Right. So I'm a former in-house Harlequin editor and recipient of the RWA's Best Editor award, which isn't to say I won't edit a literary novel. Hey, I've acquired short fiction by Patrick DeWitt. (While on a contract position for McGraw-Hill Ryerson.) In fact, I've evaluated and edited manuscripts across all genres for publishing companies, book packagers, and aspiring and published writers. I'm also the published author of two Harlequin novels and two Penguin young adult novels. The latter were optioned for film and television by Fresh Entertainment, producers of the hit tween cartoons 6teen and Total Drama Island. And I've taught writing at George Brown College (romance) and Centennial College (children's). I am currently working on a short story collection. For information on periodic editing service sales and upcoming book releases, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter at http://bevkatzrosenbaum.com/.
A BKR critique/developmental edit/substantive edit gives you a detailed evaluation of your manuscript, focusing on substantive elements such as plot, structure, character, conflict, voice and theme. No worries, I also suggest methods of fixing said problems. A multi-page report is sent via e-mail within two to four weeks of manuscript receipt. There's no need to schedule with me in advance. The following charges apply (Canadians, please add 13% HST; Americans, please pay in US funds):
Partial manuscripts (three chapters) or short stories: $150.00
Novellas up to 30,000 words: $175.00
Complete manuscripts up to 70,000 words: $250.00
Complete manuscripts between 70,000 words and 100,000 words: $350.00
Complete manuscripts between 100,000 words and 120,000 words: $450.00
Evaluation of revised material at half the original fee (there is no time limit on this offer)
You can include a query letter and/or a synopsis (under five pages) and/or a blurb with your submission at no extra charge. Yes, I'm that nice. E-mail the whole kit and kaboodle to bevrosenbaum@yahoo.ca and send your payment via PayPal, citing that same e-mail address. I'll have to confirm payment before reading. (No offense.) At that point, I'll send you an invoice marked 'Paid in full'. Your manuscript must be submitted in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx files only, please) as an attachment, and your query letter and/or synopsis and/or blurb have to be sent at the same time as your manuscript, or I will become very, very confused. And for God's sake, please double space your manuscripts and number your pages.
Please note that I do not offer sample edits, due to the level of my experience, my low fees, my busy schedule, and the fact that sample edits lend themselves more to copy edits than substantive edits.
In addition to adult fiction, I edit middle grade and young adult fiction. For picture books, early chapter books, and children's non-fiction, I highly recommend
I can recommend the following copy editors when you are ready (but writers, please don't make the mistake of thinking you just need a 'cleanup' without doing the important big-picture work beforehand): , , , and .
"So grateful for your expert editorial skills, encouragement, and quick turnaround. Highly recommend!"
-Lindy DeKoven, former NBC VP and author of Primetime Princess (Amazon, women's fiction)
"Bev, you have an uncanny knack for seeing exactly what a manuscript needs!"
-Kimberley Griffiths Little, author of Secret Rites of the Goddess (Scholastic, young adult)
"Bev, the manuscripts you edited for me just sold! A big thanks to you for all your fantastic suggestions!"
-Sarah Castille, New York Times/USA Today bestselling author of In Your Corner (Sourcebooks, romance)