It’s no good having written the next number one bestseller if no-one will read it. For many people, the sticking point in the process of getting published is getting from a draft to a polished and marketable product that will be appealing to agents and publishing houses.
That’s what I’m for.
I offer a range of services for novelists, including:
A basic proofread - because sometimes the only thing making your manuscript seem unprofessional is a missing apostrophe. I will go through the entire manuscript, removing spelling and grammatical errors, adding back words that have been accidentally missed out of sentences, and fixing the sort of minor errors which crop up in even the best first drafts.
Copyediting. This is the next step up from proofing, and requires a more involved read through the manuscript. At the copyediting level, I will point out that in your novel, every day seems to be Tuesday; that in the course of a twenty minute conversation it has gone from being late evening to broad daylight; that you have used the name ‘Jeremy’ for three different characters and it’s getting confusing.
The Style Edit. At this level, I am working with you to make your manuscript feel consistent and polished. The Style Edit includes detailed notes on pacing, tone and character development, based on a consultation about your plans for the novel as a whole.
The Complete Edit. This is everything and the kitchen sink. The Complete Edit covers everything from copyediting and proofing to notes on the overarching plot and themes of the novel, and will often include substantial changes to the structure. During a Complete Edit, I comprehensively deconstruct the existing manuscript and work with you to make it the best and most marketable version of itself.
Outlining and Idea Development. Do you have a brilliant idea for a novel, but no idea how to go about making it work as a complete story? Have you got 20,000 words in and now have no idea where you’re going? I can help you with that. Depending on the existing state of the project, I provide detailed plans for structure and themes which will help you get on with the business of actually writing.
Hiring me is not just a process of sending off your manuscript and getting a slightly different one back; I want to talk to you about your work and what you want out of it so that I can help you express yourself. I love good books, and I want there to be more of them in the world - including yours.
