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What you can expect from my proofreading services

25/8/2019

You can see above a screenshot of a sample edit. The tracked changes show up in red, with any comments in the margin.

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editing_sample.doc
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You can download the .doc file above and open it in Word or Pages on your Mac. Have a practise! By clicking the Review tab in Word (as in the picture above) you can accept or reject the changes one-by-one, or you can accept all changes to the document with one click. Click on the 'Accept' button, which is just right of centre in the Review tab. To accept all changes, click the arrow just below the word 'Accept' and then click 'Accept all changes in Document'.

Make sure the 'track changes' button (dead centre in the Review tab, see above) is NOT pressed/selected. If it is, everything you type will come up underlined red.

Notice the vertical lines to the left of certain paragraphs. These inform you that changes have been made to those lines of text, just so you don't miss anything.

I charge £4 per 1,000 words for a proofread (minimum charge £4). Your edited document will appear with tracked changes like the picture above. Please contact me if interested!

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Why I Offer Proofreads, Not Line Edits

22/8/2019

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There are lots of freelance editors out there. Proofreaders, copy-editors, line-editors... so much choice! Who should you go with?

Well, what's the difference?

Proofreaders analyse your manuscript for spelling, punctuation, grammar and syntax mistakes.
Copy-editors address all those errors, but also check your facts (very important for non-fiction) and consistency.
Line-editors address all of the above, but also your writing style, voice, and your story as a whole.

The other obvious concern is cost. Proofreaders usually charge between £5-8 per 1,000 words (I charge £4), copy-editors between £8-11 and line-editors from £12+. There are a couple of reasons for this. Line-editing takes longer than copy-editing, which takes longer than proofreading, but they also requires a different set of skills.

So which type of editor is right for you?

If you are thinking of submitting to literary agents (and I would absolutely recommend you do this before considering self-publishing) I do NOT think you need to pay for a line edit.

Why?

Because if you do land an agent they will then line edit your manuscript. And if they manage to sell your book to a publisher, the publishing house will then line edit it again.

Every editor has their preferred style. One editor might like your voice, or a certain character, or a plot twist, whilst another might not. One editor might think your story needs more pace, another might not.

The same with readers. Some readers will like your book. Some will not, no matter what you do to it. If you change it to suit a certain editor, the outcome stays the same: some readers will like your book, and some will not.

Changing any aspect of your story or your style to suit a specific editor is only worth doing if you know it will improve your chances of success.

If the line-editor combing through your manuscript is your agent, and you've done your research and you know they are successful in selling books to publishers, you can be confident they will add value. Also, your agent will do this for free. Your agent will know which publishers they intend to pitch to and will know (should know) what kind of stories and styles they buy.

If you do have the money to pay for a line edit and think that's the way to go, you want to find a line-editor who has a good track record helping authors get picked up by agents. Don't just look for qualifications. Experience is what matters.

Your writing style and your voice need to come from you. They cannot be outsourced. But how do you find your voice?

Write a lot. Write a lot and read a lot. It will come. There is no substitute for practise.

So. You've decided against a line edit. Why would you want a proofread?

It doesn't seem to matter how often you read through your manuscript, writers always seem to miss something. Maybe it's the wood for the trees.

Putting your finished manuscript aside for a few weeks before coming back to it does seem to help. But sometimes you need someone else's fresh eyes. I can catch those grammar slips we all miss from time to time. Point out the odd awkward phrase or that paragraph that doesn't quite make sense.

I won't tell you if I think a character is weak, or the piece needs restructuring, or it needs more pace. Why? Because that's all subjective, and I don't want to force my preferences on your manuscript. Other readers have different preferences.

So I won't tell you to change your story. But I will help you improve your writing. Grammar is not subjective. Agents will reject anything with poor grammar - don't let it spoil your chances! If you think you have a great book but know grammar is not your strong point, drop me an email. I can help.

Cost of my proofreading service is £4 per 1,000 words. I also offer a fiction submission package for £40 (cover letter, synopsis and first 10,000 words). More information here.

