Now Offering: Premiere Critiques

 Hello, all!

It's been a while since I've worn my editor's cap, but I've decided, at least for a little while, to offer limited services to any writers who might need them. In short, I'm bringing back my Premiere Critique on a first come, first served basis.

WHAT IS A PREMIERE CRITIQUE?

A Premiere Critique is an editorial letter and a detailed line edit of the first 75 pages of your completed, polished manuscript.  I will complete your critique within 1 week of your having hired me. 

Things to think about:

• If nobody has ever read your work before (as in, ever), then don't hire me.  Find a critique partner.
• If this is your Very First Novel, then I am not the editor for you.  My time--and your money--is better served if you have a novel or two under your belt, and if your current manuscript is clean.  (Clean doesn't mean "perfect": it just means...clean.  Polished and proofread.)
• I will edit most genres, but if you're not sure, please check with me in your introductory email.  I will absolutely not accept erotica or erotic romance, and I also do not accept memoirs.  My strengths are YA and MG, though I've done a sizable number of adult critiques in the past.  My true loves are fantasy and science fiction, but again, I'm open to all the things, other than my exceptions noted above.

The cost:

• A Premiere Critique costs $260.  I will require a $130 dollar down payment, and the remaining $130 will be due after you've received my critique.
• Payments are accepted via Paypal or Venmo. 

If you have questions or would like to go ahead and reserve a spot, please email me at authoressedits@gmail.com. 

Editing Services -- What I've Got For You

It's been a while since I've posted the details about Authoress Edits.

Here's what's available to you:

1.  30-page Critique

This is a detailed line edit of the first 30 pages of your completed manuscript.  NO FIRST DRAFTS, PLEASE.*  Your critique package includes an editorial letter, and your project will be completed according to your position in the queue.  Normally that's about 1 month.  $95

2.  First 3-page Peek

This is a detailed line edit of your first 3 pages, to give you an idea of why your opening works--or why it doesn't.  Includes a brief editorial letter.  $18.

3.  Premiere Critique -- NOW AVAILABLE FOR AUGUST!

This is a detailed line edit of the first 75 pages of your completed manuscript.  NO FIRST DRAFTS, PLEASE. *  Your critique package includes an editorial letter and a guaranteed 1-week turnaround.  $260

Please note:  I ONLY offer these spots once a month or so.  Please pay attention to the blog, my Twitter feed, and my Authoress Edits Facebook page for announcements.

4.  Full Manuscript Critique

This is on a per-project basis, and I will only consider the following:  FANTASY (MG, YA, or adult), SCIENCE FICTION (MG or YA), SPECULATIVE FICTION (YA or adult), YA Contemporary, YA or MG Historical.

If you are interested in any of the above, please email me at authoress.edits(at)gmail.com.  The PREMIERE CRITIQUE slot will be offered on a first come, first served basis.

* You should never pay money to anyone for a critique of a first draft.  Not ever.  Let it sit, revise it, then have others read the second draft to see where you're at.  Once you're feeling like your work is polished but ready for the next step, THEN email me!  :)

ANNOUNCEMENT: Premiere Critique Now Available

Here it is -- my official "I've got a slot for you!" announcement.  If you've been waiting to take advantage of a Premiere Critique from Authoress Edits, now's your chance.

What you'll get:

• A detailed line edit of your first 75 pages
• An editorial letter
• A guaranteed 1-week turnaround

Cost:  $260 (made in 2 installments via Paypal)

Note:  No first drafts

Email me at authoress.edits(at)gmail.com to reserve your spot!  First come, first served.

Authoress Edits--I've Got Room For You!

First of all -- loving the critiques, as always!  Please keep them coming.  If you didn't have time to offer your feedback yesterday, jump right in today.

