MANUSCRIPT ASSESSMENT

As Editor, I assess manuscripts in various stages of draft and provide an overview, critique and detailed (organic) plan to move it forward. I offer you the option to revise, shape and polish the work with my guidance—or I will take it to the next level for you in preparation for publication.

With a prose manuscript, I look for POV, clarity, structure, plot, pacing, voice, character development, language, sensory detail, believable dialogue, the rendering of atmosphere, narrative urgency, level of intrigue and engagement, themes, subtext—originality, impact and more.

With a poetry manuscript, I read and listen for voice, sonic quality, rhythm, clarity, tone, narrative or theme, figurative language, level of engagement, lasting impact—and more.

For children’s picture books, I assess for age appropriate narrative and language flow, lively visual and story engagement— as well as structure and potential for original illustration and design.

For scripts, I look for a dynamic (original) concept, compelling characters, escalating conflict, authentic dialogue, voice, style, structure, pacing and theme, as well as formatting and page count.

• My fee for manuscript assessment and developmental editing depends on the length. Please contact me with a brief description of your project with page and word count—and your goals.

DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING

As Developmental Editor, I utilize my creative and analytical skills to shape and polish your manuscript. Editing strategies include reordering, reinventing, enhancing, cutting, clarifying, reorienting the spotlight, finessing subtext, amplifying nuance, reworking dialogue, making adjustments to pace and rhythm based on sentence structure, sentence length and (for poetry) line breaks—as well as formatting and copy editing oversight such as grammar, punctuation, tenses, etc. 

• Do you have a vision for a novel or your memoir— but need help to shape and develop it into a compelling story?
• Do you have a manuscript languishing on your desktop and need guidance and momentum?
• Do you have a pile of pieces (poems, prose poems or vignettes) you would like to quilt together into a coherent collection?
• Has your manuscript been rejected and you would like to reinvent it to resubmit?
• Has your memoir been rewritten multiple times based on the critique of family and well-meaning friends—but is not ready to publish?
• Do you have an idea or a draft of a children’s picture book— but don’t know how to proceed?
• Do you have an idea for a script or one that’s been rejected (multiple times) with encouraging notes—and would like to bring it to fruition?