GETTING STARTED

I understand that a writer and editor relationship is personal, and I strive to foster that confidential relationship while helping you bring your project to fruition, finding the best path for your story. Whether seeking an literary agent or publisher for traditional publication or self-publishing, my guidance can move your book from idea to publication.

To get started, please email me Christine@WriteforSuccessEditing.com or at WriteforSuccessEditing@gmail.com. Let me know what you're working on and how I can help you.

Will you use artificial intelligence (AI) on editing or writing projects?

No. I do not use ChatGPT or any other AI tool to ghostwrite, co-write, analyze, or critique client manuscripts. Instead, I use my insight and experience to provide thoughtful feedback. The depth of creativity required for writing and editing is an inherently human process. All documents and comments are personalized to the client and are direct from the human editor you are working with. What you receive from me is real, unique content based on my interpretations and findings. Original work created by human beings is deemed legitimate and trustworthy by knowledgeable audiences and readerships.

As AI becomes more prevalent, submissions platforms are requiring authors to confirm that AI has not been used in the writing or editing process. If AI-generated content is found, the manuscript, short story, article, or contest entry will be summarily rejected.

What does “success” mean?

Success is a personal term. Some authors shoot for the stars, crafting a book with best-seller potential. Others want to write a book that accompanies their business. Some want their words to speak to future generations or help people going through what they've experienced. Each book is as unique as its author. An editor’s purpose is to help writers achieve their goals. 

As a small business owner, I value my clients. The editor-writer relationship is often long-term. I’m there with you, rooting you on and in the many ways needed to reach publication. 

Why choose Write for Success (WFS)?

My office is located in Hollywood, California, where I can keep my fingers on the pulse of the book-publishing industry.

My company is listed in the Literary Marketplace—a source that includes only industry professionals who are established and reputable. Each listing is carefully evaluated prior to inclusion and requires positive recommendations that are current, written, and verifiable.

It is my intent to preserve the voice and intent of your piece, while advancing the quality of your book. I believe an editor’s purpose is to understand the intentions for your piece and help you achieve that goal. A professional editor and writer can analyze your work, give insightful feedback, and explain how it relates to a particular genre.

There are many stepping-stones along the way. Perhaps I may suggest ways to build your online presence prior to landing an agent or publisher.

How can my editorial services or writing services help you?

If you’ve written anything and wish to polish it, improve the quality, and receive professional feedback, then I can help. I work with authors at all levels, in any genre. Beyond correcting grammar and style, professional editing can clarify the meaning of your piece, ensure its appropriateness for your genre, eliminate jargon, re-order content, improve readability, adjust reading levels, and provide consistency of voice. 

My company offers a wide array of services as well as an impressive registry of screened, confidential, anonymous beta and sensitivity readers.

Professional editing or writing assistance is recommended for anyone who wishes to make that step from a hobbyist to a professional author. Poor editing is a common complaint in reader reviews on sites such as Amazon. Unfavorable reviews can mean low sales or tarnish your brand as an author.

I am available for ongoing, personal attention instead of a one-time (perhaps even anonymous) edit without further contact. I can assist you along the road to publication, helping you become a more confident and successful writer and author. 

Does this apply to an author who wishes to self-publish?

If you plan to self-publish, the file that you upload should be clean of grammar and style errors, have accurate layouts for the front and back matter, and have a well-written story. A number of our clients have come to me AFTER they have self-published and received negative reviews and lagging sales on sites such as Amazon. I will then help them create a professional-quality product so that an updated (or second edition) of their book can be uploaded, replacing the previous e-copy and discarding any previous hard copies. A better option is to choose professional editing before your book is self-published.

Will I take on your project?

I review and respond to all submissions; however, I cannot take them all on. I am only one person and my calendar fills up quickly. If I have to pass on your project, please do not take it personally. 

BOOK COACHING FOR AUTHORS SEEKING TRADITIONAL PUBLICATION

For clients seeking the most inclusive and hands-on service, book coaching fits that bill. We will work together on your project to help you land an agent or publisher. This means uplifting the book manuscript you bring in, advising how it can be crafted and positioned to best clear today's hurdles. I will use my skills as an editor, a teacher, project manager, and publishing guide to polish all aspects of the manuscript. In addition to listening to your goals, I will cheer you on and support you by assisting with goal-setting and keeping you on track. This will enable you to create a top-notch manuscript that is ready to be queried to secure the right agent and publisher for your book.

