Writing & Editing Tips

What Can Your Elevator Pitch Tell You About Your WIP?

The second you even think about writing a book, if you talk about it to anyone, you will have to answer the question: What it is about? For many authors, this can be a difficult question to answer in the 1-5 sentence synopsis commonly known as an “elevator pitch”. And that’s understandable. How can you sum up 80,000 words into just a few? Full-length novels are always going to be about more than one thing. So, what should you focus on and what can be left out? I recommend that all authors develop an elevator pitch as soon as possible

3 Tips for Preparing for a Manuscript Evaluation

Getting to the editing stage (when you’re exposing your work to professional critique likely for the first time!) can be both an exciting and scary process. This is something you have likely poured months, if not years into. So, it makes total sense that having someone go through it with a literary fine-toothed comb could be overwhelming. But, this should be a fun and invigorating process! If you’re working with a great and compassionate editor, they are going to spark new ideas and inspiration in you even if they are calling for big changes. Still, if you’re nervous about heading

The 4 Stages of Editing Explained

As an editor, one of the first questions I have for anyone looking to hire someone like me is, “What type of editing are you looking for?” I have found that while most writers know the basics of what editors can offer them, many are fuzzy on the different stages of editing and what titles or key words to look for when looking for the right editor for them. Sometimes you’re looking for someone who can simply fix typos and grammatical errors. Other times, you are looking for a full assessment of story, character, and themes. Truthfully, there are many

5 Questions to Ask Before Choosing an Editor

Editing someone else’s work is a huge responsibility. Editors are often the first people that authors trust to even read their work other than close friends and family and on top of this need to not only break down all of the elements that are working and need attention, but also need to help the author to come up with solutions without inserting themselves too deeply into someone else’s work. It is a delicate art form unto itself. This is why writers should consider several things before deciding that an editor is right for them and their book. 1. What

3 Ways to Know It Is Time to Hire an Editor

As a writer, one of the scariest moments is that first time you push send on your email or print off a draft and let someone else read your words. In a way, there is no turning back from there. Your work (that you have likely spent months or even years on) is out there to be judged and evaluated. This can feel as exposing as standing naked in front of someone and handing them a Sharpie, inviting them to circle anything that they don’t like. If you’re working as a professional writer or want to become a published author,

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