|
|
Editing Services My mantra is "Keep the reader in mind." My specialties are speed and clarity. Whether for works of fiction or non-fiction, I offer two basic services. EVALUATION One is an evaluation (sometimes called an overview). This entails a careful reading, followed by a long and specific letter indicating what I believe works or does not, and how to fix what does not. In non-fiction, I look for consistency of message, writing style, redundancy, tone, argument, and flow, among other factors. In fiction, I look for story line, writing style, dialogue, scene setting – the works. LINE EDITING The second service is line editing, which is meant especially for developed works. I work more closely on grammar and a finished style, while looking for smaller errors, such as repetition within a scene, hackneyed phrases, and awkward sentence structure. (Line editing is not copy editing. Copy editors make certain, for example, that 6 p.m. is written that way, rather than 6pm. I am more interested in what is taking place at 6pm or p.m.) CLIENTS My clients have included therapists, media people, businessmen, and poets. I read all works as an outsider who represents the reader, someone who is marginally interested in the non-fiction topic or the fictional tale, but easily confused. For either service, I charge an hourly fee. When people engage me for line editing, I suggest they come up with a finite number of hours they're comfortable with, perhaps five or ten, and see if my work is proceeding in a way that makes them want to continue. (So far, everyone has.) When people are not sure which service they need, I read a brief section, of perhaps 25 pages or so, to make the determination, or suggestion. References: I am glad to furnish names and contact information of former clients. |
|
