You’ve gone to the trouble of writing a great book. The characters are interesting, the plot is exciting, the setting is unique. But is it the best it can be?
Probably not. Even if you’re a professional writer or an editor with years of experience, I promise you, if you don’t have another set of eyes on your work, it’s not going to be the best it can be. You’re simply too close to your work. Think of your book as your child — your child is perfect, right? Well, the same thing happens with your book. You just can’t see it the way your readers will see it.
What you need is an objective expert who knows books, punctuation, grammar, pacing, character development, and plotline. Someone who can fix the errors you can’t see and point out places where you could improve the story line. Someone who will help you repair mistakes in continuity and recommend changes that will make your main character someone the reader can connect with.
What you need is me. My passion is the written word. I have a degree in English and journalism, and I have years of experience as an editor, working in magazine and for a small press. I’m also a writer, so I understand what your book means to you. Let me help you shape your book into the best it can be.
Services available:
- One-pass proof: A lot of authors like to have a different proofer than their editor, just to see if the first editor missed anything. Good idea! If it’s been professionally edited and you just need a read-through to catch the stragglers, the one-pass proof is perfect.
- Proofreading/line edit: If you’re a proficient editor and need a second pair of eyes for spelling, punctuation (commas!), and grammar, proofing is the right level for your book. If I notice something weird, I’ll flag it.
- Content edit: If you’re happy with your book but want to ensure that you have no minor problems, such as continuity errors (common when you move scenes — suddenly your characters are discussing something that hasn’t happened yet), this is your level. A content edit will also point out places where the action drags, where the narrative is confusing, where scenes should be given more detail (or less), or where characters are not acting in character. I’ll give special attention to the flow of the sentences — nothing stops your reader like awkward wording. Of course, line edits are included.
- Critique: Before you even get to the editing phase, it can help to have a critique. Maybe you have the feeling something is wrong but you can’t put your finger on it. Maybe you’re a proficient editor, but you know you need a second opinion about the plot line, the characters, the suspense building. I’ll give you a detailed report that includes my overall impressions of the strengths and weaknesses of both this book and your writing in general; an assessment of the book’s intro, the pacing, the plot, the ending, and the characters;and I’ll finish up with a bit of a tutorial, explaining the grammar/punctuation errors you should watch for in future writing. You’ll do the fixes from there.
If you’re not sure what your work needs, send me a sample chapter, and I’ll let you know what level of editing I think your book requires.
You put a lot of time, sweat, and tears into your work. Don’t let stupid grammar errors and simple mistakes give readers an excuse to put your book down. And don’t trust your hard work to someone who just loves to read and doesn’t have the education to back up their claims. A professional can give you the professional presentation you need. Contact me about your project: alisa.carter@yahoo.com.
