Fiction Editing Services: What to Look for in Making Your Selection

So you’re a novelist, you’ve finished your book, and now you’re researching fiction editing services. What should you look for, and what should you be aware of? First, be aware that any novel worth its salt deserves more than a “proofread” or “copy edit.” As an author, you want to make sure that your plot hangs together without holes or ... Read More

How to Create Memorable Characters for Your Novel

As a writing coach and book editor, I’m sometimes asked by beginning novelists what the secret is to great characterization. What makes the difference between a memorable fictional character and one that just disappears into the page? Creating characters that zing versus the kind that put readers to sleep depends, for one thing, on giving them memorable personality traits. Give ... Read More

Rhythm and Sound: Two Secret Keys to Exceptional Prose Writing

As a book editor, I notice subtle distinctions between manuscripts written by aspiring writers versus seasoned authors. One of these distinctions is hardly ever talked about in writing classes, but in my experience, it makes all the difference between lumbering and polished prose. I’m talking about the rhythm and sound of a sentence. We all know rhythm and sound are ... Read More

Three Tips to Brighten Your Writing

As a professional editor and writing coach, I find different clients making many of the same writing errors. If I had to narrow it down, I’d say these three are the most common among aspiring authors:
sentences stuffed with “clutter words,” long prepositional-phrase trains, and grandiose verbiage. Here are some tips to help you identify and remove these from your writing …

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Authors, Don’t Rush that Edit

Authors, here’s some advice based on my sixteen years’ experience as a book editor. Don’t make the mistake so many authors do, rushing the editing phase of the project as they try to bring their book to completion. Enthusiastic authors are naturally in a hurry to get their book to print, so they often set up a time schedule in ... Read More