I love to work with writers. It's exciting for me to see them move to the next step, whether it's to polish an essay or short story or to get a book manuscript into a finally-publishable version (and finally publish it!). With over twenty years experience in journalism, creative nonfiction and fiction writing, and self-publishing, I can show you how to get to that next step. I've done it and so can you!
Hourly and Long-Term Consulting
We can discuss by phone or in person whatever challenge you currently face.
Consultations can cover a range of topics, including:
My rate is $50/hour.
Your first step toward a Finished Book is to make the most of our free time together. We will meet on the phone at a time that is convenient for you. During our thirty minutes together (which usually runs up to an hour), we will determine where you are in the writing process. Are you working to formulate an idea? Are you trying to pull together several false starts? Perhaps your manuscript is complete, but you know it needs to be evaluated by a professional.
Wherever you are, by the end of this conversation, you will have some valuable information about the path forward. You will know the ways that I can help you, and you will probably have a list of action items. The only way to write a book is one word at a time. Let’s get started! Again, this service is free, so send me an email to get an appointment!
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Coaching
Writing coaching is a flexible service that will help you improve your writing, no matter your end goal. Perhaps this is the right next step for your book, or perhaps you simply want to improve your writing with a coach who provides feedback and accountability. With several years experience mentoring writers and editors, I will quickly assess your writing, help you improve your skills, and if you so desire, get you on your way to a finished book. I can also manage your project, providing accountability according to milestones and deadlines or on a weekly basis. For more information, sign up for a free consultation.
Manuscript Review: If you have a complete draft of your book but know it needs some professional help, the manuscript review isyour next step. I will look at your draft and make comments to support your writing and editing. Your actual content will not be changed. With a manuscript review in your hand, you can make edits in response to my suggestions, thus improving your manuscript. This service costs $50 per hour.
OR
Book Plan: This service is for any would-be author, from those with only an idea to those with fragmented Word documents and notes on napkins. Following a two-hour conference with you, I will map a route from where you are to your Finished Book. The price for the Finished Book Book Plan is $500.
Query Letter and Synopsis Critiques
Query Letter Critique & Consultation ($75)
I can help you review and revise your query letter to emphasize your work's strong points and your platform. I can help you create a strong lead sentence with a hook, a strong lead paragraph, and teach you how to be concise in your pitch.
After you've submitted your query and we've improved it to your satisfaction, we'll have a 15-minute phone consultation to discuss any questions you have.
To get started, please fill out the contact form below.
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Novel Synopsis Critique & Consultation ($250)
Is your synopsis running too long? Are you struggling with "synopsis-speak," where your story takes on a deadening feel? I've helped hundreds of writers improve their synopsis and can help shape your synopsis to reflect the best qualities of your work, in professional and compelling language. I'll also alert you to any red flags that may prevent an editor or agent from requesting your manuscript.
After you've submitted your synopsis and we've improved it to your satisfaction, we'll have a 15-minute phone consultation to discuss any questions you have as well as the submissions process.
Contact and Submittal FormYou're welcome to ask questions about the critique process; just use the contact form below. If you're ready to go, attach your query and/or synopsis. I'll be in touch to confirm I received it. My average turnaround time is 3-5 business days for the first edit.
Nonfiction Manuscript and Proposal Analysis
For more than a decade, I worked at a mid-size publisher that specialized in nonfiction; I was also an editor at an award-winning literary journal specializing in journalism and narrative nonfiction. I provide feedback on partial or completed manuscripts, as well as book proposals, and help you determine the best structure, style, and delivery to best serve readers and compete in the market.
In addition to giving you an editorial letter with my comments about the strengths and weaknesses of your work, I will go through your manuscript or proposal page by page, suggesting areas to cut, revise, or restructure—or where additions would be beneficial. We can then follow up with a phone call as needed to discuss.
Fees for most projects begin at $500 for proposals and $2,000 for manuscripts.
Nonfiction Manuscript and Proposal AnalysisFor more than a decade, I worked at a mid-size publisher that specialized in nonfiction; I was also an editor at an award-winning literary journal specializing in journalism and narrative nonfiction. I provide feedback on partial or completed manuscripts, as well as book proposals, and help you determine the best structure, style, and delivery to best serve readers and compete in the market.
In addition to giving you an editorial letter with my comments about the strengths and weaknesses of your work, I will go through your manuscript or proposal page by page, suggesting areas to cut, revise, or restructure—or where additions would be beneficial. We can then follow up with a phone call as needed to discuss.
Fees for most projects begin at $500 for proposals and $2,000 for manuscripts.
Please fill out the contact form and tell me about your project.
Testimonials on each page . . .
Self-Publishing AssistanceSelf-Publishing Project Management and GuidanceI can help you publish your work in print or digital form; as with all services I provide, you retain all rights (copyright). I've assisted authors with ebook production, ebook distribution, print book production, print-on-demand production, and other needs related to content sales and distribution. Click here to view a list of ways I can help. Fees for most projects begin at $2,000.
Why would you pay someone to help you, even if you can effectively research the process and do it yourself? Check out this excellent blog post by Cathy Jacobowitz; the problems she encountered are common for first-time self-pub authors. Working with someone who has traditional publishing experience can help you avoid a range of disappointments and after-the-fact cringing.
Contact and Submittal FormPlease get in touch to tell me about your book project.