I sometimes forget that I am constantly picking up new readers who may not know the details about my editing services.  So here it is, in a proverbial nutshell:

REGULAR 30-PAGE CRITIQUE:

This is my normal offering.  For $95 (payable in 2 installments), I will critique the first 30 pages of your completed manuscript, offering a detailed line edit and an editorial letter.  Turnaround is 1 to 2 months, depending on the queue and my writing workload.

PREMIERE CRITIQUE:

I offer these when I have time.  For $260 (payable in 2 installments), I will critique the first 75 pages of your completed manuscript, offering a detailed line edit and an editorial letter.  The Premiere Critique has a GUARANTEED 1-week turnaround.

FIRST 3 PAGES:

Occasionally, I will announce that I'm accepting submissions for 3-page critiques for $18.  This is a good way to see if your opening pages are working.

ALL THAT to say:  I am currently available to accept ONE Premiere Critique.  This will be the last Premiere Critique I will offer until July (because June is vacation month).  If you are interested, please email me at authoress.edits(at)gmail.com.  As always, this is first come, first served.

SOME EXTRA LITTLE NOTES:

• Please don't hire me in lieu of finding a good critique partner.  Swapping your work with colleagues should always come before hiring someone.
• Please don't hire me to critique your first draft.  Not ever.  I've editing some work in the past that I'm convinced were first drafts, and trust me--it's exhausting to edit.  Nobody should ever (ever) pay for a professional edit of a first draft.  Save the hiring for when you've got a clean manuscript that needs an outsider's eye on the bigger picture.  Then you will truly benefit!

Questions?  Email me, or ask below.

Wrap-Up Month

That's really what it boils down to--December is largely a "wrap-up" for the publishing industry.

It's unlikely that your agent will send out a new round of subs this month.

It's unlikely that an editor will buy your book this month.

It's unlikely that anyone is going to start a new project this month (especially in the wake of NaNoWriMo).

It's unlikely that anything will kick off, embark, move forward, or otherwise Happen this month.

Mind you, this industry is a study in exceptions!  But overall, December is more a non-month than an actual month.

Which is actually nice, because I LOVE CHRISTMAS.  So it's nice to slide into the final month ready to celebrate Christmas or Chanukah or whatever is important to you in December, yes?

I'm in a lovely, contented-sigh place right now, just having finished another round of revisions for Danielle's sharp eye, and having absolutely no intention of beginning anything new.

Well, okay.  I'll play around some more with Book 2 ideas.  I may even pull out that Other Novel and give it a read, to see how I'd like to change it.  But Actual, Firm-Deadline Work?  No, thank you!

Unless, of course, Danielle says, "Fix this!"  Because you know how it goes.

But for now, I'm happy to be at this hard-work-finished place.  And I hope that, wherever you are in your personal writing load, you will also come to this happy place some time in the next couple of weeks.  Because having time to take a DEEP BREATH during this season is such a good thing!

I've been admittedly lax here on the blog as well.  I'm evaluating and planning right now, and I'll let you know what the coming year will look like.

For those of you interested in an Authoress Edits critique:

I now have a Premiere Critique slot open for December.  The Premiere Critique is:

• a detailed line edit of your first 75 pages
• an editorial letter
• a guaranteed 1-week turnaround
• $260, payable in 2 equal installments

Please email me at authoress.edits(at)gmail.com if you would like to secure this spot.  First come, first served!

Premiere Critique Slot Now Open

I'm opening a Premiere Critique Slot for August -- first come, first served.

• Detailed line edit of your first 75 pages
• Editorial letter
• $260
• Guaranteed 1-week turnaround

Please email me at authoress.edits(at)gmail.com if you are interested in this critique slot!

Editing Services -- Window Open

Hello, all!  I'm reeling from a super-busy week last week, and trying to get back into my writing groove.  Easier said than done (especially since this WIP has been biting my beehive since forever).

Anyway, it's been a while but I've got some room for a couple of PREMIERE CRITIQUES.  First come, first served.  The skinny:

• A detailed line edit of your first 75 pages
• An editorial letter
• A guaranteed 1-week turnaround from the day you send me your manuscript
• $260, payable in 2 installments

Interested?  Email me ASAP at authoress.edits(at)gmail.com.

