Editing Services

How can you get the editorial guidance you need without subjecting your entire manuscript to a costly and time-consuming full-dress edit? One way is to use my "Big-Picture Manuscript Evaluation" service, listed elsewhere on this site. Another is to take one of my writing courses, which will teach you how to do your own editing. A third approach is my "Mini-Edit Boot Camp," in which I provide a full-dress edit of one or two chapters. You then take what you've learned from that, and apply it to the rest of the book.

Please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss your needs.

Many thanks,

      ... Jon

Introduction to Editing [E1]

As I said earlier, I don't like to do much editing myself, but I'm happy to teach it. You know the old story. . .those who can't do, teach. In my case, that should read, those who don't want to do, teach. I'm actually a very good and extremely experienced editor. It's just that, as noted above, I find it much more rewarding to teach people how to edit their own work than to do the editing myself.

This half-day workshop will start with a brief discussion of the kinds of problems you are facing as you start to edit your own manuscript. We'll then look at a model of the editing process, before going on to spend the second half of the workshop doing a variety of practical exercises, both individually and in small groups.

While writers at all levels of experience can benefit from this workshop, it is particularly suited to newer writers working on their first major projects.

All participants receive a free critique of the editing job they have done on a short story or chapter of a longer book, so long as the work is submitted to me within one year of the workshop.

Fees

$300 for the half-day workshop (up to ten participants), plus all expenses. Somewhat higher fee charged if there are more than ten participants. Minimum of six required for the course to go forward.

 

Advanced Editing [E2]

This is a full-day workshop designed primarily for more experienced writers with at least one book-length project under their belts, or for those who have taken my introductory workshop (see above). Participants are encouraged to bring in manuscripts they are working on, to share problems and concerns with the group.

We will start by looking at a model of the editing process. We'll then consider editing with different genres and audiences in mind. The discussion here will include topics such as levels of usage, editing fiction vs. editing non-fiction, and who makes the rules, anyway.

The rest of the morning will be spent on a variety of individual and small-group exercises. During the afternoon, while I will have exercises available for those who need them, I encourage you to work on your own projects, using the tools you have just acquired. The final hour will be devoted to a roundtable during which you're invited to share the results of your work with the rest of the group.

All participants receive a free critique of the editing job they have done on a short story or a chapter of a longer book. Please submit your editing job within one year of the workshop.

Fees

$550 for the full-day workshop (up to ten participants), plus all expenses. Somewhat higher fee charged if there are more than ten participants. Minimum of six required for the course to go forward.

 

Mini-Edit Boot Camp [E3]

An option for writers who, despite everything I've said up till now, still feel the need to undergo a detailed editing of their work, but who can't afford the thousands of dollars it would cost to have me or any other trained, experienced editor take on the complete book.

I will provide a full-dress, detailed edit of one or, at the most, two chapters of your book (maximum total length, 25 double-spaced pages). You will then apply what you've learned from me, and do the rest of the job yourself.

It will be up to you to choose the chapter or chapters you feel are most representative of your work. I cannot undertake to read complete books with an eye to finding the best chapters myself.

All mini-edits include a brief (maximum one page) general comment on the chapter or chapters.

Fees

Hourly rates apply, with a minimum fee of $100. For the time being, this service will be offered only an individual basis. For the "mini-edit deluxe," with a discussion of a general editing model included, the fee will be $75 higher.