One of the most daunting steps toward publication is choosing an editor. It is scary to place your hard work in the hands of a stranger. And your nervousness isn’t without good reason! Editing is not a licenced profession, which means that anyone can throw up their shingle. So, how do you know you’re getting what you’re paying for?
You really don’t. But a free story consult can alleviate some of the stress by providing a no-obligation opportunity to get to know each other, talk about the work, and decide if we are a good fit to work together.
If you’re interested in hiring me for story coaching, or to edit your short story, collection, or anthology, the story consult is the first step.
What is a story consult?
The consult is a twenty-minute virtual meeting where we delve into the fundamentals of your story and your vision for it. I explain the kind of editing or coaching required to make it competitive, what it will cost, and answer any questions you have about the editing process.
What can I expect from the meeting?
- Preparation. Before the session, I’ll have you send me your story and the answers to my manuscript assessment questions. I’ll read through your story and prepare for the session.
- Initial impressions. During the session, once we’ve introduced ourselves, I’ll share my initial impressions of your story and ask any follow-up questions about your vision for the story.
- Clear steps forward. I will lay out the service options that will best meet your needs. For each option, we’ll discuss what needs to be done, due dates, and what it will cost.
- Q & A. I’ll answer any questions you have about my feedback, the proposed project plan, and my work.
- Follow-up. After the meeting, I’ll send you an email outlining what we talked about and attach my estimate, proposed timeline, and resources. Then, I’ll leave you to decide how you’d like to proceed.
What does it cost?
The short story consult is free. It is a no obligation way for both of us to make sure that we align on the revision of your story and to assess whether we will work well together.