INFORMATION ABOUT EDITING LEVELS

Projects are priced based on the editing service needed (see below), the level of time involved, and the manner in which the author requests feedback. In all levels of editing, the author’s voice is respected and kept true. I bid each project bid separately. Each project will be accompanied by its own contract which is created, sent, and signed by me, the owner of Write for Success Editing Services. Ongoing hourly work can be set up as a separate contract. This is useful when a writer requires a lot of short, back-and-forth type of work that often happens when a book is ready to be queried or for other personal contact between projects themselves.

Editing may be accomplished electronically using Word’s Track Changes feature which shows the author all changes made and allows the author to quickly and efficiently “accept” or “reject” them. I will provide you with ongoing commentary throughout the manuscript with appears in the document’s right-hand margin.

Jobs typically require up to three passes for developmental editing, a final review which includes a proofread, then ongoing interaction as the author readies for publication.

DEVELOPMENTAL, CONTENT, SUBSTANTIVE, OR LINE EDITING – This type of editing is known by several names often used interchangeably in our industry. To simplify, I will call it developmental editing. This service provides the most detailed review and commentary.

Once the manuscript is submitted via a Word document, the project begins with LINE READING (a printed copy of the manuscript is carefully read). 

Developmental editing extends beyond copy editing by also providing you with a professional critique and evaluation of the story line, characterization, pacing, plot and structure, point of view, scenes, and dialogue. (Though some of these items refer specifically to fiction manuscripts, developmental edits are similarly effective for nonfiction manuscripts.)

The manuscript will have comments added throughout and will include suggestions to the text itself—for example, on the craft of writing. Suggestions may include areas in which you can clarify, rearrange, and cut or add material. I will help ensure that the project is meeting the goals in areas where there are specific requirements such as writing for a call or an assignment. The expected requirements for your medium and genre are reviewed (such as the standard length of a novel for the genre in which you are writing). Some rewriting may be included to suggest how the language and sentence structure may be improved. 

In addition to the marked-up manuscript, you will receive a written summary of your manuscript’s overall strengths and weaknesses; this document is called a MANUSCRIPT EVALUATION. (More detail regarding this service is provided in the next section.)

You will also receive a MANUSCRIPT ANALYSIS wherein your manuscript will be plotted out and analyzed against today’s genre specifications. (More detail regarding this services is provided in the next section.)

MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUE AND EVALUATION

No changes will be made to the manuscript—if you want line feedback on the manuscript itself including suggestions to the text, please refer to the prior service called developmental editing.

Manuscript critique and evaluation begins with LINE READING where a printed copy of the manuscript will be carefully read.

From there, my thoughts and suggestions are collected onto a Word document. Throughout, verbal or written critique will be given on specific portions of the manuscript, or when appropriate, on the full manuscript. This evaluation aims to be supportive, actionable, honest, and appropriate. Focus will include the manuscript’s audience and content.

AUDIENCE is addressed. The expected requirements and current trends for a manuscript’s genre are considered; this includes word count. Identifying a book’s audience and marketability are critical as each category and genre can have different readers. Of course, crossover books are possible and, if that is the case, the multiple categories or genres may be applicable.

CONTENT is addressed. Depending on the type of book, areas reviewed may include point of view, story type, theme, pacing, voice, main characters, dialogue, setting, world-building, or other areas relevant to the manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses. Suggestions may consist of places wherein text can be clarified, rearranged, cut, or expanded. Other parts examined may include dramatic arc and growth or change of protagonist or antagonist, stakes, obstacles, and so forth as applicable. In today’s highly competitive marketplace, hooking a reader and keeping them engaged is essential, therefore, the opening lines and pages receive close attention. Forward movement is evaluated throughout, as are chapter endings, chapter beginnings, and the resolution. Technical aspects such as proper grammar may be commented upon.

MANUSCRIPT ANALYSIS is included. This document provides an overview of each chapter’s length for quick reference. The shortest and longest chapters are noted. The pages typically sent to an agent are flagged, as are the key points of the story’s trajectory which are typically at the one-quarter, halfway, and three-quarters marks. In summary, this is a handy, one- to two-page informative document.

CONSULTATION AFTERWARD is included. Once the client has received and reviewed the manuscript evaluation and analysis, they can schedule a 60-minute consultation in one session, or split the consultation into two 30-minute sessions.

BASIC to HEAVY COPY EDITING – This service includes a careful and thorough review of grammar and elements of style; your document will be amended accordingly. I use the latest editions of The Chicago Manual of Style, Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, and The Bedford Handbook. Formatting can also be included. Please see developmental editing if you seek feedback on story line, plot, pacing, and so forth.

