Client Profile
Are my services right for you?
As a manuscript editor, I work with publishers and authors of nonfiction books. Let’s break down those three ingredients more specifically to see where you might fit in.
Publishers...
Many publishers hire freelance editors to do the thorough, line-by-line editing that their in-house staff doesn’t have time for. Using freelancers is often the only way to meet a demanding publishing schedule.
But publishers also benefit from the freelancer’s outside perspective. Looking at the manuscript with a fresh eye, a freelancer can often detect problems and solutions that in-house staff missed.
...and authors...
Individual authors hire freelance editors for a variety of reasons. How many of these apply to you?
- You’re planning to submit your manuscript to a publisher or agent and want to make sure it has the best possible chance of being accepted.
- An agent, traditional publisher, or book publishing service has advised you to edit or revise your manuscript.
- You’re self-publishing your book and want the finished product to be polished and professional.
- You’re an expert in many things, but grammar isn’t one of them.
- You have better things to do with your time than look up obscure style rules.
- You want someone to look at your manuscript objectively and make suggestions
for improvement.
- You’d like a collaborator to help you organize your thoughts and express them
more effectively.
- You need some assistance with preparing a book proposal package.
If any of these describe your situation, hiring a freelance editor is a smart decision.
... of nonfiction books
Fiction and nonfiction books require different approaches to editing. I specialize in nonfiction books, an area in which I have years of experience.
Most of the books I edit are written for a general audience—not scholars or experts in a specialized field. Yet these books may include some pretty complex ideas. I help make sure they’re communicated clearly.
Most of my projects are trade books (that is, books sold in bookstores and online). I also take on a limited number of educational publishing projects.
Subject matter specialties
Although open to a wide variety of subject matter, I’m especially drawn to subjects that fit into one of two broad categories.
Thought-provoking—subjects that inspire curiosity, imagination, and thoughtful exploration of ideas, such as:
- liberal religion and spirituality
- philosophy
- history
- science
- reference
Practical—subjects that directly benefit readers in some way, including:
- health/wellness
- nutrition
- self-improvement
- money management/personal finance
- communication
- computer skills
- how-to
The ideal client
Whether you’re a publisher or an author, we’re most likely to work together successfully if:
- You believe that your books make a difference in people’s lives. Yes, we all want to make money. But making a quick buck shouldn’t be the sole motivation for writing or publishing. I love books because they can entertain, educate, and inspire, and I hope you do too.
- You value quality. If you’re willing to “get by” with a sloppily produced book, I’m not the editor for you. I take pride in being thorough, and I’m obsessive about quality.
Are we a match?
If you’re the kind of client I want to help, find out why I’m the kind of editor
you’ll want to hire.