Services
Beta Reading
$0.001 per word (e.g. $50 for 50,000 words). For manuscripts above 100,000 words, please contact for a quote
What is beta reading? Put simply, it’s a person who reads your story near the end stages of editing before it is published, and gives you feedback on their experience as a reader. They’ll typically answer questions regarding their general feelings about the book, and anything they do or don’t like. These readers are a great way to get an idea on how the public will receive your book once it’s published.
Why do I charge for this service when you can get it for free? You can find free beta readers pretty much anywhere nowadays, but the free service can come with a hidden cost. While most free beta readers have their hearts in the right place, they can inadvertently send you down the wrong path or be ineffective. For example, they might not fit your target market, they might only agree to beta read your book if you beta read theirs (costing you valuable time), they might be unreliable or unwilling/unable to adhere to the deadline you’re following (costing you even more time), or they might give you unsolicited advice or suggestions on how they would “fix” parts of your story that might not actually be broken, sending you down a path that might cost you in time or even further editing fees to undo what they’ve done.
This is not to say that all free beta readers are inexperienced or unreliable. There is a whole world of them out there and without a doubt you will find some who check all the boxes while still being completely free. This type of beta reader is what all writers strive to find. But until then, consider adding a few reliable, experienced, and reasonably priced readers (such as myself) to your arsenal. It can save you time, money, and headaches down the road.
What You’ll Get
- A genuine reader’s perspective – my opinion as a reader *not an editor* on your characters, plot, world, style, etc.
- *3-5 page report complete with answers to a general list of questions on:
- Readability – Was it a “page turner”, a quick or slow read, was it boring or did it drag?
- The Good, the bad, and the ugly – what I loved, disliked, or hated about your book.
- Confusions/Questions – What was confusing about your story? What questions came up while reading?
- Manuscript “Readiness” – I’ll let you know how close I think you are to a completed manuscript and what additional services (copy edits, proofreading, etc) I think you might benefit from.
- Follow up email to discuss the report – I’ll answer clarifying questions you might have regarding my report.
Always remember that YOU are the author. While I might offer specific suggestions or examples on how to fix certain aspects of your story (where appropriate), I will never re-write the story for you, or change your actual manuscript. Any suggestions are simply that – suggestions. As the author, you get to do whatever you want with the information I give to you – the choice is up to you!
*Report length is typically 3-5 pages but can be more or less depending on length of manuscript and the breadth and depth of all areas of concern that need to be addressed.
** Quick turn-around requests are available for an additional fee. Please mention this in your inquiry and I’ll be happy to provide a quote
Plot Assessments & Brainstorming Sessions
$200 ea. Up to 10,000 words
Do you have a story idea that’s taken root in your mind now it won’t let you go? Wondering if your idea has merit – if it has the potential to grow into something truly spectacular? Whether you already have a fully drafted outline, or just a few unorganized scribbles, I can help you get to the heart of what you’re trying to say and see if it’s an idea worth pursuing.
Plot Assessment
I’ll read your plot outline, your chapter by chapter or scene by scene plan, your mix of hastily written notes filled with ideas that came to you in the middle of the night. I’ll provide a small report on what I think your story is about, what sounds like it is working, what might not work, and any pitfalls that I can foresee potentially cropping up before you dive into the depths of your story.
Brainstorming Session
Hit me with your best elevator pitch, log line, or vague details of a scene that has you lying awake at night. I’ll offer pointed questions and the option to have my own ideas thrown into the mix (optional) to get you started on bringing your story to life. You’ll get a 1.5 hour live chat where we will discuss your story idea and see what we can come up with to flesh out some, or all of the details.
**Chat will be through WhatsApp (text and voice message) or Zoom (video) and must be booked ahead of time between the hours of 8am-8pm Eastern Standard Time**
Always remember that YOU are the author. While I might offer specific suggestions or examples on how to fix certain aspects of your story (where appropriate), I will never re-write the story for you, or change your actual manuscript. Any suggestions are simply that – suggestions. As the author, you get to do whatever you want with the information I give to you – the choice is up to you!
First Impressions Analysis
$350 for the first 10,000 pages of your manuscript
Wondering if your story is off to a good start? Is it starting in the right place? Does it “hook” the reader? The first few chapters of any book are the most important ones. Some would argue that the first page, or even the first sentence can make or break your book’s success. It’s the only chance you get to make the best First Impression you can for your readers. That’s why this service is a great starting point to make sure you have the key elements needed to keep your readers turning those pages. It offers insight into what you’re already doing well, glaring areas of concern, foreseeable issues that might pop up going forward, and any areas where I feel you might benefit from further reading and craft development. Because this assessment only focuses on the first 10,000 words of your manuscript, it is impossible to fully comment on all aspects of the craft without reading the full story. Therefore, my comments will be focused on what is or is not making a good first impression (primarily plot, characterization, opening line, target market, etc). If you are looking for something more detailed and that covers your entire manuscript, please see my Manuscript Assessment and Developmental Editing services below.
What You’ll Get
- A read through of the first 10,000 pages of your manuscript.
- *3-5 page report – detailing my first impressions of the story. I’ll focus on things like opening line, opening chapter, the hook, character goals, setting, Act 1 plot structure, etc.
- A personalized reading/resources list – as needed, to help you expand your writing skills and take things to the next level
- Answers to a general list of questions on:
- Readability – Was it a “page turner”, a quick or slow read, was it boring or did they drag?
- The Good, the bad, and the ugly – what I loved, disliked, or hated about the beginning
- Confusions/Questions – What was confusing about your beginning? What questions came up while reading?
- Follow up email to discuss the report – I’ll answer clarifying questions you might have regarding my report.
