“From book to book, I seem to forget how to get characters in and out of rooms.” John Gregory Dunne.
Stuck and need a supportive and constructive conversation about your work-in-progress? Want to deepen the well of your reading?
I aim to nurture individual creativity and voice. I provide both ‘big picture’ feedback––on structure, form, point-of-view, plot, tense, theme, tone, intention, etc––and a rigorous focus on craft at the sentence level. I’m neither a copy editor nor a proof-reader (though if I find a howler, I’ll flag it); I guess I’m akin to what is currently termed a ‘developmental editor’.
I offer two services for submissions of fiction, memoir, or personal essay, each including a tailored reading list.
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A ‘big picture’ assessment with advice on next steps, including content, voice, form and intention, etc. A short written report (2-3 pages) accompanied by light-touch in-draft comments, together with a ‘prescription’ for recommended reading. Details of fees and lead-times on request for manuscripts up to 6,000 words. (Depending on the project longer manuscripts may be considered.)
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A deep-dive response from ‘big picture’ to sentence level, including draft in-line comments/edits, a written report (3-6 pages), a ‘prescription’ for recommended reading, and a one hour telephone/zoom conversation. Details of fees and lead-times on request for manuscripts up to 6,000 words. (Depending on the project, longer manuscripts may be considered.)
