Having written my fair share of novels, short stories, and other forms of fiction, I know how much your project means to you. Let's face it, submitting your stories to agents is never easy. After all, letting someone else look at something you poured your heart and soul into is a little daunting.
That's why I'm here. I'll help you feel confident your writing is ready for the world to see, and agents and publishers will think so, too. As writers, we tend to get too close and too attached to our own work, which makes editing ourselves much more difficult. We miss things we feel are implied that other readers may not understand, or even think our plot is flawless, when in reality there are gaping holes that need to be filled. It happens to even the best writers. With me at your side, I will be the extra set of eyes that catch even the smallest mistake.
As the editor, I want you to be completely happy with the final outcome. I will give you all the notes I can think of, explaining my reasoning for certain changes or suggestions, but in the end, you have the final say, and I respect that. I'm here to help you polish your manuscript, not write it for you. I'll work with you in anything from plot development to a final proofreading and everything in between.
For first-time customers, I will edit five pages for free. That way you can see my work and process, and if you decide you would be better served elsewhere, you haven't lost anything. I do this because I know it can be difficult to commit to a large project without knowing much about the editor. This should alleviate any fears you may have. But, if you still have other questions or concerns, I'm more than willing to help you out.
While I will always use tact and courtesy in my notes and correspondences, my first priority is to your manuscript or project. If you're happy but the manuscript didn't come back looking as good as it could have, I failed at my job. I've been on the other side of the editor's desk more times than I can count, so I know getting back revisions can hurt. But remember, this is your project, your baby, your precious. I respect that. I also respect that you're the author, and this is your brainchild. I won't make you change anything you don't want to change.
With over a decade of experience working with fiction, and as a professional copywriter and certified copyeditor, I have the history and experience necessary to take your project and help you craft it into a work of art. My knowledge stems from a corporate setting to a full-service press publishing genre fiction, as well as training from various other professional and academic entities.
As for myself, I am a lover of science fiction and fantasy. I get excited as I explore new worlds, discover fascinating magic systems, and meet fun and engaging characters. While I do tend to float in the ocean of genre fiction more than anything, I also enjoy young adult fiction, non-fiction (World War II especially), and educational books. I do most of my editing in Chicago style, with APA coming in as a close second. If you don't have a preference, I will always go with Chicago.
Here are some of the types of projects I'll edit:
- Novels (any length)
- Novellas/novelettes
- Short stories
- Flash fiction
- Rule books (i.e. board games)
- Copy (product, website, emails, catalog, etc.)
- Blogs/articles
- Theses/academic writing
If you think I'd be a good fit for a project not listed above, feel free to contact me about it and I'll let you know if it fits my repertoire. If a project doesn't fit my particular skill set or I feel like another editor might have better credentials for the task at hand, I'm more than happy to refer you to someone who can help your manuscript or project be the best it can be. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me with any questions you may have.
Oh, one last thing. I prefer manuscripts for a general audience. Meaning, if your manuscript happened to become a movie, the content should be rated PG-13, and that should generally fall on the lighter side of the spectrum as well. If I'm working on a project that I end up being uncomfortable with due to excessive language, gory violence, explicit sexual content, or some other reason, I will return to you the edits I've made and will only charge you for what I've done, nothing more. I appreciate your cooperation with these guidelines, as it will benefit not just me, but you as well.
I look forward to working with you soon!
One of the best parts about being an editor is the people I get to work for. I know, I know, that sounds all kinds of cliché, but it's true! The writing community is an amazing place, with lots of wonderful people. I love reading your stories, your projects, and seeing life through your eyes. I love the knowledge that comes from working with non-fiction works, and I love the narratives and characters in your fiction. And above all, I love being able to lend my talents to help your project be the best it can be.
Being an editor is a rewarding job. Seeing your final projects come to life excites me, and seeing your satisfaction with my work certainly helps as well.
