Editing Services

Need a business plan?  Have a novel that just won’t come together?  Need an honest opinion from somebody who doesn’t know you (as opposed to your friends, family, colleagues or critique group)?   And here’s the kicker:  at reasonable prices?

Karen provides the following services:

Manuscript critique (fiction, creative nonfiction and memoir) – A close reading of your book and a comprehensive report on how to tweak character, setting, plot, point of view, narrative style, pacing and mechanics to make your book better.  The final report is usually between 6 and 15 pages in length, depending on the manuscript.  Price varies with manuscript length also.  Let Karen know about your work (length, genre) and she’ll quote a price.  Or better yet, send your first chapter and Karen will give you a free critique.  If you find it useful, you can send the rest.

From a client: 
"Thank you so much. Your critique is wonderful – well-reasoned, detailed, and so helpful with the inclusion of examples to explain what you mean. I am very grateful to you!" — Kristin C, untitled manuscript

If Karen recommends major changes to your work, she’ll also review your work after you’ve made them – at no charge – all with an eye to making your work as polished and publishable as possible. 

Business plan – An hour-long phone interview, a small amount of research on competition and location, and a report from your bookkeeper will jumpstart a well-written, polished, engaging business plan that you can take to your lender or investors with pride.  Price varies with the size and scope of your business.  Contact Karen for a quote.

From a client: 
“Karen combined all three of my businesses in one coherent, well-structured business plan. Her research was excellent, and she made my bookkeeping data understandable to more than just bankers and accountants. Anybody who reads this plan will know exactly where I want to take my businesses, how I plan to do it, and how long it will take to get there. And her work was very reasonably priced.” — Shane Liebig, The Speed Shop/Sam’s Trailer Sales/SL Buildings

Copy edit/proofreading – Those misspellings and missing words that your mind can’t quite catch as you read your own manuscript?  Karen will find and correct them.  With her knowledge of grammar, punctuation and style, Karen will ferret out the bugs in your work that keep an agent or editor from taking a closer look.  Price varies with the length of your manuscript.  Let Karen know the subject matter and length, and she’ll quote you a price.

From a client:
"I have an eye for detail, but Karen caught those pesky homophones that slipped past spell check and critique partners. Her suggestions saved me from editorial embarrassment and sharpened my manuscript to publishable quality." — Patty Griffin, The Other Side