How to Get Started

Introduce yourself in an email

Start with sending me an email so we can get acquainted.

• What is the genre of your novel? (You must answer this question!)
• Have you completed it or is it a work in progress?
• How many words on it have you written so far?
• Is this your first novel?
• Where did you learn of my services?

Sample submission

Send the first two thousand words (approximately) of your story via email. See Submission Guidelines. If your first chapter is longer than 2,000 words, send the whole chapter, but do not send more than 3,000 words.

Separately, send US$29. See Payment Options.

This is a small investment in your writing future, about the cost of a dinner out at a decent restaurant, and you get detailed feedback in return on your submission.

Do not send your whole novel at this time. What usually happens is that my clients learn so much from my feedback on their early chapters that they want to revise the remaining chapters before they send more to me. That way, they get the maximum benefit from my feedback.

Peeling an Onion

Working with a professional like me is like peeling an onion. First you'll see the simplest weaknesses in your writing. Then as we go along and you improve on them, you'll see more of the deeper layers beneath.

"Whatever your situation, hiring an independent editor shouldn't be like taking your car to a mechanic (that is, you go away for two hours and when you come back your car is fixed). You'll get the most out of your experience if you treat it as a learning opportunity--a chance to hone and improve your own editing skills. Self-editing is an essential part of the writer's craft. If you're really serious about a writing career, it's something you need to master." - SFWA web site

Detailed critique

I will provide a detailed critique of your sample words in return, along with my projected rate in dollars per thousand words for more chapters from you.

You decide

You can evaluate what I did for you and decide if you want to continue to use my services at that rate. If you do want to continue, then you can determine how many words you want to send next and calculate the fee to send with it.

Low cost sample of my work

This is a very inexpensive way to find out what I can do for you. Most writers can afford my rates and eagerly send more chapters right away.

It is always an exciting time for me to see the work of a new writer. I look forward to reading your sample. How about you send it right away so we can get started?