ALSO AVAILABLE:  My normal, 30-page critiques, as always.  Email me to get your name in the queue.

Happy Tuesday, all!  We'll be celebrating a very special book birthday later this week, so stay tuned!

Authoress Edits: Premiere Critiques Available Again

It's been a while, but I'm finally opening up to Premiere Critiques again.  First come, first served.

A Premiere Critique is:

• A detailed line edit of your first 75 pages
• An editorial letter
• A guaranteed 1-week turnaround from the day you send your project
• $260, with half payable up front (Paypal)

Right now I'm planning on taking on just one Premiere Critique this month, but if I get more interest, I'll establish a queue.

Interested?  Email me at authoress.edits(at)gmail.com.  (Please DO NOT email me at my facelesswords account.)

Reminder:

I'm always taking on new clients for my regular 30-page critique ($95).  You can email me at authoress.edits(at)gmail.com to inquire about this service as well.

And I will look at any project except erotica/erotic romance.  If it's something I don't think I'll do justice to, I will let you know.

One More Premiere Critique Available (Before the Crazies Hit!)

Baker's Dozen submissions are the week after next, and that means SLUSH READING PARTIES WITH JODI MEADOWS.  (Have I ever mentioned how much fun we have?)

So this means that NOW is the time for me to take on one final Premiere Critique before the month-of-crazies hits.

Here's what you get:

• detailed line edit of your first 75 pages
• editorial letter
• guaranteed 1-week turnaround

A Premiere Critique costs $260, with half payable up front.  First come, first served.

ALSO AVAILABLE:

• Regular 30-page critique, $95, 1- to 2-month turnaround
• 3-page critique, $18, 1- to 4-week turnaround

Email me TODAY at authoress.edits(at)gmail.com to get into the queue, or to ask specific questions.

Premiere Critique Slot Available

I wasn't able to offer a premiere critique in the beginning of the month because I was filled up with other editing projects.  However, I'm going to have time to take one on this week, so if you're interested, it's first come, first served!

A PREMIERE CRITIQUE IS:

• A detailed line edit of your first 75 pages
• Editorial letter
• Guaranteed 1-week turnaround
• $260, half due up front and half after completion of the edit

Interested?  Email me at authoress.edits(at)gmail.com today!

(As always, my $95 30-page edits are available, and are completed in the order in which they are received, with a 1- to 2-month turnaround.)

August Editing Openings

Part of me is in denial that I'm actually talking about August.  (Right?)

I've got one opening for a Premiere Critique during the first week of August.

PREMIERE CRITIQUE:

• detailed line edit of your first 75 pages
• editorial letter
• guaranteed 1-week turnaround
• $260 - half up front, half when I've finished the project

As always, you can also hire me for a regular 30-page edit for $95, or a 3-page, see-if-your-opening-is-working edit for $18.

Please send all inquiries to authoress.edits(at)gmail.com.

Editing Slots Open for July!

Vacation is over (alas! alas!) and AUTHORESS EDITS is back in business.

I have space for 2 (yes! two!) PREMIERE CRITIQUES during the month of July.  For those of you who have been waiting, here's your chance!

A Premiere Critique includes:

• a detailed line-edit of your first 75 pages (no first drafts, please)
• an editorial letter
• a guaranteed 1-week turnaround

Cost:  $260

As always, I will accept new clients on a first come, first served basis.  Email me at authoress.edits(at)gmail.com if you would like to secure a spot.  I require a 50% down payment.

For those of you who are interested in my normal 30-page critique:  Good news!  I've caught up, and right now my response time is 1 month or less.  The sooner you get your name in the queue, the more likely you will be to get your critique back pretty darn fast.

