Editing services

Let’s face it: It’s hard to get your book on a bookstore shelf.

For those pursuing traditional publishing, the competition to get the attention of an agent or publisher is intense, and it seems that each year, you have to do more to stand out.

I liken this to the job market these days: You need more qualifications, more skills, more extras to get the job that twenty years ago may have only required half of those credentials. You want to do everything you can to stand out, right?

For those pursuing self-publishing, you’re still competing for your reader’s attention. There’s so many books out there—anyone self-publishing needs to do everything possible to get noticed.

That’s where I come in.

Truth time: I cannot guarantee that your book will be named the next Book of the Year or make a Bestseller’s List, nor can I guarantee that a publisher/agent will choose your book as their next project. But I can help you create the best possible version of your story so that it stands the best chance of getting noticed. I will look at your book through the eyes of a reader, identifying gaps, strengthening storylines, and smoothing the edges.

But why should I hire you…

…When there are editors working at publishing houses who will work with me for free?

Excellent question, and if you’re already aligned with a publisher and in a working relationship, please don’t hire me. You already have the resource you need.

However, if you haven’t yet signed with a publisher or you are publishing your story yourself, you do need to ensure that your story is the best possible version it can be. Otherwise, it won’t get noticed. Or worse, it’ll get noticed for all the wrong reasons.

Your story needs to be solid before you submit to publishers.

Newsletter for Memoir Writers

But why should I hire you…

…When there are editors working at publishing houses who will work with me for free?

Excellent question, and if you’re already aligned with a publisher and in a working relationship, please don’t hire me. You already have the resource you need.

However, if you haven’t yet signed with a publisher or you are publishing your story yourself, you do need to ensure that your story is the best possible version it can be. Otherwise, it won’t get noticed. Or worse, it’ll get noticed for all the wrong reasons.

Your story needs to be solid before you submit to publishers.

If you’re self-publishing, your story needs to be strong.

Using the personal editing process that I’ve refined over the past 15+ years of working as a freelance editor, I’ll guide you through the necessary editing stages that will strengthen and develop your story.

I employ a coaching style throughout the entire editing process—from the initial structural edit to the final proofread—so you never feel like you’re being scolded. In fact, if I’m doing my job correctly, you should feel comforted, encouraged, and inspired to keep going. The writing journey can often be isolating, but I can travel alongside you and be your own personal guide through the jungle of underdeveloped characters, inconsistent language, unrealistic plot points, insensitive language/topics, illogical flow/order, weak messaging… the list goes on.

You have a goal to see your story in print.

(Otherwise, you probably wouldn’t have found yourself on my website.) I can work with you to take the necessary steps to reach that goal.

When I work 1:1 with an author, I become a part of their life. This is why I only take on a limited number of clients per month — I want you to have my focus and attention.

If you’re the type of writer who prefers a hands-off approach, I may not be the best choice for you. When I work with writers of all levels, I schedule frequent check-ins, I provide support and advice, I provide educational opportunities if requested (to strengthen writing skills), and I often form relationships that last well beyond the length of the project itself.

If you hire me to help strengthen your story, I make the following commitments to you:

I promise to never take over your voice.

This is your work, not mine. I will never rewrite your words. I may offer suggestions and examples to show you how a piece of writing could be altered, but I will never lose your voice. It is my job to offer suggestions; it is your right to decide how and which ones you will implement. At the end of the edit, you should still recognize your work as yours…just a more solid version.

I promise to provide honest and straightforward advice in a constructive and empowering manner.

I will never* tell you that your story is “awful,” “terrible,” or a “disaster,” as I don’t believe that kind of negative messaging helps anyone. Instead, I will point out where your story needs strengthening, what isn’t moving the message forward, and where I think you should spend time focusing on. (*Exception: I do not tolerate hate messages, racism, or messages of intolerance in any form.)

I promise to be your coach and engage your input.

My style is to ask a lot of questions. By using a more coach-like approach, you’ll become more engaged in the process. I’ve found this approach to be most helpful for writers looking to improve their storytelling and writing craft.

I promise to be genuine in my recommendations and never take advantage.

If I suggest that your manuscript would benefit from a certain type of editing, that is a recommendation 100% based on my experience. I will never suggest a service that isn’t needed, just so I can buy myself fancy things. In fact, I’ll be honest with you about what services you don’t need to invest in with me, as it is never my intention to take advantage of writers looking to enhance their skills.

I promise to respect your words.

It’s hard to write a book, and I promise to never forget that. It’s also hard to hand over your work to someone else and trust that they’ll take care of it. I’m also an author, so I get how personal the writing process is. The author–editor relationship is one that should not be rushed into or mismatched. If I realize that I’m not the best editor for you, I’ll do my best to either refer you to another editor or point you in the direction of where you can find experienced and skilled editors. A good editor will know other editors and have established relationships with them. To the writers who do choose me: Thank you for trusting your words to me. I never take this honour lightly, and I promise to take care of them while they’re in my care.

Whether you are pursuing a traditional publisher or venturing into the entrepreneurial space of self-publishing, I can help you put forward the best possible version of your story.

VIEW MY RATES

I offer the following levels of editing for memoir, fiction and non-fiction writers:

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Query Letter
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Copy edit
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Proofread
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Structural Edit
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Publisher Research
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Reference Formatting*

To read more about these different types of editing, please click here.

*(for academic & non-fiction works)

MEMOIR WRITERS: SIGN UP TO MY NEWSLETTER FOR MEMOIR WRITERS

Memoir writers have a special place in my heart—I love to guide them through the process of writing their story. For that reason, I’m launching a special newsletter just for memoir and non-fiction writers.

Sign up to receive quick tips, strategies, resources, advance notice on course and webinar offerings, and (most importantly) encouragement for writing your story.

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