Time for a Tune-Up?

Another one of my passions is music. I've been playing the piano for over thirty years - wowsers! - and the one thing that makes the music sound best besides practice is a well-tuned instrument. When a piano is out of tune, even familiar songs lose their appeal. A great book is much the same way when there are developmental problems. You might be the next big thing, but poorly tuned writing will make it hard for you to get your big break.

Like a piano tuner, a developmental editor goes through every note of your manuscript and fine tunes it. Maybe there is a secondary character that is more like a two-dimensional distraction instead of the charismatic confidant you'd intended. Maybe there is a subplot you've delved into that leads the reader down a rabbit hole from which he or she may not return. Or maybe you have written your magnum opus, submitted it and keep getting form rejection letters but have no idea why.

A developmental editor can find the discrepancies in your words and help you deliver the music the way you want with the impact you need. If you find your manuscript isn't resonating with agents, please consider having your project professionally edited.

As a writer myself, I have learned the importance of having my work reviewed by a professional editor who is not a friend, family member or fan. I also know the value of a dollar, and how hard struggling writers work at their day jobs waiting for their publishing dreams to come true. For the past 1.5 years, I have been working as an intern for a successful west coast literary agent, and I have learned a lot about the publishing industry and writing books as a whole. I'm also an avid reader of all genres, and becoming a literary agent myself is a goal of mine. However, I'm taking my time to learn all that I can from some amazing women in this business, so this is a goal for a year or two down the road.

What I can offer now is my keen eye for detail and a meticulous review of your work. I am efficient with my initial review and I also offer a follow-up after the first revision, which is atypical.

I provide my services at an affordable rate (between $5-$7 per page depending on your referral status), which is half of what most developmental editors charge. I'm a human, a writer, and I understand. Life is expensive, and the costs of being creative can be a deterrent no matter how much you might need certain tools to make your creation better.

My goal is to help make your project the best it can be; therefore, I aim to be cost-effective, efficient, and a guiding light to help you get your polished manuscript out into the world. If you're interested in my fine-tuning skills or learning more about how I may be able to help you improve your novel, please feel free to email me or message me on Facebook.

Email: scribblerservices@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/scribblerservices
Instagram: @ScribblerServices
Twitter: @ScribblerSvcs

September Special

Attention Writers!

Have you received more rejections than partial or full requests on your completed manuscript? Well, you've done the hard part - written the book - but there may be something agents just aren't connecting with, which is where a developmental edit comes in.

There could be discrepancies in your world building or characterization. You may have a brilliant concept that needs more fleshing out or clarity. You could have too much exposition and not enough action. All of these issues can be identified and suggestions provided to resolve them with a developmental edit.

Normally, developmental edits run $10 or more per page, but my rates are much more affordable. Currently, I charge $5 per page for clients referred to me by a current client or a literary agent. I charge $7 per page for non-referrals. However, for September, I am offering a DEEP DISCOUNT on my already-discounted prices! So, if you're in the market for a developmental edit but have found the costs too high, now is the time to contact me.

I provide meticulous and comprehensive feedback with suggestions on how to fix any confusing or problem areas. I do so with a quick turn-around time frame, usually 2-3 weeks, so that you can revise and get your manuscript back out on the market.

I have worked with a literary agent as an intern for the past 1.5 years and now I am working as an assistant. I have written novels as well, so I fully understand the publication process from start to finish. I have also studied English, Latin, and Theater, which have given me a great number of tools to identify plot and characterization concerns.

If you're interested in working with me, please email me at scribblerservices@gmail.com to find out about my DEEP DISCOUNT for my September Special!

Saturday Series: Lessons in Grammar

At the end of July, I started a Saturday Series called "Lessons in Grammar". I have found as a Developmental Editor grammar tends to be a struggle for many writers.

Every Saturday since, I have posted a "post card" grammar lesson, which you can find on my Facebook page and Instagram feed. Each "lesson" is a common mistake I have seen or have made myself. From easily confused words like their/they're/there to information about the order of adjectives, there are fun, easy tips for everyone.