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10 Publishers Accepting Unagented Submissions

18/8/2019

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Most publishers require you to submit through a literary agent. That means, of course, you need to land a literary agent. We all know how hard that is. There are, however, a small number of independent publishers who do accept unagented submissions. Consider these guys.

HEAD OF ZEUS
HoZ won independent publisher of the year 2017, and it’s easy to see why. They publish genre fiction, children’s books and narrative non-fiction, including authors such as C. J. Box and Graham Masterton. They do accept unsolicited submissions via a submissions portal, but when it gets very busy they temporarily close. Check by periodically. Keep in mind it can take many months to get a reply. I waited six. This is their current website: http://headofzeus.com/ but they will be updating it shortly to this: https://uat.headofzeus.com/home?_ga=2.135399476.466581387.1566109317-1495559976.1561452066

JOFFE BOOKS
One of the UK’s leading independent publishers of crime, thriller and mystery fiction, Joffe Books publishes Helen H. Durrant, Joy Ellis and Faith Martin amongst others. They accept submissions from unagented authors – even if you’ve self published your book (a lot of publishers don’t).

Check out their submission guidelines here: http://www.joffebooks.com/submissions

BLACK AND WHITE
An independent publisher based in Scotland. They publish most genres of fiction and some non-fiction. Their children’s book imprint Itchy Coo sounds like thrush. Submissions are via a contact form, and they can take up to six months to make a decision.

http://blackandwhitepublishing.com/submissions

BLOODHOUND BOOKS
A leading independent publisher of crime, thriller and mystery fiction, authors include the bestselling Rob Sinclair and Betsy Reavley. Submissions close temporarily if they’re too busy. Your MS should be at least 60,000 words, and they aim to respond within four weeks.

https://www.bloodhoundbooks.com/submissions

POLIS BOOKS
Polis Books is currently accepting submissions of thrillers, women’s and genre fiction and non-fiction in the areas of humour, pop culture and true crime. They aim to make a decision in 12 weeks.

http://www.polisbooks.com/submissions/

CROOKED LANE
Founded in 2014, Crooked Lane Books publishes crime, thriller and mystery fiction. They will reply within two weeks if they’re interested in your submission.

http://www.crookedlanebooks.com/contact/

SEVENTH STREET BOOKS
A publisher of thrillers and mystery fiction, Seventh Street Books publishes the award-winning Lori Rader-Day and Allen Eskens. Submit the full MS and a three-paragraph synopsis.

https://www.seventhstreetbooks.com/submission-guidelines/

VERVE BOOKS
A small digital publisher of crime, thriller and commercial fiction. Submissions are via contact form, and they aim to reply within three months.

http://www.vervebooks.co.uk/submit.php

SAPERE BOOKS
A digital publisher looking for Crime Fiction, Mysteries, Thrillers, Women’s Fiction, Romantic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Action and Adventure (Military, Naval and Aviation Fiction) and History.

https://saperebooks.com/about/submissions/

KENSINGTON PUBLISHING
One of the top independent publishers in the United States, Kensington Publishing accepts submissions in all genres except children’s, YA and poetry. As per usual US guidelines, only submit a query in the first instance, no manuscript. They will reply within three months if interested.

https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/page.aspx/submissions

Best of luck with your submissions! As a thriller writer myself, I know what a daunting, frustrating, infuriating task submitting to publishers and agents is. Your initial submission, which usually consists of a cover letter, synopsis and sample chapters, needs to be perfect. Why not check out my proofreading services? £40 for a proofread of your cover letter, synopsis and first 10,000 words of your MS.

Also, be sure to check out my highly rated thrillers, MEMORIES UNSPEAKABLE and SHARK BAIT! SHARK BAIT was a finalist in A.M. Heath's Criminal Lines Competition 2015 and reached the acquisition boards of both Orion and Harlequin Harper Collins.

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What you can expect from my proofreading services

Why I Offer Proofreads, Not Line Edits

10 Publishers Accepting Unagented Submissions

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