My regular 30-page critique includes:

• a detailed line edit of your first 30 pages (no first drafts, please)
• an editorial letter
• 1 month or shorter response time

Cost:  $95 

Email me to secure your spot in the queue.  The down payment is $50.

FUN FUN FUN: I'm accept 3-page critiques again!

A line edit of your first 3 pages will cost you $18.  The turnaround is 1 to 4 weeks.

FULL MANUSCRIPT EDITS:

If you're looking for a content edit (and NOT a line edit!), my irreplaceable critique partner, Julie Butcher, is your gal.  Her editing window will be open July 7 - 31, and she's GOOD at this.  Prices and contact information are HERE.

And, finally, a reminder that trusted critique partners should always be the first step in your editing process!  When you're ready to go to the next level, I'm here for you.  

Editing Services: One Opening For June

I'll be leaving for vacation in a week and a half, but I have created time for myself this week to take on one Premiere Critique.  (I didn't offer one last month, so if you've been waiting, here ya go!)

The Premiere Critique:

• detailed line edit of your first 75 pages
• editorial letter
• one-week turnaround
• $260, half up front (via Paypal)

If you would like to hire me for this service, email me at authoressedits(at)gmail.com.  I will fill the slot on a first come, first served basis.

I will be accepting more 3-page edits again in July.  And I continue to accept my basic 30-page edits, which have a 1- to 2-month turnaround.

Three-Page Edits -- Available

I'm caught up on all my 3-page edits, which I weave in between my larger projects.  If you've been wanting to hire me for your opening 3 pages, I'm all yours!

The details:

• Full line edit of your first 3 pages, plus an editorial letter
• $18, payable via Paypal
• 1- to 4-week turnaround, depending on my schedule

Email me at authoress.edits(at)gmail.com to get into the queue!

Premiere Critique Slot Open

If you've been waiting for the next slot to open, your chance has arrived.  I've cleared my schedule for another Premiere Critique from Authoress Edits.  The details:

• a detailed line edit of your first 75 pages
• editorial letter
• guaranteed 1-week turnaround
• $260, payable in 2 installments

Interested?  Email me at authoress.edits(at)gmail.com.  All genres except erotica.  First come, first served.

I've also caught up on my latest round of 3-page edits, so if you'd like me to look at your first 3 pages for $18, email me.

And, of course, I continually accept my classic 30-page projects, for which the wait time is now only 1 1 1/2 to 2 months (used to be 3 months, so this makes me happy!).  

Just a reminder:  If nobody has ever read your work before, PLEASE DON'T HIRE ME.  You need a critique partner (or 2 or 3 or 10) before you need an edit-for-hire.  Do your first rounds first, and THEN pop me an email!

UPDATE:  The slot has been filled.  Check again next month!

Editing Options

Okay, writers--here is some info for those of you who wish to go a step beyond critique partners:

AUTHORESS EDITS

1.  I've once again got openings for 3-page edits, so bring 'em on!  It's a great, relatively quick (1 to 4 weeks, depending on load and schedule) to get feedback on your 3 opening pages.  An in-depth line edit plus editorial letter will cost you $18.  Email me at authoress.edits(at)gmail.com if you are interested.  (Projects will go into the queue in the order in which they are received.)

2.  I still have ONE opening this month for a Premiere Critique (75-page line edit plus editorial letter).  Availability changes as my schedule changes, so grab it while I'm free!

3.  And I continue to accept 30-page critiques in my queue on a regular basis.

JULIE BUTCHER -- "I CAN TELL YOU WHY YOUR MANUSCRIPT SUCKS"

If you're looking for a content edit (and NOT a line edit!), my irreplaceable critique partner, Julie Butcher, is your gal.  Her editing window is opening again on MONDAY, MARCH 25.  If you want an edit, you need to in the queue, because she only has 2 weeks available in her schedule.  Prices and contact information are HERE.

JAMIE WYMAN

For full-blown editorial services, I'd like to introduce you to Jamie.  Her entire menu of services can be found ON HER WEB SITE.  She comes highly recommended by editor Gabriel Harbowy, who has been a friend of this blog for years (and who has scooped up authors here!).