Your Name (required)
Your Email (required)
Subject
Tell me about your project
Hourly and Long-Term Consulting
We can discuss by phone or in person whatever challenge you currently face.
Consultations can cover a range of topics, including:
- Deciding how and when to self-publish or e-publish
- An analysis of your overall online presence, with recommendations for improvement
- How to improve your website/blog
- Strategies for long-term author platform development and brand development
My rate is $50/hour.
Your first step toward a Finished Book is to make the most of our free time together. We will meet on the phone at a time that is convenient for you. During our thirty minutes together (which usually runs up to an hour), we will determine where you are in the writing process. Are you working to formulate an idea? Are you trying to pull together several false starts? Perhaps your manuscript is complete, but you know it needs to be evaluated by a professional.
Wherever you are, by the end of this conversation, you will have some valuable information about the path forward. You will know the ways that I can help you, and you will probably have a list of action items. The only way to write a book is one word at a time. Let’s get started! Again, this service is free, so send me an email to get an appointment!
* * *
Coaching
Writing coaching is a flexible service that will help you improve your writing, no matter your end goal. Perhaps this is the right next step for your book, or perhaps you simply want to improve your writing with a coach who provides feedback and accountability. With several years experience mentoring writers and editors, I will quickly assess your writing, help you improve your skills, and if you so desire, get you on your way to a finished book. I can also manage your project, providing accountability according to milestones and deadlines or on a weekly basis. For more information, sign up for a free consultation.
Manuscript Review: If you have a complete draft of your book but know it needs some professional help, the manuscript review isyour next step. I will look at your draft and make comments to support your writing and editing. Your actual content will not be changed. With a manuscript review in your hand, you can make edits in response to my suggestions, thus improving your manuscript. This service costs $50 per hour.
OR
Book Plan: This service is for any would-be author, from those with only an idea to those with fragmented Word documents and notes on napkins. Following a two-hour conference with you, I will map a route from where you are to your Finished Book. The price for the Finished Book Book Plan is $500.
Query Letter and Synopsis Critiques
Query Letter Critique & Consultation ($75)
I can help you review and revise your query letter to emphasize your work's strong points and your platform. I can help you create a strong lead sentence with a hook, a strong lead paragraph, and teach you how to be concise in your pitch.
After you've submitted your query and we've improved it to your satisfaction, we'll have a 15-minute phone consultation to discuss any questions you have.
To get started, please fill out the contact form below.
* * *
Novel Synopsis Critique & Consultation ($250)
Is your synopsis running too long? Are you struggling with "synopsis-speak," where your story takes on a deadening feel? I've helped hundreds of writers improve their synopsis and can help shape your synopsis to reflect the best qualities of your work, in professional and compelling language. I'll also alert you to any red flags that may prevent an editor or agent from requesting your manuscript.
After you've submitted your synopsis and we've improved it to your satisfaction, we'll have a 15-minute phone consultation to discuss any questions you have as well as the submissions process.
Contact and Submittal FormYou're welcome to ask questions about the critique process; just use the contact form below. If you're ready to go, attach your query and/or synopsis. I'll be in touch to confirm I received it. My average turnaround time is 3-5 business days for the first edit.
Nonfiction Manuscript and Proposal Analysis
For more than a decade, I worked at a mid-size publisher that specialized in nonfiction; I was also an editor at an award-winning literary journal specializing in journalism and narrative nonfiction. I provide feedback on partial or completed manuscripts, as well as book proposals, and help you determine the best structure, style, and delivery to best serve readers and compete in the market.
In addition to giving you an editorial letter with my comments about the strengths and weaknesses of your work, I will go through your manuscript or proposal page by page, suggesting areas to cut, revise, or restructure—or where additions would be beneficial. We can then follow up with a phone call as needed to discuss.
Fees for most projects begin at $500 for proposals and $2,000 for manuscripts.
Nonfiction Manuscript and Proposal AnalysisFor more than a decade, I worked at a mid-size publisher that specialized in nonfiction; I was also an editor at an award-winning literary journal specializing in journalism and narrative nonfiction. I provide feedback on partial or completed manuscripts, as well as book proposals, and help you determine the best structure, style, and delivery to best serve readers and compete in the market.
In addition to giving you an editorial letter with my comments about the strengths and weaknesses of your work, I will go through your manuscript or proposal page by page, suggesting areas to cut, revise, or restructure—or where additions would be beneficial. We can then follow up with a phone call as needed to discuss.
Fees for most projects begin at $500 for proposals and $2,000 for manuscripts.
Please fill out the contact form and tell me about your project.
Testimonials on each page . . .
Self-Publishing AssistanceSelf-Publishing Project Management and GuidanceI can help you publish your work in print or digital form; as with all services I provide, you retain all rights (copyright). I've assisted authors with ebook production, ebook distribution, print book production, print-on-demand production, and other needs related to content sales and distribution. Click here to view a list of ways I can help. Fees for most projects begin at $2,000.
Why would you pay someone to help you, even if you can effectively research the process and do it yourself? Check out this excellent blog post by Cathy Jacobowitz; the problems she encountered are common for first-time self-pub authors. Working with someone who has traditional publishing experience can help you avoid a range of disappointments and after-the-fact cringing.
Contact and Submittal FormPlease get in touch to tell me about your book project.
Your Name (required)
Your Email (required)
Subject
Tell me about your project
