I draw experience from my work editing journals, magazines, books, websites and marketing material. My manuscript editing services may or may not be done in conjunction with coaching. My initial consultation will always include a recommendation if I believe a manuscript needs more substantial work.

Copyediting:
I offer a line-by-line edit of your manuscript for grammar, spelling and punctuation errors. I also review for style, clarity and and consistency. I recommend doing this step immediately prior to publication but not in the initial stages of work.

Developmental Editing:
This type of editing is most useful after a rough draft has been completed, but can occur at any point in the process.  For example, I can also respond to ideas that are quite fresh or have not yet hit the page. You'll get a high-level, in-depth review of structural and story integrity.  I will evaluate a number of key components, including characterization, motivation, plotting, pacing, narrative, setting, themes, scenes and so forth.  I will identify what works and what doesn't.  Together, we'll discuss options for reshaping the work so it is more robust and engaging.

Manuscript Evaluation:
When you are done with your book or article and are ready to go for a final round of edits, it's useful to bring in a set of fresh eyes. As in developmental editing, I'll read for high-level, story and structural integrity. I will offer you an overall critique of your manuscript, that includes how well you've engaged me emotionally and how well you have hit key aspects of storytelling.  We'll talk about market potential. You'll receive a thorough written response that ranges from three to 30 pages, depending on the length of the work.

Particulars:
I am  familiar with various style manuals and conventions, including Associated Press, the Chicago Manual of Style and the American Psychological Association.  I can either work on hard copies or electronically with track changes. If a client so desires, we  can meet in person or over the phone to discuss my editing recommendations.


Coaching & Editing

Great coaching and editing bring out the best in writers. A coach helps writers reach the top of their game by teaching them how to perfect their performance. An editor reviews manuscripts and corrects errors of style, substance and grammar.

I offer a combination of editing and coaching, geared toward a client's particular needs.  I offer basic copyediting and manuscript consultation, but most writers hire me to assist them with the complex tasks of planning, writing, publishing and marketing their work.
The intensity and individualized focus of my sessions enables clients to rapidly master both craft and art.

I work with beginning and experienced writers in various genres, including history, business, memoir, New Age and spiritual, how-to, fiction and creative nonfiction. My clients include university professors, psychologists, entrepreneurs, nonprofit administrators, retirees and students. They are widely published and several have won writing  awards.

My skill as a coach and mentor will bring out the best attributes in your work.  I offer positive, constructive, specific, solutions-based feedback. When appropriate, I also offer clients a "team writing" approach, which is a joint brainstorming and writing session.  My broad background -- editing, writing, teaching, academia, public relations and internet marketing -- makes me well-suited to help writers in many areas.

In addition to my professional experience, I have studied with many outstanding writers and editors.  These include Bob Early, longtime editor of Arizona Highways, Lee Gutkind, editor of Creative Nonfiction and Bobbie Louise Hawkins, award-winning fiction writer who teaches at Naropa University.  At Arizona State University, I've studied with creative nonfiction writers Stephen J. Pyne and Paul Morris, poets Alberto Rios and  Cynthia Hogue,  fiction writer Mike McNally and playwrite Jay Boyer.
The Editing Process
Spring Coaching Special
Ten hours for $500  (a $900 value)
Purchase before April 15, 2011
Session good anytime
The Coaching Process

I start by assessing my clients' writing skills and the viability of their projects. We work together to clearly identify their personal and professional goals. From there,  we identify their strengths and challenges in writing, managing and marketing their work.

We then plan our sessions together to address their specific needs. I might, for example, recommend some additional reading or strength-training exercises.  Most sessions last two hours and I work with clients either in person or on the phone.

Aspects we address in coaching:

* Setting and sticking to goals

* Identifying writing strengths and weaknesses

* Kickstarting creativity

* Overcoming writer’s block

* Learning positive writing habits

* Meeting deadlines

* Crossing  genres

* Prose sharpening

* Setting scenes

* Supersleuthing

* Evoking emotion

* Telling the story

* Mining for character motivation

* Perfecting pacing and plotting

* Ethics

* Using poetic language

* Query letters

* Pitching proposals