YA Success Story

Roger and I have been working together for almost seven months to perfect a draft of his YA novel, WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT ME. He called today to tell me he's landed an agent--at Andrea Brown! I'm thrilled. Roger, may the book sell faster than Thin Mints.

More Super News

Richard M., with whom I worked this spring to craft the final draft of his sci-fi love story, has signed a publishing contract with Tor Books. BRAVO, Rick!

Dear Book Editor: Just What Exactly Do You DO?

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When you decide to have your work edited or critiqued, what are your options? I've resisted posting this because projects and writers differ wildly, and I'm adamant about working on an individual basis to meet authors' and books' needs. This ain't McDonald's; there's no preset Happy Meal Edit menu!

That said, here are some rough guidelines:

I offer a few different levels of service. The most basic is pure proofreading (edits for grammar, usage, spelling, basic consistencies). The next level is a limited critique edit, which includes all the proofreading, along with comments that are basically reader-centered, offering feedback without actually rewriting or re-structuring; this includes suggestions on cutting or expansion. The most comprehensive level includes the first two as well as in-depth critique, suggestions for improvement, suggestions for re-structuring and organizing information, and occasional re-writes if necessary.

In terms of format, I edit in Microsoft Word, using the Track Changes feature. I've found this is most convenient for everyone involved, since it makes the whole process go much faster than on pen and paper (though we can send the paper ms. back and forth via snail mail if you prefer.)

Great News for a Great Client

K. C., with whom I worked on a full manuscript critique last spring, just sent me the most amazing update: her memoir-turned-novel, tentatively titled The Way We Lived Then, just sold to Grove Books. Congrats, K. C.!

More Testimonials

Michael, whose story collection I recently finished editing in-depth: "I want you to know that I really appreciate your work. I think that you would be wonderful in academia; there are so many writing instructors who can’t teach."

Eric, author of a non-fiction book: "These edits are perfect. Exactly what I wanted. Kudos to you!"

Hot Off the Press: Fresh Praise

Lynn, a current client who's working on a novel, just sent me a lovely email which read:

"You rock! You are really quick and meet your deadlines with skill. (For my job, I've been working with a writer/editor on a gardening booklet for a year and a half. And she hasn't met a deadline yet. Thank you for being so professional. I feel like I lucked out finding you."

When I asked her if I might include this on the blog, she charmingly replied: "Feel free to add at will! You can even edit my praise if you like. You're that good."

My cockles are warmed!

Greetings.

I'm an editor with five years' experience at a publishing firm in NYC and Chicago, as well as an online editing company. I was educated at Northwestern (B.A.) and Columbia (M.F.A. Fiction) and specialize in creative writing critique. My own writing has appeared in The Southern Review, Massachusetts Review, North American Review, The Tampa Review, The Gettysburg Review, Nimrod, and other journals.

People hire me to look over first drafts, to polish a final, query-able manuscript, or for tasks in between. I've worked on memoirs, works of non-fiction, and textbooks. I do this full-time, and therefore offer a speedy turnaround. I have piles and piles of references available.

As a writer myself, I understand how important it is to find an editor with whom you connect, and who understands your project. The best editing not only corrects mistakes, it polishes and sculpts the manuscript into a truer version of itself.

For an exact quote, or to speak directly to my references, send me an email at: writingandediting@gmail.com