As an introductory special, Jamie is offering a 10% discount to the first 3 people who mention me. (You know, something artless like, "Authoress sent me".)

Critique Slot Available

I'm opening a slot for February for a Premiere Critique (and I'll let you know when it's been filled, both here and on Twitter).  Details below.

I do want to highlight the first thing-to-think-about listed below, which is this:

If nobody has ever read your work before (as in, ever), then don't hire me.  Find a critique partner.

I'm serious about this.  It's imperative that you have others read your work (and, of course, you will read theirs).  Critique is the main way we get better--and it's free.  If you have no idea whether your writing is good or not--have never written a novel before--or have only done one draft of the story, please don't hire me.

For one thing, your work probably isn't ready for pay-by-hire editing.  Sure, you can do it if you want to.  But when I'm spending ALL MY EDITING TIME fixing your commas and pointing out POV errors and tense shifts and overwritten sentences and grammatical train wrecks, there isn't much chance to get to the big picture.  Even worse--sometimes there isn't much of a big picture, because your story has no direction.

(And, no, I am not referring to a particular manuscript.  I would never do that.)

Edit-for-hire is the NEXT STEP in your polishing journey.  AFTER you've done a few drafts; AFTER you've gotten (and incorporated) feedback from critique partners; AFTER you've arrived at the I-like-it-but-I'm-not-sure-how-to-make-it-better stage.

So if you've done your work, gotten your critiques, done some revising, and you're ready for an in-depth look at your first 75 pages to see whether they're working, THAT'S THE TIME TO HIRE ME.  You'll get the MOST out of it, for sure.

(And, hey.  If you've read everything I've just said and you still want to send me your very first novel?  I won't turn you away.  I'm just trying to help you make the best investments for your work.  Capiche?)

As always, my 30-page critiques are available, too.  Names go into the queue in the order in which they are received.  Current reading time is 2 months or less.

WHAT IS A PREMIERE CRITIQUE?

A Premiere Critique is an editorial letter and a detailed line edit of the first 75 pages of your completed, polished manuscript.  I will complete your critique within 1 week of your having hired me. 

Things to think about:

• If nobody has ever read your work before (as in, ever), then don't hire me.  Find a critique partner.
• If this is your Very First Novel, then I am not the editor for you.  My time--and your money--is better served if you have a novel or two under your belt, and if your current manuscript is clean.  (Clean doesn't mean "perfect": it just means...clean.  Polished and proofread.)
• I will edit most genres, but if you're not sure, please check with me in your introductory email.  I will absolutely not accept erotica or erotic romance, and I also do not accept memoirs.  My strengths are YA and MG, though I've done a sizable number of adult critiques since setting up shop in January.  My true loves are fantasy and science fiction, but one of my favorite projects so far this year was a cotemporary YA (who knew?).  So, other than my exceptions noted above, almost anything goes.

The cost:

• A Premiere Critique costs $260.  I will require a $130 dollar down payment, and the remaining $130 will be due after you've received my critique.*
• Payments are accepted via Paypal.  You do not need to have a Paypal account to use Paypal.  (It will ask you for your credit/debit card.)

*Please note that I've raised the cost slightly.  This is because Paypal fees are ridiculous.  (Seriously; that's the only reason.)

Editing Services: What's Available

A belated Happy January to you!

Here's the editing services scoop for the New Year:

1.  In December, I offered 3-page edits to the Baker's Dozen entrants who didn't make it into the auction.  The response was good, and I found the critiques quite enjoyable!  So I'm now opening this offer to everyone.

If you would like a line edit of your first 3 pages (including an editorial letter) for $18, please email me.

2.  I have an opening for one Premiere Critique this month.  This critique includes a detailed line edit of your first 75 pages, plus an editorial letter.  The cost is $250.  $125 will be due as down payment prior to my taking on your project.  I will fill this slot first come, first served.

