Unleash your manuscript’s potential
Tired of staring at your book draft, questioning your sanity?
Fear no more! Finicky Muse Editorial will sprinkle some literary magic on your manuscript, transforming it into a page-turner.
From plot inconsistencies to flimsy characters, we’ll tackle it all. Don’t wait for inspiration to strike again—submit your draft today, and watch your masterpiece come to life.
1:1 Consulting
At Finicky Muse Editorial, I know that the writing process can often feel solitary and daunting. To help break through that writing bubble, I offer 1:1 consulting options to support all authors, new and experienced, throughout various stages of their writing journey. Whether you need help brainstorming story ideas, overcoming writer's block, or simply wish to debrief following a collaboration, I am here to provide the guidance and expertise you need.
SESSION TYPES
Pre-Collaboration Discussions
Collaborating with other writers, editors, or creative professionals can greatly enhance the quality and impact of your work. Before embarking on any collaboration, it is crucial to establish clear goals, expectations, and a shared vision. In these sessions, we will meticulously plan your collaboration, defining roles, discussing timelines and milestones, and establishing effective modes of communication. By laying a solid foundation, you can ensure a successful and harmonious creative partnership.
Brainstorming Story Ideas
Coming up with innovative and captivating story ideas is a fundamental step in any author's creative process. However, sometimes it can be challenging to generate fresh concepts or to refine existing ideas. In these brainstorming sessions, I will work closely with you to explore different angles, develop characters, and delve into captivating plotlines. Together, we will nurture your imagination and enhance your storytelling abilities, ensuring your ideas are dynamic and engaging.
Conquering Writer's Block
Writer's block is an all too common obstacle that can disrupt an author's creative flow and stall progress. If you find yourself grappling with inspiration or struggling to put words on the page, these sessions can provide an invaluable antidote. Through personalized strategies and exercises, we will uncover methods to overcome writer's block, rejuvenate your creativity, and foster a productive writing routine. Together, we will reignite your passion for writing and empower you to surmount any hurdles.
The Debrief
After completing a collaboration, it is essential to reflect on the process and outcomes to maximize its value and learn from the experience. In our debriefing sessions, I’ll walk us through my assessment, zeroing in on strengths and areas for improvements, ironing out any lingering questions, and outlining next steps.
RATES*
You can book these highly customized consulting sessions for either 30 minutes, 1 hour, or 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on your specific needs. With flexible scheduling options, we can cater to your availability and ensure that our sessions are convenient for you.
Your first 30-minute session, no matter the session type, is completely FREE. Furthermore, post-collab debriefs are freely available for all who have requested an Editorial Assessment and/or Developmental Edit.
Otherwise, rates are as follows for ALL session types:
30-minute session: $25
1 hr session: $50
1 hr 30 session: $75
Investing in 1:1 consulting offers unparalleled benefits, allowing you to receive personalized guidance, cultivate your skills, and accelerate your progress as an author. Let's embark on this transformative journey together and unlock your full writing potential. Speak soon!
editorial assessments
With my commitment to nurturing and enhancing literary talent, I offer thorough and professional assessments tailored to each author's unique needs. Each assessment document will include a) an overall summary of your manuscript for reference purposes, b) general thoughts, c) strengths/weaknesses and strategies for improvement, and d) next steps. My focus will be ensuring you have the strategies and insight necessary to ensure your story captivates readers and resonates within the competitive market.
TIMEFRAME: The timeframe for an editorial assessment can vary depending on the length and complexity of the manuscript. On average, the assessment process takes approximately 3 to 4 weeks. However, I understand that each author's needs are unique, and will work closely with them to establish mutually agreed-upon timelines.
RATE*: As with most of our services, the rate for editorial assessments is dependent on word count and will encompass detailed analysis, feedback report, and any ongoing communication between the author and myself. Please contact us for a quote today!
MAIN GOALS
In-Depth Analysis:
My editorial assessments go beyond surface-level critiques. My goal is to delve deep into the manuscript, examining various aspects such as plot structure, character development, pacing, dialogue, and overall writing style. Expect constructive feedback and suggestions that aim to strengthen the manuscript's foundation and maximize its potential. As mentioned above, my assessment will provide a comprehensive written report that outlines findings, analyses, and suggestions. This report will highlight specific examples from the manuscript and offer actionable advice on how to enhance the storytelling craft. We believe that insightful, detailed feedback is key to assisting authors in their writing journey. If necessary, I like to provide exercises at the end of the document that help you practice certain techniques, or to use repeatedly as a tool to heighten specific aspects of your work.
