A LITTLE ABOUT MY SERVICES

I offer both

Proof reading: to identify spelling and grammatical errors

Developmental editing for fiction  to identify  

a goal for each chapter that remains consistent
where to start the book for greatest reader interest
adequate scene setting
consistent tense and tone throughout the manuscript
awkward sentence structure
stilted word use 
missing bridges between sentences, paragraphs, or chapters
dialogue that flows and sounds reasonable for the genre
interesting descriptions
weak/passive verbs and suggest strong/active verbs that provide punch
back story without info-dumping
first and last sentence for every chapter that provides a hook that draws the reader in
repetitious phrases or words
other needs you request or become apparent as I read

Developmental editing specifically for nonfiction includes suggestions for:

clear outline that relates to the book title
front matter that matches chapters
a tone that engages the reader
stronger verbs that provide  punch and enhance reader interest
relevant figures that are numbered by chapter and included in a list of figures
consistent tone
lack of redundancy
smooth writing flow
making all sentences in a paragraph relate to the topic sentence
content appropriate to reader level
appropriate references
other editing depending on your needs or those I identify as I read your work

ABOUT MY FEES

I will edit the first page of your manuscript for free so you can see the kind of work I do.
If we agree to work together, the fee is one cent a word and includes another look at the first page if you make the revisions I suggest. You will pay me through PayPal in advance per thousand words. You are free to only send me the first three chapters or whatever you think is relevant.          

IF YOU ARE WRITING A NONFICTION BOOK

If you are writing a nonfiction book and going with a traditional publisher and not self-publishing, you will need a proposal for your book, which usually includes a stunning title, a table of contents for the proposal, an overview that includes a hook for why your audience must have this book, your credentials for writing this book, related books (your competition and why yours will be better), table of contents for the book,  1-3 sentence description of what is included in each chapter, and up to 3 sample chapters. For more details, read The Shortest Distance Between You and a Published Book by Susan Page. You can find it on Amazon.com.

Usually, a nonfiction book is bought on spec with a proposal only, so don't waste your time writing the full book unless you plan to self-publish. Also, if you plan to go with a traditional publisher, they will insist you have a strong platform for selling your book, so start writing a blog or develop a web site on the topic and get thousands of readers or have a popular online or regular radio or TV show or newsletter. You have to prove your book can sell. If you do workshops and can sell books there, that could help, but competition is stiff.

IF YOU ARE WRITING A FICTION BOOK

Start a blog or newsletter and get a loyal following. Know what's selling and the direction publishing is going.

A NOTE ABOUT SELF-PUBLISHING

For all these reasons, millions of writers are now self-publishing on Amazon.com, Smashwords.com, and/or Barnesandnoble.com. Look into this option, but you will still need an editor because readers are leery of the quality of self-published books...often for good reason. 

 You always provide me with a perfect critique. I love the detail and the thought-provoking questions you ask. Each comment challenges my thinking and makes me look at things in a different light. That is what I crave in all the feedback I get. There are not many people in this world that are able to do that. Thank you for your time and effort. All your comments are placed in my special collection that I try to review when I start a new story.

Thanks,

Jay


Nonfiction

Dear Carolyn,

I received a copy of the book and I think it is absolutely beautiful. I will be requiring it for my students. I can't say enough wonderful things about the book and your abilities! I love the title, the content, the color, the size, and totally everything about it! Thank you for introducing me to this project and working with me on my first chapter. I learned a lot from your leadership and if you ever decide to do another nursing text, I hope you will give me a chance to evidence what I learned in my first go-around. I wish you well in all your endeavors!

Fondly - Jan

MY PHILOSOPHY

I am not a ghostwriter and I don't change your content or intent. It is my hope that my editing will teach you many new things you can use in future books to strengthen your writing.

MY GUARANTEE

I will not change the content of your work, only make suggestions that I believe will strengthen it. Then, it is up to you to decide whether you want to make the suggested changes. If you like, I will look at your manuscript after you've revised it and will only charge you for the specific sentences I have to review or have suggestions for. The charge in this case will be one cent for every two words, or half price.  If you wish additional editing on that manuscript, we can discuss additional charges. Most often, if you follow my suggestions, two rounds are usually sufficient to bring your manuscript up to or above most published manuscripts.

If, after the first one thousand words, you do not agree I have strengthened your work, I will gladly refund your entire payment with the hope I've given you some things to think about when editing your own manuscript.


TO PROCEED

Fill in the box below to contact me with additional questions or to submit your first page and email address. Also tell me if you are self-publishing or going the traditional publisher route and what your schedule is for me to finish my editing. 

If we decide to work together, you'll return to this page and click on the BUY NOW button below.