THE PROCESS
Manuscript evaluation
This is a good option for writers who’ve finished their story, but they’re worried there could be some structural issues. It’s also great for those who are on a budget and can’t pay for a full developmental edit.
I’ll go through your manuscript looking for any problems with your story and characters, and suggest ways to fix them. When I finish, you’ll receive an in-depth report that gives you a solid idea of what revisions to work on and your next steps.
Here are some of the things I cover although this may vary.
- Plot
- Character
- Pacing
- Dialogue
- Voice
- Genre
- Setting
- Point of View
Things to know
You’ll receive a personalize report of between ten to fifteen pages.
Outline editing
A good outline is a roadmap showing your protagonist’s journey from beginning to end. Starting with an outline is a way to save rewrites, spot plot holes, and make sure your characters feel like real people living in a logical world.
I’ll go through your outline looking for anything that could cause you problems further down the line. After that, we’ll chat (Zoom) so we can brainstorm solutions for things like plot holes or weak characterization. Once I’ve checked your changes, we can schedule another call if you would like further discussion.
Here are some of the things I cover, although this may vary.
- Plot
- Characters
- Subplot
- Key plot points
- Logic
- Scenes
- Genre
- Ending
- World-building
Things to know
If you don’t know how to use an outline, I can show you an example and explain how to complete it.
Novel editing package
This package’s focus in on fixing language, tense, and dialogue problems but I’ll also check for any remaining issues with your plot and characters. I’ll prepare an editorial report that explains why I made changes and shows before and after examples from your novel. If there is anything I think may require rewriting or adding, I’ll let you know in the report.
When I finish, and you have made your final revisions, you’ll have a polished and cohesive manuscript ready for your next steps. This could be a copyedit (if you’ve made more changes) or a proofread. Although I don’t do these things myself, I can help you find someone who is a good fit.
Included in the package is a one hour Zoom call so we can chat if there’s anything you’re not clear about.
Here are some of the things I cover, although this may vary.
Language
- Grammar
- Repetition
- Dialogue
- Tense
- Spelling
- Punctuation
Big picture checks
- Plot
- Character
- Pacing
- Point of View
Things to know
I’ll return two versions of the manuscript. One with my comments and changes using tracked changes in Word, and the other a clean version with all my edits accepted.
I also offer feedback and coaching calls at $75 an hour.
Complete the form on my contact page for more information.
“I recently asked Kerry to “work your magic.” She takes great care to copiously review each story and offer specific language improvements that make everything better. She works quickly and provides thoughtful feedback. I’m grateful we’ve connected.”
Terrel Lefferts: Dance it Out Series