I’ve been working as a freelance editor since 2006, editing an average of three manuscripts a month, and was the winner of the RNA Indie Editor of the Year Award in 2021.
I tailor my feedback to the author’s needs, so the content of my report varies accordingly, though it will be a minimum of 3000 words for a full-length MS.
This will cover the following:
- the commercial potential of your concept and where your book fits in the market
- analysis, comments and suggestions re structure, plot, pace, characterisation, prose style
- if appropriate, feedback on your synopsis and covering letter
- I will also annotate the e-version of the MS and email that back to you with my report
As an author myself, I’m very aware that I hold someone’s beating heart in my hand when I work on their lovingly crafted book. I’m always careful to point out where an MS’s strengths lie, as well as those areas that need attention.
Some people are hoping to be signed with an agent and achieve a traditional publishing deal, others may intend to self-publish, and some might just love writing and want to make their novel as good as it can be. My feedback is designed to provide each person with what they need to have the best chance of fulfilling their particular ambitions.
I have experience of working in all genres and I’ve had the enormous pleasure of seeing many authors I’ve worked with be signed up by agents and go on to be published. More than one has become a bestseller.
Needless to say, it takes time to read a full MS and prepare a detailed report. I also offer further conversations after I send the report, to discuss any issues that arise or clarify anything where necessary.
The charges
- £12 per 1000 words for a full length MS.
- 10p per page printing costs as I work on hard copy, though I copy the annotations over onto the e-version
- £225 for feedback on synopsis, covering letter and first 5000 words.
- Other charges, eg longer extracts, are available on request.
Concessions available. Please contact me for details.
I am available to run workshops and creative writing courses at events and festivals and have significant experience in hosting these, both in Real Life and online, including the 6-week online Self-Edit Your Novel course I’ve run for Jericho Writers since April 2011. You can see the phenomenal success rate for this course in our Hall of Fame.
Here are some of the comments I’ve received from authors I’ve worked with.
- ‘The overwhelming message I want to send you is “Thank You”. I received your report yesterday and have read it – ooooh 30 times! Not only have you identified the key points (both fundamental and in finer detail) but also you have given precise and workable pointers towards where and how the improvements should be made. I feel validated and expertly instructed. I know you are ‘doing your job’ – but I feel you have applied great care and empathy in your reading and review of my manuscript, for which as a lonesome, first-time novelist working in isolation is very heartening and I’m so grateful. I’m also chuffed that you seemed to like it too!‘ MC
- ‘As for your detailed report – it’s very impressive. I agree with almost all your comments (and where I disagree I know you’re probably right). I can’t believe that you can see the issues so clearly… Debi – I can’t thank you enough. Writing is such a solitary business. It’s a great relief to get some encouragement after all this time, and so much good advice.‘ AC
- ‘Thank you so much for this. It was vastly more than I expected and I doubt all the time that you obviously put in was covered by the fee that I paid for the appraisal! You’re a great lady for detail and I can see a number of instances where you’ve latched on to something, usually in dialogue, with which I’ve struggled manfully and still haven’t got right … There is very little which you have noted that I am not prepared to look at again with a view to amending, tightening or deleting, and in regard to making the plot work more smoothly. ‘ JC
- ‘I have written a flawed work that needs a major overhaul. But, now I know how to take it forward in the right direction, and I am confident I can make it better. Thank you for the guidance.’ AH
- ‘Thank you so much for your constructive comments and suggestions – all of which I have found to be invaluable in my attempt to improve and finalize my book.’ GG
- ‘Having reflected on your suggestions and discussed them with a close colleague (who has also read the book), we agree that, to get the book to a level where it may be considered for publication, I need to address all of your points – which I will do with the same enthusiasm and excitement that I composed the original draft with!’ TH