A manuscript evaluation is an important beginning point for any full-length book.

 

At this stage, I assist the client in determining if the work is "on the right track" regarding numerous literary aspects including: (a) the effectiveness of the message, (b) the clarity of the structure and layout, (c) the cohesiveness of the plot, (d) the effectiveness of the characters and, (e) the consistency of the point of view.

 

My manuscript evaluations also delve into narrative arc, writing craft,  pacing, and many other aspects, depending on the genre. 

 

My manuscript evaluations are extremely helpful for writers as they provide an objective, "birds-eye-view" of the work. It can be difficult to see one's own work from this perspective, being so intimately involved with it. 

 

Getting feedback early on in the writing process can help refocus, clarify, and tighten up the structure of a piece before the next stage of editing is engaged. 

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I give detailed suggestions within the document (using Track Changes in Word) and within a supplemental manuscript evaluation report. 

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This service comes at the very beginning of the book writing process, usually before the other editing services. The book or manuscript should be complete, however, and reviewed for major errors to get the most out of the evaluation.

 

Note: For a manuscript evaluation please format your document in one file, in Word format, with 12 point font, double spaced, and with 1 inch margins. 

Authenticity/sensitivity readers (also called "diversity readers") are being incorporated into the editing process more often in today's contemporary literary overviews.  I believe this is a good trend since we live in a complex, globally-connected world and because most of us want to communicate clearly without unconscious biases obscuring our words.

 

Unless a writer intends to portray bias or prejudice as part of a character's flaws,  he/she/they want their stories (or information) to be engaging and for the intended meaning to be absorbed by the readers.  Unconscious bias alienates readers, prevents engagement, and can cause significant harm.

 

As a seasoned authenticity reader, I  will evaluate your work and respectfully identify any stereotypes, unconscious or internalized bias, and note cultural inaccuracies in the work.

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I  provide general feedback on an entire piece and specific advice on topics within my areas of expertise (contact me for more information).

 

I  provide reference information (online sources) to back up my feedback and help authors and clients portray communities and characters accurately and without bias.

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Note: For a authenticity/sensitivity reading, please format your document to be in one file, in Word, with 12 point font, double spaced, and with 1 inch margins.  

​Developmental editing is a collaborative partnership between the editor and author.  The objective is for the editor to give macro-level feedback about a wide range of literary conventions including: (a) plot structure, (b) character development, (c) point of view, (d) writing craft, (e) dialogue, (f) chapter order, (g) story beginning, (h) imagery/details, (i) transitions, and much more. 

 

For nonfiction work, I help clarify intent and message to ensure the subject matter is being clearly communicated to the book's intended audience.

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​As your developmental editor, I will work closely with you to create a product that stands out. The terms “developmental editor,” “substantive editor,” “structural editor,” and “content editor” overlap and can be used interchangeably.

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This editing service comes at the early stage of a book,  before a copy edit, but after the manuscript has been written in its entirety.  

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Please remember that this is a labor-intensive process and can take several weeks to a month to complete successfully.  But this process, coming as it does at the early stage of the manuscript, can mean the difference between a good book and a great one.

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Note: For a developmental edit, please format your work in Word with 12 pt font, double spaced, and with 1 inch margins.   The manuscript should also be in one file. 

The word "proofreading" comes from the Latin word probare, meaning to confirm by testing. Pre-publication versions of books were known as "galley proofs." The word "galley" is a reference to the metal trays that were used for the printing.  So, it was that the people who checked these proofs for errors were termed "proofreaders."

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The proofreading process comes after the manuscript has gone through numerous edits—at the very least,  a copy editing—but hopefully one or more of the services listed here on this page as well.
 

As your proofreader I look over everything with a finely-honed, pin-point focus: from the front matter (copyright page, etc.) to the pagination (numbering of pages), to back matter (appendix, glossary, index), to all of the main text (headings, page depth, margins, cross-references, running heads or feet) and much more.

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This is an incredibly important stage since it is the last chance to catch those small (or large) errors that can sometimes be missed or even introduced in the layout/formatting phase. 

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A best practice in the editing field states that the proofreader should be someone different than the copy editor or line editor. 

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The book or manuscript that is ready for proofreading has been edited and checked by a professional copy editor and has been formatted by someone expert in this particular service.

 

Note: For a proofread, please have your document formatted and in the "page proof" format,  usually an Adobe PDF file.