Indie Editing for Indie Authors
Story Taming is a unique developmental editing service designed for indie authors on a budget by an indie author on a budget. When you drop your manuscript off at my Story Corral, both your heart and your wallet can rest easy knowing you’ve left your book in the hands of someone who understands–not just the art and craft of telling a good story, but the hopes and dreams of an author taking the reins of their own career.
When you purchase your annual Story Taming membership, you become part of a small stable of authors whose projects receive personalized editorial attention as needed throughout the year. I work with authors at any stage of their career, and many have gone on to earn five star reviews and best-seller status on Amazon.
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The Details
Story Taming focuses on the key elements of compelling storytelling: plot, pacing, characters, dialogue, setting, theme, and structure. Light line editing is included as needed, insofar as the language affects the experience of the story. Although an effort is always made to catch glaring errors in spelling and grammar, Story Taming is not a proofreading service, and I strongly encourage my clients to also hire a specialist in that field (or at least your cousin the English teacher.)
Once a story enters my Story Corral, I will read it carefully, using Microsoft Word to fill your margins with questions, concerns, and compliments. The goal of this process is to give you a glimpse into how a reader will experience your story. Based on these notes, I will offer suggestions and solutions based on the story I believe you are trying to tell. My philosophy is that an author who understands the importance of an editor is an author who already has the answers they’re looking for–they just need another pair of eyes to see them.
If you’re interested in joining the growing (but limited!) ranks of indie authors using Story Taming for their editorial needs, keep reading to learn more about the benefits and packages available to you.
The Benefits
- No one can guarantee publishing success (and don’t trust anyone who tries), but I can guarantee that Story Taming will help you hone your craft and become the best writer you can be.
- Submit your work in complete drafts or send in sections as you go. Whatever works best for YOU.
- Year-round e-mail support. My inbox is always open for questions.
- Reasonable turn-around times of 3-5 weeks depending on manuscript length.
The Packages
The Trail Ride – $ 150
Up to 75,000 words.
Ideal for:
- Young Adult/Children’s authors.
The Rodeo – $300
Up to 150,000 words.
Ideal for:
- Science Fiction/Fantasy authors
- Writers who want to re-submit a manuscript after revision.
The Racetrack – $575
As many words as you can write in a year, champ.
Ideal for:
- Series writers.
- Writers who want to re-submit as many revisions of as many manuscripts as they can churn out.
The Ghost Rider – Inquire for Quote
Instead of returning your manuscript with notes, I do all the revision work for you and return a publishable draft for your approval. Spaces are limited so schedule your Ghost Ride TODAY.
Ideal for:
- High-volume authors with tight deadlines.
The Rules
Memberships last one year from receipt of first pages and can be upgraded at any time by paying the balance between your current package and the desired package. An upgrade does NOT extend your membership past the original expiration date.
Memberships provide almost on-demand editing. There may be times when my schedule allows me to start a manuscript immediately, but for best results, I ask that my clients contact me at least two weeks in advance before sending their manuscript.
Memberships are non-refundable so please be absolutely certain you’re going to utilize this service in the next twelve months before you sign up. In the event that you are absolutely unable to use your Story Taming membership personally, you may transfer it to a friend or donate it so that I can offer a free membership to a low-income writer.
Memberships are limited, like my time, and therefore selective. A productive author-editor relationship should be one of shared ideals so that fundamental philosophical differences do not interfere with the creative process. I reserve the right to decline membership to anyone whose work expresses ideals I would not want my name aligned with.