Empower and Improve:
With Finicky Muse Editorial, authors can expect a balanced approach to their work. I will not only highlight the manuscript's strengths and unique aspects but also provide insightful critiques to help authors refine their storytelling techniques. Often times, critiques will only remain just that: my aim is to ensure my critiques are also balanced out with suggestions for improvement, even offering examples of how these suggestions could work.
DELIVERY: Upon completion of my assessment, I deliver the report to the author as a PDF, usually ranging from 5 to 10 pages. The report is formatted professionally, making it easily accessible and digestible. The author will have the opportunity to discuss the assessment and seek clarification on any points raised through a scheduled consultation session or via email, whichever is preferred.
developmental edits
Developmental editing is an essential process in crafting a manuscript that shines with depth and clarity. At Finicky Muse Editorial, I take great pride in offering comprehensive developmental editing services to authors seeking to enhance the structure, plot, characterization, and overall flow of their work. Developmental edits typically take the form of in-depth notes within the manuscript, usually shown in the form of marginal comments, highlights, or tracked changes. If you are receiving a developmental edit for the first time, I typically offer an editorial assessment to help provide a foundational overview to guide you whilst review the marginal comments within the manuscript itself.
TIMEFRAME: As with editorial assessments, the timeframe for developmental edits can vary depending on the length and complexity of the manuscript. On average, the editing process takes approximately 4 to 5 weeks for manuscripts under 80,000 words. For manuscripts exceeding 80,000 words, the turnaround time may be extended to 6 weeks. However, I am open to discussing specific timelines and can accommodate urgent requests if my schedule allows.
RATE*: I charge a fee per word, which includes the comprehensive editorial assessment, in-line comments, and ongoing email support to address any questions or concerns the author may have. To receive a personalized quote for your manuscript, I encourage authors to reach out to me directly with their project details.
Editing FAQs
What are Developmental Edits?
My developmental edits include marginal comments from chapter to chapter, focusing more so on “big picture” items, from voice to content structure, plot to character. This type of editing is different from copy editing or proofreading, which concentrate on grammar, spelling, and sentence-level issues. Developmental edits help identify strengths and weaknesses in a work, offering constructive feedback and suggestions to improve the overall coherence and impact of the story.
What do Developmental Edits look like?
Primarily, I employ in-line comments throughout the manuscript, pointing out specific examples that illustrate key editorial suggestions, questions, research, or reactions. Marginal comments focus on bigger items like how to strengthen the plot, develop characters, enhance dialogue, improve pacing, and ensure consistency throughout.
How are Developmental Edits delivered?
Once the initial review process is complete, the author will have their full manuscript returned to them digitally, now marked with my edits and marginal comments. If this is the author’s first time receiving developmental edits, an editorial assessment will also be provided as a PDF document, making it easily accessible for review. Authors have the choice to provide their manuscript as a Word, Pages, or Google document (as long as it’s editable!). Note that with a Google document, you will be able to see my edits in real-time — however, as with all formats, I request that authors do not make further changes to their manuscript until my process is complete.
line edits
Line editing is a crucial phase in the editing process that focuses on improving the overall clarity, flow, and coherence of a written work. Unlike developmental edits, which address broader structural concerns, line edits zoom in on the finer details of the text, enhancing its readability and impact.
TIMEFRAME: Generally, I aim to complete line edits within two weeks to six weeks, depending on the project length and level of line edits needed. Typically, when authors reach the line editing stage, I recommend we only work together on a few chapters at a time.
RATE*:The rates for line editing services also differ based on factors such as word count, complexity, and the level of editing required. I will need to see a sample of your work prior to collaboration in order to assess the level of line editing necessary.
Line Editing FAQs
What is Line Editing?
Line editing involves examining every line of a manuscript, sentence by sentence, to ensure that the language used is concise, engaging, and appropriate for the target audience. I meticulously check for issues related to grammar, punctuation, syntax, word choice, consistency, and overall style. This process also involves addressing repetitive phrases, weak or ambiguous language, and awkward sentence structures. The primary goal is to enhance the quality of the writing and make it more compelling.
How are Line Edits delivered?
Line edits are usually delivered electronically in the form of a marked-up manuscript. Microsoft Word's "Track Changes" feature is commonly used for this purpose; Pages and Google Docs have a similar feature. In this format, editors provide suggestions, comments, and corrections directly within the manuscript, highlighting areas that require attention and offering alternative wordings. This approach allows for easy navigation and collaboration between the author and the editor.
Finally, I’m always happy to provide light, grammatical editing for all those authors seeking developmental edits. Just ask!
important Note
*Prices and timelines are subject to change. Payment plans are available for all authors upon request, just ask when sending me your project information and we can build a plan that works for both of us. For the most accurate information, I encourage prospective authors to reach out to me directly for a customized quote and estimation.