Dorothy Parker said the art of writing is the art of applying the ass to the seat. But what if your ass has prior commitments or you've done the seat time and need help with the results?

​That's where I come in.

Hello . . .

• You've written your first book and need an experienced eye to evaluate and give you an overview of which aspects--plot, story arc, character development, dialogue--need work and how to proceed. (literary critique).
• You're ready to subject your manuscript to a deep dive that will ensure it meets the needs/expectations of prospective readers. You are prepared to accept constructive criticism and undertake rewrites that will improve your project (structural/developmental edit).
• You've had a structural edit, but want to ensure grammar and syntax aren't an issue (copyedit).
• Structure and text are strong, but you need a fresh pair of persnickety eyes to catch any typos or other mistakes missed by people (your partner, your best friend, your mom) who love you dearly, but don't do this for a living (proofread).
• Bottom line: You need a detail-oriented professional to take that puppy in hand and polish until it gleams (but not until its fur comes off).

Fancy meeting you here . . .​

• You're self publishing, and therefore keeping the bulk of your profits (whoo hoo!), but you're savvy enough to realize that writing cover or flap copy is best left to a professional whose bread and butter is selling your masterpiece in 200 words or less.
• You're e-publishing (see above). Virtual books are people, too.

What's new?

• Your business or product needs new promotional copy. You know the old stuff is stale, but you don't know where to start with web copy, print ads, brochures, fliers, and/or product descriptions for catalogs. You need copy that pops.
• Your copy is on the right track, but it's a little flabby. You need someone to clean it up and trim the fat.

What's my story and how can it help your story (or other project)?

Let's talk about my many years working in-house for two of Manhattan's top book publishers. I worked in hardcover sales (sales experience, obviously); managing editorial (there's your copyediting and proofreading experience) and copywriting (promotional copy for all genres). I was also the boss of a copy department for five years, which entailed writing, editing, and proofreading many, many words from myriad very talented individuals as well as hiring and firing (I only ever fired one person--excruciating!!), and supervising in-house and freelance copywriters.

Then I had babies. They were rather cute, but demanding of attention (go figure). They were also the catalyst for my decision to swap strappy stilettos for practical mom shoes that would accommodate my wider mom feet. 

"So what does that have to do with me, my manuscript/my need for promotional copy, yada, yada, yada?"
Well may you ask, Dear Reader. What it has to do with you is that going freelance expanded my horizons, enabling me to collaborate with an extraordinarily varied array of clients, including independent authors, media companies, a financial group, and publishing houses I'd never worked with before. This is a good thing for you because it means I've edited, copyedited, and written promotional copy for EVERY genre under the sun. Gambling? Been there. Paranormal Erotica? Done that. Memoir? Yup. Motorcycle Club Romance? You bet your hog. I could go on all day, but you get the idea.

"But do I really need these services? Every other person is producing a book or a website or a blog these days; they don't all pay pros for editing and writing, do they?"
Well, the best and brightest--the ones who know they haven't mastered these skills--do. Whether we're talking about self-published ebooks, blogs, or ads, we've all seen sloppy writing. Even if you aren't too picky about that sort of thing, you'd probably agree that it blocks effective communication. Whether you're telling a literal story in your first novel or telling a "story" to sell a product, you want to know that you're reaching your audience; boring, awkward, or incorrect writing stands in the way of that.

"But can't I get this for pennies from one of those freelancer bidding sites?"
In a word: no.  In a few more words: You get what you pay for. You can get something for pennies, but that something won't be quality work from a seasoned professional. 

HIRE ME FOR:
Reading experience: This, above all, is what you want in an editor--combined, of course, with the ability to apply that experience in the most effective way to improve your project. Exhibit A: my Kindle, which is almost entirely populated with other people's manuscripts. Books I've actually purchased get very lonely in there. All this early-stage reading of every type of book means that I understand style and voice extremely well. I also know what readers of different genres are looking for, which means I can help you structure your writing and strengthen your voice to speak to your audience.

Writing experience: Eighteen years of writing to sell other people's writing has honed my ability to transform ideas into copy that engages and compels a reader to take the next step. This skill can be applied to most products, by the way. I shouldn't have to say this, but ​publishing copywriters should never be counted out of the ad copy game since books are, in fact, products. Obvious, right? Not to some people. There, I said it.

Tough love: Okay, not really "tough"--I'm super nice--so let's call it "constructive" love.  I'll hone in on the strengths and weaknesses in your manuscript, web copy or ad copy and help you play up what's great and shore up what's lacking. How much we collaborate depends on the nature of your project. There won't be a ton of back-and-forth if I'm writing a book cover or proofreading for you, for example, but there definitely will be if I'm editing your book. It's fun! Full disclosure: there's a strong chance that baked goods will be involved.

​
COPYWRITING AND EDITING SERVICES

Manuscript, Website, and Other Long-form Project Editing
Literary Critique: $0.01/word (2,500-word minimum)
Developmental/Structural Editing: $0.06/word (2,500-word minimum)
Copyediting: $0.03/word (2,500-word minimum)
Proofreading: $0.02/word (2,500-word minimum)

Promotional Copywriting (Books)
Cover Copy (hardcover, trade, mass market) and E-book Copy: $200/piece

Promotional Copywriting (General)
Product Descriptions/Names
Headlines
Catalog Copy
Web Copy
Brochures
Advertisements
$30/hour