Katie's Writing Notes

DO YOU NEED A WRITING CONSULTANT?

Perhaps you have a book manuscript (a short e-book, a longer book for electronic or print publication, a manuscript to be submitted to a publisher) that you’re not quite sure about.  You want an honest evaluation of its strengths and weaknesses, along with recommendations to make it better.

Perhaps you have a website whose content you aren’t sure about and would like an honest appraisal of its merits and some recommendations to make it better.

I can help you with all of these situations.

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WHAT IS A WRITING CONSULTANT?

A Writing Consultant is a professional, published, experienced writer/editor who is hired to:

* solve a specific problem, in this case, to evaluate/critique a manuscript or screenplay, providing recommendations to make it better and more marketable,

* evaluate and critique a book proposal that will be sent to publishers in the hopes that one of them will publish the proposed book,

* conduct a detailed revision/editing job on the manuscript itself, identifying each and every change that needs to be made by the writer (the client gets to input the changes on their own computer system),

* be involved with the writer’s project for a short time, only as long as it takes to solve a specific problem.

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WORKING PROCESS

1. You contact me about my services by email (katieploeger@gmail.com).  I’ll reply with my response, whether I’m comfortable with your topic and the expected timing for delivery, given the amount of time I have available for new clients.

2. If you agree, you send in the best possible version of the manuscript with a list of questions or concerns you have about the writing, and your payment.

3. I will read the manuscript at least twice, write on the manuscript (so send a copy) and develop my Analysis letter.  Once I am think more about your project and am satisfied with my critique, I’ll return the manuscript and analysis letter to you via U.S.P.S. (priority envelope) or International Priority Envelope.

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR FORMATTING MANUSCRIPTS

Manuscripts consist of the following:

* Use manuscript format (double space, paragraphs indented ½ inch), with each chapter on a new page; front and back matter pages are optional, but do send the table of contents.

* Or use block style (single spaced, blank line between paragraphs), with each chapter on a new page; front and back matter pages are optional, but do send the table of contents.

* Use a readable font (Times Roman 12 Point or Arial 12 point), depending on your intended publishing route (Times for printed books; Arial for e-books)

* Don’t overly use color (except for headers and live links in blue).  Ink should be black (not gray or brown).  Note in your initial comments if the links are live and can be checked, or whether you even want them checked.

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FEE STRUCTURE

* Nonfiction Book Manuscripts of any length and topic: evaluation and critique of the manuscript.

You will receive back a marked up manuscript (so send only a copy) with comments, questions, and suggested changes.

You will also receive a detailed analysis letter, generally 10 – 20 pages, describing overall positives and problems, along with an analysis of each chapter, possibly down to each line as needed.

The evaluation will cover the quality of topic coverage for the intended audience, organization and structure, writing quality changes (grammar and usage errors will be noted generally in the letter, not corrected on the manuscript), formatting issues, front and back matter issues, and other issues of concern.

Client sends: An unbound copy of the manuscript with table of contents (if not sending all front matter), a list of questions and concerns about the book, and a description of the intended audience (as detailed as possible).

Client receives back: Marked up manuscript and detailed analysis letter

Fee: $10 per page (minimum of $100 for up to 10 pages)

Timing: It usually takes a month or so + shipping time (usually sent Priority Flat Rate Envelope through the US Postal Service)

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EXPERIENCE WITH CONSULTING CLIENTS

I have worked with the following clients on their writing projects:

* nonfiction writers on their book projects

* children’s writers on their picture books

* self-publishers on their book projects

* graduate students on a master’s thesis

* professors on textbooks accepted by a publisher

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WHAT YOU WON’T RECEIVE

You won’t get any phone or email advice other than the notes on the manuscript and the contents of my analysis letter.  Consulting services are cheaper than coaching, but then you get much less.