“Storytelling is
the most
powerful way
to put ideas
into the world
today.”
Robert McAfee Brown
editorial & content services
Below are the services I offer as a content consultant and seasoned book editor. Many of these services can also apply to non-book projects, such as work presentations, articles, or decks. Starting rates are listed below but are subject to change depending on the project and in some cases, word count. Pricing applies to both fiction and nonfiction content/books.
Content Consultation
Do you have an idea that you want to get off the ground? Think you would benefit from a brainstorming partner who can help take you from a great idea to a well thought-out proposal, rough draft, or deck? Then this service is for you!
In our 30-minute video content consultation, I'll review your idea and brainstorm with you to establish a clear direction and move-forward steps so you feel confident executing a rough draft of your idea or story. I will review your idea from multiple perspectives – including but not limited to a big picture review of the plot and its ultimate purpose or message, character creation, target audience, market viability, user experience – and work together with you to find your story.
What your session includes:
● 30-minute video call
● Answers to industry questions
● Follow-up check-in via email
Outline Review
If you’re working on crafting an outline and think you might benefit from some guidance, this is the right service for you! This service is extremely beneficial for longer form projects and all types of nonfiction.
I will review and mark up your existing outline and help you hone in on the right backbone and proposed structure of your work for your stated purpose. This review includes feedback regarding structure, user/reader experience, and target audience to help ensure that the building block of your future project is strong and organized. If art is being used or created for your project, I will review art suggestions or suggest a plan for how to implement the art.
This will be followed up with a video call to walk through the feedback together and discuss questions you have.
No matter how long or short your project is, content organization is key!
What this service includes:
● Critique of outline mark-up of questions, comments, or suggestions
● 1-2 page editorial letter including my overall assessment of the outline and big picture suggestions
● 30-minute video call to review the feedback
● Follow-up check-in via email
Voice & Character Workshop
Are you experiencing any challenges finding the right voice for your project? Are you looking for an experienced eye to assess your tone and offer feedback regarding its success and marketability? This service is your solution.
Voice is a fundamental element of success, particularly if you are crafting characters. Readers long to make emotional connections between themselves and the characters they read about – be they fiction or nonfiction; workshopping your voices with me can help set you and your characters on the right path. Voice can also be crucial in nonfiction projects as well.
Whether your reader is looking for a voice that’s kind, nurturing, spiritual, authoritative, empathetic, encouraging, down-to-earth, or any other tone, I’ll help you find the right one.
My editorial mark-up will be followed up with a video call to walk through the feedback together and discuss questions you have.
What this service includes:
● Critique of project or manuscript with mark-up of questions, comments, and suggestions focused specifically on character or narrator voice
● 45-minute video call to review the feedback
● Follow-up check-in via email
Manuscript Critique
Every writer knows that stories go through draft after draft of revisions before they are ready to be set free in the world. With this service, I will offer you a critical editorial review of your manuscript draft – whether it’s your first draft or your fiftieth. I’ll review and mark-up your manuscript for big-picture elements, including character development, tone, plot, and pacing. For projects with art, I will also review the art suggestions/notes. I will mark up the manuscript with specific notes, comments, and editorial suggestions and share the marked-up critique with you via email.
This will be followed up with a video call to walk through the feedback together and discuss questions you have.
What this service includes:
● Critique of manuscript with mark-up of questions, comments, or suggestions
● 1-2 page editorial letter including my overall assessment of the outline and big picture suggestions
● 30-minute video call to review the feedback
● Follow-up check-in via email
Dummy or Storyboard Critique
For the storyteller who writes and illustrates – this service is for you! The illustrations of a picture book – be it a board book or a nonfiction narrative – require just as much editorial love and attention as the manuscript does. My review of your dummy or storyboard will assess both your words and pictures as equal partners in the storytelling, and offer you feedback regarding how they can better work together to make your story as seamless and powerful as it can be. Whether you are creating illustrations for babies or tweens, my years of experience with illustrated formats for all ages can help ensure that your art is engaging and appropriate for your target audience.
With this service, I will offer you a detailed and critical editorial review of your manuscript draft – whether it’s your first draft or your fiftieth. I’ll read your manuscript draft through an editorial lens, reviewing for character development, tone, prose, and plot structure. I will mark up your manuscript with specific notes, comments, and editorial suggestions and share the marked-up critique with you via email.
This will be followed up with a video call to walk through the feedback together and discuss questions you have.