Always remember that YOU are the author. While I might offer specific suggestions or examples on how to fix certain aspects of your story (where appropriate), I will never re-write the story for you, or change your actual manuscript. Any suggestions are simply that – suggestions. As the author, you get to do whatever you want with the information I give to you – the choice is up to you!
*Report length is typically 3-5 pages but can be more or less depending on the length of the manuscript and the breadth and depth of all areas of concern that need to be addressed.
** Quick turn-around requests are available for an additional fee. Please mention this in your inquiry and I’ll be happy to provide a quote
Manuscript Assessment
$0.01 per word (e.g. $500 for 50,000 words). For manuscripts above 100,000 words please inquire for a quote
Unsure of where to go after completing a first or second draft? Or maybe you’ve suffered through countless revisions only to end up in the same place as before…scratching your head while staring blankly at your story board wondering what your original story was even about. If you know there are issues in your story and you’re having trouble sorting out how to fix them, or what to do next, then this is the perfect place to start. This is also a great option for the budget conscious writers out there who know they need help but aren’t quite ready for the larger price tag that comes with a full-blown developmental edit.
What You’ll Get
- Minimum 2 full manuscript read-throughs – I’ll read your manuscript at least twice (or more if needed), to get the full picture before I write your editorial report.
- *5-10 page editorial report – I’ll provide a detailed report that covers all of my findings throughout my analysis of your manuscript. I’ll not only discuss the good and the bad of your story, but more importantly, I’ll explain why it’s working or not, and what you can do about it.
- Focus will be on – A big picture analysis that looks for any major structural changes that are needed like plot points, characterization, genre conventions, world-building, theme, or anything else that is missing, unnecessary, underdeveloped or unclear. + any specific concerns you’d like me to review regarding the big picture aspects of your story (no copy or line editing).
- A personalized reading/resources list – as needed, to help you expand your writing skills and take things to the next level.
- This service does not include in-line critiques or notes written on your actual manuscript – these are available in my Developmental Editing package below.
- Follow up email to discuss the report – I’ll answer questions you might have regarding my report.
Always remember that YOU are the author. While I might offer specific suggestions or examples on how to fix certain aspects of your story (where appropriate), I will never re-write the story for you, or change your actual manuscript. Any suggestions are simply that – suggestions. As the author, you get to do whatever you want with the information I give to you – the choice is up to you!
*Report length is typically 5-10 pages but can be slightly more or less depending on the length of the manuscript and the breadth and depth of all areas of concern that need to be addressed.
**This service does not include in-line critiques or notes written within your actual manuscript – these are available in my Developmental Editing package below.
Developmental Editing
$0.02 per word (e.g. $1,000 for 50,000 words). For manuscripts above 100,000 words please inquire for a quote
You did it! After clawing your way through your own mind, putting every part of your imagined world on paper (or in a document), you finally completed your manuscript! Great job…but now what?
If you’re a seasoned writer who has been at this for a while, you’ll likely feel confident enough in the major elements of your story that you only have to make a few minor structural edits or some copy and line edits. Lucky you! But if you’re like most writers (especially those who are either new to the craft, or have been struggling to find a method that works for them), you’re likely unsure of what to look for as you attempt to edit your story. Chances are, you’ll use techniques you’ve read about online or in a book. You might haphazardly shuffle scenes or cut them completely, kill your main character because you read somewhere you’re supposed to “kill your darlings”, or get lost in a tangle of plot threads that lead nowhere and everywhere all at once. That’s where a developmental edit comes in.
Whether you’re new to the craft, or you’ve been writing for years, getting a developmental edit can drastically improve your story. It not only focuses on the structural foundation of the story (things like plot points, character development, and genre conventions), but then it zooms into your manuscript and points out what’s strong or weak in specific areas like dialogue, style, and how everything works with or against the overarching theme. While the price of a developmental edit may seem steep, it can literally save you years of time and potential profit if your novel remains stuck in the re-write…edit…re-write…edit purgatory where most novels go to die. The sooner you can publish it, the sooner you can move on to new story ideas while your finally published work of art can start generating passive income, allowing you to build your confidence and passion as an author.
Let me help you give your novel the chance it deserves.
What You’ll Get
- Minimum 2 full manuscript read-throughs – I’ll read your manuscript at least twice (or more if needed), to get the full picture before I write your editorial report.
- *10+ page editorial report – I’ll provide a detailed report that covers all of my findings throughout my analysis of your manuscript. I’ll not only discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your story, but more importantly, I’ll explain why it’s working or not, and what you can do about it.
- Focus will be on – A “big picture” macro analysis that looks for any major structural changes that are needed like plot points, characterization, genre conventions, world-building, theme, or anything else that is missing, unnecessary, underdeveloped or unclear. + any specific concerns you’d like me to review regarding the big picture aspects of your story.
- Unedited comments and critiques within your manuscript – I’ll point out inconsistencies, funny lines that made me laugh, strengths and weaknesses in the writing style and story, and anything else that comes up while I’m reading. Think of it as an (almost) live commentary. It’s a unique experience that can oftentimes be enlightening for the author, providing insight into how I interpreted your story on the first read.
- Follow up email to discuss the report – I’ll answer clarifying questions regarding my report or my comments made within the manuscript itself.
Always remember that YOU are the author. While I might offer specific suggestions or examples on how to fix certain aspects of your story (where appropriate), I will never re-write the story for you, or change your actual manuscript. Any suggestions are simply that – suggestions. As the author, you get to do whatever you want with the information I give to you – the choice is up to you!
*Report length is typically 10+ pages but can be more or less depending on length of manuscript and the breadth and depth of all areas of concern that need to be addressed.
**This service does not include copy or line edits