When words work well
What kind of help
do you need?
Developmental editing – I will read your novel, memoir, short story, or nonfiction manuscript and recommend changes in structure and content to make your work more effective.
Copyediting (also called line editing) – I will go through your text to correct grammar, syntax, and spelling, check for consistency in naming and punctuation, and make sure your work conforms to a standard such as the Chicago Manual of Style or similar guide.
Coaching – We will work together to refine your work and move your project forward. If you're stuck, I can give suggestions or offer exercises customized for you. We'll discuss what's going well, what your work needs, and how to shape it as it progresses.
My background
In 18 years of working as a journalist, writing articles every week, while also writing my own fiction and memoir, I have accumulated a fine sense of how words work well together and what happens when they don't. I previously worked for Springer Publishing in Manhattan for seven years. I have edited memoir, fiction, non-fiction, and play scripts.
By reviewing the work of writers in critique groups and writing classes, I have been exposed to different genres and styles of writing. Again, it's all about what works. How do we communicate clearly while maintaining our unique personal style? Having had my own work critiqued has taught me how to cite the positive aspects of a piece of writing while tactfully suggesting improvements.
I graduated from Dartmouth College with a B.A. in Russian and a minor in French. The effort to communicate in foreign languages has heightened my sensitivity to the structure and usage of English.
I've also taught writing workshops, helping people tell a story with shape and arc, a balance of narration and scenes, and a carefully focused theme that will engage readers.
When words work well, what do they do?
- They convey the meaning intended by the writer, without ambiguity.
- They set up a thought process in the reader's mind, sparking understanding, emotion, and a desire to learn more.
- They create rhythms and sounds appropriate to the topic and mood.
- They transport the reader to a specific place and time and into a character's mind.
- They keep the reader reading.
But as the writer of those words, having had them living in your head, you can't tell how they'll strike a person reading them for the first time. That's why you need an editor.
You've put time, effort, and lifeblood into writing your work. You owe it to yourself and your creation to make sure it speaks your truth to readers.
The publishing business is currently in chaos, with more and more obstacles to getting work professionally published. I can't guarantee that your edited manuscript will be accepted by an agent or publisher, but together we can give your book a fighting chance. If you decide to self-publish, you'll still want your prose to be effective and professional, and I can help you get there.
Rates, Requirements, and Results
You will send me a manuscript in a Word document, double-spaced, in 12-point Times Roman font, with one-inch margins at top, bottom, left, and right.
For developmental editing, I charge $2.75/page (in the format specified above). I will write a detailed overall evaluation of your work, as well as a chapter-by-chapter analysis, in all cases noting strengths and weaknesses, plus making suggestions for improvements.
For copyediting/line editing, I charge .02 (two cents) per word, based on the total word count of your manuscript. I will make changes directly on each page, using what Microsoft Word calls "Track Changes" and OpenOffice calls "Changes" (or "Record Changes"). This process highlights my suggestions in a different color from your text. You will have to go through the file and accept or reject each of my suggestions. If you don't know how to use this simple but useful tool, you can find instructions through a Google search.
For coaching – I charge $60 per one-hour session, plus up to an hour of preparation time. If you've produced text already, you'll send it to me for review. Otherwise, we'll discuss your goals for writing. Then we'll schedule a series of one-hour sessions by videoconference (or in person, if applicable). I will spend up to an hour before each session, reading your work and planning customized writing exercises. At the end of each session, we may decide on a writing assignment for you. You'll send me the result a day or two before the following session.
Ready to get started?
Contact me at: violetsnow77 [at] gmail [dot] com
Remarks from clients:
Violet knows her stuff. She is patient and calm when things feel wild and crazy. She pushed me when I needed it and took the ball and ran with it when that's what I needed. I could not have done half as well as I did without her. Always on time or before time and offers quality work. I truly felt like we were in this together, and that's not easy to find. I literally became teary eyed when she warned me that we were almost done. Hire Violet. You will not be sorry.
- Tali Love, Confessions of Your Token Black Co-worker (non-fiction)
This is just what was needed. I had been wandering alone on it and was uncertain if any of it made sense. Important: the way you handled the situation and the form chosen made me eager to get right on to it. THANK YOU! - Robert B. Wyatt, Doghood and Paws in Play (fiction)
Each note felt so helpful, whether it was a note of critique or a note indicating that what I was trying to get across was working. It's so great to get feedback that's both high-level in scope and also back-watching and word-attentive. - Lori Stone, Shooting for Normal (memoir)
Thank you for your help. I couldn't be happier with your incredible work. This particular book has challenged me on lots of levels. - Andrew McCarron, Masks of Mullen (non-fiction)
I am thrilled Violet had the gall to take on an upstart carpenter, burdened with a pile of blowhard journals and memories, and help me mold them into a credible story. She is innovative, talented, and a pleasure to work with. – John Kilb, Aglaia and Herman (historical fiction)
It was a pleasure working with Violet Snow. She gave me an overview of the entire book, plus breakdowns of the three parts and each chapter. In each analysis she provided strengths and pointed out suggestions to make it better. She did an outstanding job. - Alice Tenuto, On My Own (memoir)
Violet knows her stuff. She is patient and calm when things feel wild and crazy. She pushed me when I needed it and took the ball and ran with it when that's what I needed. I could not have done half as well as I did without her. Always on time or before time and offers quality work. I truly felt like we were in this together, and that's not easy to find. I literally became teary eyed when she warned me that we were almost done. Hire Violet. You will not be sorry.
- Tali Love, Confessions of Your Token Black Co-worker (non-fiction)
This is just what was needed. I had been wandering alone on it and was uncertain if any of it made sense. Important: the way you handled the situation and the form chosen made me eager to get right on to it. THANK YOU! - Robert B. Wyatt, Doghood and Paws in Play (fiction)
Each note felt so helpful, whether it was a note of critique or a note indicating that what I was trying to get across was working. It's so great to get feedback that's both high-level in scope and also back-watching and word-attentive. - Lori Stone, Shooting for Normal (memoir)
Thank you for your help. I couldn't be happier with your incredible work. This particular book has challenged me on lots of levels. - Andrew McCarron, Masks of Mullen (non-fiction)
I am thrilled Violet had the gall to take on an upstart carpenter, burdened with a pile of blowhard journals and memories, and help me mold them into a credible story. She is innovative, talented, and a pleasure to work with. – John Kilb, Aglaia and Herman (historical fiction)
It was a pleasure working with Violet Snow. She gave me an overview of the entire book, plus breakdowns of the three parts and each chapter. In each analysis she provided strengths and pointed out suggestions to make it better. She did an outstanding job. - Alice Tenuto, On My Own (memoir)