You wrote a book.
You poured yourself into this manuscript. It’s almost finished. There’s magic in there—blood and sweat, late nights and curse words, a whole world you crafted yourself. But you have a sense that something is missing.
The book needs help.
It needs overall revision, reordering, tightening, a new ending. It needs something. You want this book to live up to its potential. You want your book to land with a good publisher, find the right readers, make an impact. Truthfully?
You’re too close to the work to see what’s next.
You need an outside opinion, which is way easier said than done. It’s hard to ask someone for help with your creative work, and even harder to figure out who is best qualified for the job.
You have some options
1.
Let your manuscript sit on your desk. It’ll make a great coaster for your coffee or bed for the cat.
2.
Ask your most critical friend for feedback. Take deep breaths while you watch them recklessly red pen the whole manuscript.
3.
Light the manuscript on fire and start over
- OR -
Hire a book editor to walk you through your final revision.
Seriously though, this is a personal and high-stakes process. I’d like to offer myself as a trusted reader. As your editor, I’ll get to know your goals, get familiar with your book from the inside out, and help you navigate the next steps. As often as necessary I’ll gently suggest, “Let’s not throw the manuscript out the window.”
Having spent a decade as an in-house editor at a literary book publisher, my instincts are finely honed. But my approach will be tailored to your book, your goals, and your unique creative process.