DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING

 

Recommended for manuscripts in their first drafts, developmental editing involves a "big picture" critique that addresses key components like structure, characterization, chronology, and pacing. If you are interested in this service, I provide: 

  • An editorial letter: Usually ranging 5-10 pages, this is a general letter that gives an in-depth look at what I see to be a project's strengths and weaknesses, both in the context of the story itself and for the audience you hope to target. 
  • Supporting notes:  These are comments made in the margins of the manuscript itself, illustrating the points of the editorial letter in greater detail and providing signposts for suggested changes. This might mean earmarking sections that could be cut, highlighting areas that could use increased characterization, or noting places where there are narrative contradictions. 
  • Sample line edit: A close edit of the first chapter, or 25 pages, whichever feels most appropriate. I've found this to be helpful when it comes to 1.)  giving you a peek at what the next editorial step entails, and 2.) targeting consistent, low-level mistakes (jarring shifts in perspective, improper use of quotation marks, etc.) that you could potentially address on your own and save on future editing fees.

 

LINE EDITING

 

You've done several rounds of work on your manuscript and feel like the pieces are mostly in place. However, you've worked on this project so much that you worry you've become blind to the inconsistencies that can pop up between drafts. I will give your manuscript a close read, making in-text notes that focus on:

  • Improving narrative flow and polishing the prose
  • Making sure dialogue feels natural and in-character
  • Asking for clarification on timelines, characters, backstory and historical detail when appropriate
  • Eliminating repetitions or the ghosts of manuscripts past
  • Noting errors in grammar, word usage, and punctuation

I'm happy to go in blind, but can also work with notes like "I have a feeling I use the word 'vehement' too much" or "Please let me know if it makes sense for Miss Scarlet to be in the kitchen with the candlestick on page 256."

 

WRITING COACHING

 

I am offering coaching services to a select number of authors. Perhaps you need help hashing out an outline to get started, or perhaps you've written 20,000 words only to run up against a particularly thorny plot tangle. I will work with you to design a specialized editorial schedule, one that best suits your writing style and project. This could include:

  • Brainstorming via phone in order to construct an outline or develop dynamic plot developments
  • Providing chapter-by-chapter feedback and motivation
  • Being available over email to answer questions about the writing and publishing process. 
  • Acting as a sounding board for debating the requirements and viability of potential writing projects. 

 

MANUSCRIPT EVALUATION

 

Finally, if you are not sure what stage your project has reached and would like an outside reader to help gauge its readiness for the next step, I am happy to offer a quick assessment. In my positions at Penguin Random House and at Book-of-the-Month Club, I've evaluated hundreds of manuscripts, and have a good sense of a project's strength in the pool of books vying for agent support or readers' eyes.  If you would need (and elect) to pursue additional editing, I am happy to roll the charge for the assessment into my own fee, or can suggest colleagues who might be a good fit for your individual project.