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

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.

What I Offer

First, and foremost, I am an authors' editor. As an authors' editor, I work for the author, not any publishing houses or literary agents. I work with new, unpublished, and established authors to identify concerns and provide creative solutions to resolve those concerns.

Have you written a novel but aren't getting much traction when you query agents? Are you getting requests for partials or fulls but then getting rejections? A developmental edit may be what you need. 

Developmental editing does not address grammatical errors or other copy editing concerns. It addresses the story and what is moving the story forward or keeping it stagnant. There may be characters who need more development or are not necessary. There may be an undercurrent in the manuscript which is not fully fleshed out. There may historical or cultural references which may need clarity, especially in a climate where diversity and accuracy is so important. A developmental edit can identify these issues and more and offer suggestions on how to fix them. Developmental editing gets to the root of your story and makes sure it's growing in the way the author wants.  

I offer the following with a developmental edit: 

1. A meticulous, comprehensive edit of your manuscript with multiple readings to ensure full understanding of the story at its core.
2. Detailed feedback regarding plot, character, pace, tone, and engagement - what works and what doesn't. 
3. Suggestions on how to improve what is not working as well as guidance on topics which may be historically inaccurate or culturally insensitive.

So, why should you hire me? I am highly organized, efficient, and college-educated. I have studied English, Theatre (specifically Playwriting), and Classical Languages. I have written three novels, which have yet to be published, and I am a published poet and playwright. I have been an intern and assistant for a successful west coast literary agent, who has taught me so much about the publishing industry, the publication process, and editing for publication. I also have been mentored by a successfully published Young Adult author and an editor with an imprint at Penguin Random House, both of whom provided excellent guidance and invaluable advice along my journey.

I provide feedback typically within 4-6 weeks from the receipt of payment. I do require payment upfront, but my rates are well-priced as I understand developmental editing is an extra - though often necessary - expense authors must incur. 

The standard pricing for developmental edits is $10+ per page, which can mean thousands of dollars out of pocket. However, I offer significant discounts due to my own experience as a writer working on a budget. I also frequently offer promotions, which provide additional opportunities for savings as well. 

Below is my current price list:

• Non-Referral: $7 per page on first project with a discount on future projects.
• Referral: $5 per page on first project with a discount on future projects. 

Please email me at scribblerservices@gmail.com for more information about availability and other author services I provide. Also, visit my Facebook page to keep an eye out on specials coming soon. Please like the page if you like what you see!

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