How does the submission or consultation process work?
We’ll have a complimentary conversation (by Zoom, phone, or email) to discuss your project, get to know each other a bit, talk about my coaching, editing, or writing style (whichever service you’re interested in), and determine whether I’m the right fit for your needs.
Based on your project goals, we put together a plan and sign a basic agreement that explains the terms and scope of the job.
Submission Guidelines for Editing
You’ll send me your manuscript in a MS Word document. Depending on what we’ve agreed upon, some of the work I do might include:
Provide detailed margin notes throughout your manuscript identifying strengths and weaknesses.
Discuss full arc of the manuscript, the authenticity and consistency of the narrative voice, the overall structure and chapter-by-chapter breakdown, plus structure and formatting. For fiction manuscripts, I will also pay attention to plot, tension/conflict, pacing, setting, characterization, dialogue, point of view, and voice.
Offer suggestions for de-cluttering your prose.
Flag basic errors such as spelling, punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure.
Help you bridge transitions between drafts.
Guide you through all stages of writing a book, from imagining the story to proofreading.
I will send back your manuscript with an editorial letter outlining my comments in detail. You will have every opportunity you need to review and discuss my suggestions and ideas.
The following is a list of types of manuscripts I can help you with:
Individual short stories
Fiction collections
Novels, including literary, young adult, middle grade, and genre fiction
Novellas
Individual essays or blog posts
Essay collections
Book-length creative non-fiction
Memoir
To read about the different stages of editing I provide, click HERE
Submission Guidelines for Story Coaching
Because story coaching runs the gamut from motivational support to teaching the craft, each client consultation varies greatly. It costs nothing to talk about your vision for your project–so what are you waiting for?