What this service includes:
● Critique of text and art with mark-up of questions, comments, and suggestions
● 45-Minute video call to review feedback together
● Follow-up check-in via email
Developmental Edit
If you're looking to turn a manuscript critique up a notch, consider opting for a developmental edit. In addition to a manuscript critique, where I’ll review, comment, and make suggestions about big-picture elements including character development, tone, plot, and pacing, I will also provide a thorough line edit of your manuscript, making notes and suggestions regarding language level for proposed age range, sentence structure, and word choice, and art notes (if applicable).
This will be followed up with a video call to walk through the feedback together and discuss questions you have.
Finally, I will review one new/revised draft of your manuscript to ensure you are on the right path.
What this service includes:
● Complete edit of manuscript with line edit and mark-up of questions, comments, or suggestions
● 1-2 page editorial letter including my overall assessment of the outline and big picture suggestions
● 45-Minute video call to review feedback together
● Follow-up check-in via email
● Final manuscript review
Query Letter Prep
If you plan to send a submission to agents, you’ll need to write a query letter. With this service, I will provide you with guidance and editorial feedback on how to write a great query letter. First, I will review your project and compose a customized Query Letter Tip Sheet. The tip sheet will provide you with guidance for how to frame your letter, including (but not limited to): highlighting your project’s strongest assets, offering tips on how to write copy, and providing ways to personalize your letter for different recipients. It will also include some research and suggestions regarding what agencies would be a good fit for your project and needs.
When you have a completed draft to share, I will review it and provide you with specific written comments and feedback. The review will be followed up with a video call to walk through the feedback together and discuss questions you have.
Finally, I will review one round of the revised letter and offer any outstanding thoughts or suggestions.
What this service includes:
● Query Letter Tip Sheet
● 2 rounds of editorial feedback
● One 30-minute video call to review the initial feedback
● Follow-up check-in via email
Voice & Character Focus Duo
If your project requires some character and voice development, this is the combo for you.
Book a Voice Workshop and a Developmental Edit at once to work on developing your characters, their voices, and working together to help bring them to life in your manuscript ranging from characteristics and scenes to polishing dialogue.
What this service includes:
● Critique of project or manuscript with mark-up of questions, comments, and suggestions focused specifically on character or narrator voice
● 45-minute video call to review the feedback
● Follow-up check-in via email
● Complete line edit and mark-up of questions, comments, or suggestions
● 1-2 page editorial letter including my overall assessment of the outline and big picture suggestions
● 4-Minute video call to review feedback together
● Follow-up check-in via email
● Final manuscript review
Book Coaching
Do you have a book idea or manuscript that you want to self-publish? Would you benefit from the guidance of an experienced editor to work with you to develop your idea, craft your first draft, and help you polish it for production? Then this service is for you.
I will work with you each step of the way to help you craft your story and manuscript for publication including content consultation, manuscript critique and developmental edit, and proofreading.
Together we will plan a schedule with proposed start and completion dates that allow you to work at your own pace.
What Book Coaching includes:
● Six video calls with me
● Content Consultation (1), Manuscript Critique (2), Voice Workshop (1), and Developmental Edit (1), Publishing Strategy Consultation (1)
● Five follow-up emails
● Guaranteed (at least) five complete read-throughs of your manuscript
Getting Started Duo
If you have an idea for a book and a rough first draft, but aren’t quite sure what to do next, or if this is the first time you’re sharing this draft with a publishing professional, this is the combo for you.
Book a Content Consultation and a Manuscript Critique for the same project together to catapult your manuscript to the next level -- all at a discounted rate!
What your package includes:
● 30-minute video call
● Answers to industry questions
● Follow-up check-in via email
● Critique of manuscript with mark-up of questions, comments, or suggestions
● 1-2 page editorial letter including my overall assessment of the outline and big picture suggestions
● 30-minute video call to review the feedback
● Follow-up check-in via email
Submission Prep Trio
If you have dreams of writing a picture book manuscript and getting it ready to submit to an agent, this is the package for you.
Book a Content Consultation, Manuscript Critique, and Developmental Edit for the same project together to get your manuscript read to submit -- all at a discounted rate!
What your package includes:
● 30-minute video call
● Answers to industry questions
● Follow-up check-in via email
● Critique of manuscript with mark-up of questions, comments, or suggestions
● 1-2 page editorial letter including my overall assessment of the outline and big picture suggestions
● 30-minute video call to review the feedback
● Follow-up check-in via email
● Query Letter Tip Sheet
● 2 rounds of editorial feedback
● One 30-minute video call to review the initial feedback
● Follow-up check-in via email