Writing is a solitary craft, but we all need help from time to time. I provide manuscript editing services ranging from short consultations that can sharpen the initial idea for an essay or book to thorough critiques of completed manuscripts. Call me what you like: A writing coach, developmental editor, development editor, memoir editor, or just plain nudge. But let’s work together.
Individual Instruction
Manuscript editing and critiques
This service is for those seeking a critique of a completed manuscript.
You will receive:
- A full read-through.
- Theme suggestions.
- Structure suggestions.
- A 3-5 page written critique (only on manuscripts over 250 pages).
- A marked-up manuscript returned with margin edits on content, encouragement for what is working, occasional lavish praise.
- A one-hour phone or Skype call to go over your manuscript. (Additional hours available at the rate listed below.) All manuscripts are returned within 3 weeks unless otherwise stipulated.
Writing a book
This service is for those who do not have a completed manuscript, but prefer to work one-on-one while writing a book.
This process includes:
- Individual Skype consultations, beginning with an initial conversation, during which you will be given specific tasks to help you identify your theme and argument.
- Follow-up consultations on how to structure the book and how to get it written in a reasonable amount of time.
(Regular submissions may be sent to me in the form of 1,000-word installments of your manuscript. This way, you may choose to have me read the whole book, or only those parts giving you trouble. When a completed manuscript is produced, you have the option to submit it for a thorough manuscript review at the rates below.)
Writing essays
This is for those wanting to learn how to write the personal essay, op-ed or blog post.
This consists of Skype or phone consultations on:
- How to construct an essay, op-ed or blog post.
- How to get it written.
- How to edit for space.
- How to build a collection of essays for possible publication as a book.
- How to turn those essays into one, long-form manuscript.
Rates
My minimum engagement is $500.
Details:
- $250/ hour for reading and consulting on manuscripts of fewer than 150 pages.
- $950/100 pages of a manuscript over 100 pages. In other words, a 300-page manuscript would be $2,850.
(Please note: All manuscripts must be double-spaced, Times Roman 12-point type.)
How to begin
Contact me by clicking on the email button in the upper right corner of this page, or email me at mroachsmith [at] gmail [dot] com. Tell me the following things:
- What you currently possess – an idea for a book/essay, a work in progress or a completed manuscript.
- Which services interest you.
- How to contact you.
What you will get
- A quick response.
- If we agree on terms, you will receive a commitment from me to do my best work.
- A follow-up letter telling you how to proceed.
(Note: You pay nothing until we agree on a plan and price, and contract to begin work together.)
What you sometimes get instead
After an initial consult, or after I look at the manuscript, I may suggest using a different editor. I work closely with a former NYC publishing executive whose expertise is broad, and who I regularly suggest for jobs. If this is the case, you owe me nothing and are free to negotiate directly with her.
What you do not get
- A line edit. I cannot fix your book. I can tell you how to fix it. You will not get a line edit for content, grammar or punctuation. I can recommend a skilled copy editor.
- A guarantee of publication. No one can guarantee you that. I promise that I will bring the full knowledge of my four books, countless essays and blog posts, and more than 20 years of teaching to your project.
- Gratuitous praise. I will always tell you the truth.
Copyediting
I now offer a full range of copyediting services. These are provided by people who work in this job professionally, and can be supplied in tandem with my manuscript services, or entirely on their own.
Group Instruction
I now offer a series of online classes. Come see my 5 Steps for Writing Great Memoir for more information on those. Follow them and you will succeed.
Invite me for your group
I am available to teach the fine art of writing memoir to large and small groups.
I can provide:
- Memoirama, a one-hour multi-media presentation.
- A humorous one-hour TED-ish talk in defense of memoir, plus time for Q&A.
- Memoirama, plus a two-hour session of instruction in which students pitch me their work.
- An initial lecture plus follow-up classes.
- A Master Class.
Contact me at mroachsmith [at] gmail [dot] com about any of this.
(Please note: Rates vary by size of group and duration of classes and include travel expenses.)