If you are interested in securing this spot, please email me.

3.  As always, my normal 30-page critiques are available for $95.  Email me if you are interested.

Make sure to "like" the AUTHORESS EDITS FACEBOOK PAGE to stay abreast of updates and announcements--especially if you're thinking of hiring me in the future but aren't quite ready to yet.

Please direct all editing inquiries to AUTHORESSEDITS(at)GMAIL.COM.  (Please don't send them to my facelesswords account.)

And that's that!  Hope to have the opportunity to work with some more of you in the coming year.

AUTHORESS EDITS -- Update

Finally I've caught up to the point where my lag time is no longer ridiculous.  If you've been waiting to sign up for a critique, now's your chance to get one in 2 months OR LESS.  (I try to pad these things.  It's more likely the "OR LESS".)

The details:

• I will provide a detailed line edit of your first 30 pages, as well as an editorial letter.
• The cost is $95, payable via Paypal.  $50 down, $45 upon completion of the project.
• Email me at authoress.edits(at)gmail.com to discuss your project!  (I will take most genres. Never erotica or erotic romance. Check with me if you're not sure.)

Premiere Critiques:

I am not currently accepting more of these.  I will let you know the next time I do this (not sure if I'll be able to take one on in December or not--stay tuned!).  A Premiere Critique is a detailed line edit and editorial letter for your first 75 pages for $250.  If this is something you'd be interested in down the road, make sure you've "liked" my Authoress Edits Facebook Page to stay current, as well as checking in here regularly for announcements.

And now, back to your regularly scheduled Baker's Dozen frenzy!

Premiere Critiques Now Available!

Back in July, I offered a Premiere Critique--just one, mind you--and ended up with several requests before I finally posted that the offer had been filled.  Well, I've finally gotten through all those, so I'm opening the offer again!

I've got one Premiere Critique available for October, and one for November.  First come, first served.  (In other words, I will answer emails in the order in which I receive them.)

WHAT IS A PREMIERE CRITIQUE?

A Premiere Critique is an editorial letter and a detailed line edit of the first 75 pages of your completed, polished manuscript.  I will complete your critique within 1 week of your having hired me. 

Things to think about:

• If nobody has ever read your work before (as in, ever), then don't hire me.  Find a critique partner.
• If this is your Very First Novel, then I am not the editor for you.  My time--and your money--is better served if you have a novel or two under your belt, and if your current manuscript is clean.  (Clean doesn't mean "perfect": it just means...clean.  Polished and proofread.)
• I will edit most genres, but if you're not sure, please check with me in your introductory email.  I will absolutely not accept erotica or erotic romance, and I also do not accept memoirs.  My strengths are YA and MG, though I've done a sizable number of adult critiques since setting up shop in January.  My true loves are fantasy and science fiction, but one of my favorite projects so far this year was a cotemporary YA (who knew?).  So, other than my exceptions noted above, almost anything goes.

The cost:

• A Premiere Critique costs $260.  I will require a $130 dollar down payment, and the remaining $130 will be due after you've received my critique.
• Payments are accepted via Paypal.  You do not need to have a Paypal account to use Paypal.  (It will ask you for your credit/debit card.)

REGULAR CRITIQUES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE

My normal critique offers an editorial letter and detailed line edits for the first 30 pages of your completed manuscript.  The cost is $95--that's $50 down and $45 due upon completion.

The GOOD NEWS is that my wait time is now at a much more manageable 2 months!  Which means, of course, that clients who sign up in October will have their projects back in December.

(Unless you slam me again.  But again, it's first come, first served.)

Please direct all inquiries to authoress.edits(at)gmail.com.  (NOT any other email address!  I keep all editing correspondence separate from my blog stuff.)

Feel free to post general questions below.  Otherwise, I look forward to hearing from you!

UPDATE: The Premiere Critique slots have both been filled.