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.

Common Editorial Tips

Writers often ask what are the most common tips an editor can provide to improve writing? I've asked this question myself, and there are several resources to consider; Stephen King's On Writing and Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott are two of my favorites. I have also been fortunate enough to work with a successful literary agent as an intern over the past 1.5 years, who has imparted much wisdom to me on this topic.

Below are three important tips you may find helpful as you revise your magnum opus:

Showing Versus Telling: I have been guilty of "telling" my audience so much, especially when I first started writing. And sometimes "telling" is important as it can be a way to provide our readers with valuable information. However, "showing" our readers a situation evokes feeling and imagination, which is going to enrich your story and engage your reader so much more than "telling" ever could. Use strong descriptors to paint the scene and what the character sees and feels.

Reduce Your Use of Adverbs: Cross out the word "very" every time you use it. Adverbs are helpful, but they also give off a sense of laziness. Is your character "very angry" or "spitting nails she's so mad"?

Pacing: How fast or slow your plot moves can be the death of a great story. Pacing is so important, but what is the best way to keep the pace when writing? The best advice I've ever received on pacing is this: make sure at least three things are happening in every chapter to drive your story forward. Use the characters, the setting, and plot points to engage the reader and keep his/her interest.

For more tips, follow this blog or reach out to me personally on Facebook or via email at scribblerservices@gmail.com. If you are having trouble getting representation for your project, a developmental edit may be what you need. Contact me - I'd love to help!


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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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Terms and Conditions of Service

When I take on a new client, I typically explain what services I am going to offer in an email. However, I think it is important to also share my Terms and Conditions of Service for anyone interested in hiring me to edit their project. 

The Terms and Conditions of Service are standard to most freelance editing contracts and fair to both parties involved. Please take a moment to read this important information and reach out to me with any questions or clarification you may need. 

At the end of the day, it is my hope to help you, the Author, write the best novel you can so you can achieve your publishing dreams. I want to see you succeed and I want your story told. I hope you will consider working with me; I thank you for reviewing my terms and conditions of services; and I look forward to whatever challenges may lie ahead.

Terms and Conditions of Service

1. Services Offered. The Editor agrees to provide a substantive Developmental Edit to the Author within the agreed upon time (typically 4-6 weeks from the date of payment received. The Developmental Edit will examine troublesome writing habits on a large scale which permit fatal errors in structure. This includes examining the strengths and weaknesses of the manuscript relevant to engaging the target audience, character development, and the construction of the plot and story arc. A Line Edit or Copy Edit may be offered additionally but will be negotiated separately from the Developmental Edit. 

2. Author Responsibility. The author will promptly review the completed deliverable and notify the Editor within 5 business days of any issues. The Editor will then make any necessary corrections at no additional cost to the Author. If the Author does not notify the Editor of any issues within this period, the deliverable is considered accepted and the work complete. 

3. Cancellation of Services. All sales and payments are final after 7 calendar days for services rendered. Should the Author decide to cancel payment, he or she must do so before the seventh calendar day in order to receive a full refund. Once the project is in process, either party may terminate the Agreement in the even of material change of circumstance within the first 7 calendar days. Notice must be sent in writing to the other party at the email address provided. If the Editor terminates the Agreement, the Author will pay the Editor for the work done up to the date of termination, and the Editor will refund over-payment. If the Author terminates the Agreement, the Author will pay the Editor for the work completed up to the date of termination, but this amount will not be less than 50% of the estimated total for the project. 

4. Payments. Prepayment is required via PayPal or Walmart-to-Walmart transfer. However, if payment arrangements are provided, the Editor retains ownership of all work performed, including all relevant intellectual property rights, until the Editor receives full payment from the Author. Use of the work before that time by the Author represents a violation of this Agreement unless said use is agreed to in writing by the Editor.

5. Refunds. All refund requests must be submitted in writing and will be processed within 6-8 weeks via PayPal or Walmart-to-Walmart transfer. Full refunds will only be processed in the event of the following two scenarios on a case-by-case basis: 

• The Agreement is terminated in writing within the first 7 calendar days.
• The Author has secured promotional pricing with advance payment but services have not yet been rendered. 

6. Privacy. The Editor agrees not to reproduce, give, or show to anyone any material sent to her by the Author for editing purposes, unless consulting services from a third party are agreed to by the Author in advance. 

7. Guarantees. No guarantees are made as to the salability or marketability of the edited manuscript. Nor is there a guarantee that the manuscript will be completely error-free, though all efforts will be made to make it so. No guarantees are made as to whether the edited manuscript will secure literary agent representation, although all efforts will be made by the Editor to improve the manuscript provided by the Author. Unless a co-writing/co-authorship arrangement is agreed upon in writing prior to publication, all royalties and monies gained by the sale of the book will be the sole property of the Author.

8. Indemnity. The Editor will provide only those services specified in the initial offer letter or email. Because the Author and its representatives are the experts in the subject matter, and the Editor is not, the Author assumes full responsibility for verifying the validity of the work submitted by the Editor. The Author shall thus hold the Editor blameless for any unanticipated consequences of accepting the Editor's work, and agrees to indemnify and save harmless the Editor from any and all claims or demands, without limitation, arising out of any alleged libel or copyright infringement or other problem committed by the Author in creating the work. The Editor shall make every effort to bring questionable information to the attention of the Author, but shall not be held responsible for any failure to identify such information. 

©2017-2020 by Tara Goodyear. All Rights Reserved.

Hello World!

Please allow me to introduce myself: my name is Tara. I am a writer, blogger, book reviewer, poet, playwright, and a developmental editor. I am also an assistant to a Literary Agent on the west coast, who I was previously an intern for over the past 1.5 years. I have learned so much, and I look forward to sharing it here. I am also working toward becoming a Literary Agent myself, so hopefully you will share in that grand adventure as well.

I have written three novels of my own - all Young Adult Fiction - and am currently working on my fourth, which is a Thriller (my first adult fiction novel - yay!). Like some of the authors I have worked with, I am working toward publication as well. I have a lot of experience with querying agents, giving and receiving feedback, and dealing with what I feel is the only downside of being a creative type - rejection. 

I studied English, Theater and Classical Languages (Latin) at the College of Charleston, and I also took a multitude of classes in poetry writing, playwriting, business communications, and writing fiction. I have worked as a proofreader and copy editor for five years, and I have also worked as a skilled content writer for several private clients and companies. I love words, I love to read, and most of all I love helping others with their creative endeavors.

I offer developmental editing services with comprehensive and meticulous feedback as well as creative suggestions to work through any stumbling blocks or problem areas in your manuscript. I offer affordable rates, including discounts for multi-book edits and referrals. Most of all, I value your time and provide my services with a short turn-around time. 

So, if you're receiving more rejection emails and letters than partial or full requests but you're not sure where to go from here, email me at ScribblerServices@gmail.com and let's see if I can help. 

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