those rates are not set in stone. I offer a free discovery meeting to see if we gel, and I'm happy to answer questions, so feel free to start the conversation.