PROOFREADING – At this stage, you believe your book is ready for publication and you need one last look to check for possible typos and misspellings. I carefully and thoroughly check for adherence to current elements of style and grammar. This is the final check before your project goes to print, layout, or conversion; all front and back matter should be included.

Once your book has been converted to print or e-book form, it should again be submitted for proofreading to ensure no errors were introduced during the production process.

FORMATTING - Formatting to today’s industry standards is an important step which can be added at any stage of the process. 

GHOSTWRITING, WRITING COACH, WRITING SERVICES – As a published, award-winning writer, I can provide you with as much or as little writing or guidance as you seek to craft the piece that is right for you. My services are performed as “work for hire,” meaning the author retains sole right to the work. Perhaps you need assistance with a tricky section, or would like assistance writing dialogue or another character's viewpoint. I can help get you there.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

As I work with writers, I often see significant improvements with the comprehension and correct application of basic style elements. You will learn in which areas you’re making grammatical mistakes, and how to fix them so that your writing can move toward being publication-ready. With the ever-evolving changes that are occurring in the publishing industry, let me keep you apprised of the latest modifications.

In working with you, I can help you improve your grammar, and keep you abreast of the current technical requirements and the rules of style. I may provide you with excerpts from current publications to assist you in the areas needed. Such assistance can be as simple as explaining to you the difference between “lay” and “lie;” it can involve punctuation, or I can provide you with up-to-date instructions on how to format your piece.

The industry has changed dramatically—and it continues to evolve, with the explosion of self-publishing. Now, publishing is easier than ever. However, making money on your book has become more of a challenge. Traditional publishers have shifted the responsibility of editing to clients; a grammatically clean document is now an expectation. Facing heavy competition, an author in today’s market needs to do more than just write a great book. An author platform is expected. At last count, there were over fifteen million books listed for sale on Amazon!

I can advise you on the steps that you can take to promote your product (your book) and yourself.

Each year, new words are added to the lexicon, while the spelling of others changes. Rules of grammar and style are amended. For example, the spacing between ends of sentences has changed from two spaces to one. Newer genres are created, such as New Adult (NA). Knowledge of the industry translates to discoverability and profitability.

As an author, you want to focus on your writing. I can help keep you abreast of changes so that your book will shine for both its content and its professional, contemporary presentation.

CONTRACT INFO

My contracts list a set fee with the terms clearly defined—there is no cut of book sales. The language protecting you, the author, is there in black-and-white.

PUBLICATION

As with all professional editors, my job is to help you create a professionally crafted piece. A term used in editorial services is “publication-ready.” This means that your writing is mostly free of grammatical errors and follows the typical elements required for your genre, such as word count and reader expectations. A freelance editor, writer, or ghostwriter cannot guarantee that your story will be published, that it will attract an agent or publisher, or what your sales figures will be if you self-publish. However, your odds of success are greatly improved once your work has been revised into a polished piece.

CONNECTING

Though I’m located in Hollywood, most clients live elsewhere. I accommodate individual scheduling needs. I am open-minded, appreciate diversity, and respect other cultures or ways of life. Clients of all genders, races, and walks of life are welcome.

- I can schedule face-to-face meetings, Zoom meetings, or phone consultations

- I can work with you exclusively through email

- I can work with any combination of the above

REFERENCE BOOKS USED

I use the most current print editions of the Merriam-Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary, The Chicago Manual of Style, The Bedford Handbook, and Merriam-Webster's Unabridged online as well as annual publications of writing reference books by Writer’s Digest Books. This is crucial because each year changes happen. An editor must stay on top of these change to give their clients up-to-date, quality editing.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Being a member of professional organizations keeps me apprised of current happenings, involves me with current events, and provides me with beneficial opportunities. Forging and fostering relationships with others in various areas book-publishing industry is beneficial. I also participate as an exhibitor or sponsor at prominent events throughout Los Angeles. 

- The Editorial Freelancers Association

- San Diego Professional Editors Network

- Literary Marketplace

- Independent Book Publishers Association

- Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY:

Nonprofit organizations: Each calendar year, I donate two gift cards, each valid for two hours of editing services. If you have a verifiable 501(c)(3) and wish to request for one of these donations, please email me at Christine@WriteforSuccessEditing.com.

Writers: I will accept one (1) reduced-cost edit each calendar year. The candidate for 2024 has been chosen. For consideration in 2025, please email me on or after 11/1/2024 with "2025 reduced-cost edit request " in the subject line. 

I may also donate written critiques (up to one hour of my time) via X/Twitter giveaways under @WFSediting.