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Write From the Start

Work with the Writer's Writer

The simplest way to explain why and how I can help you with your writing is the phrase, "Been there, done that."

I say that not to sound egotistical but because I know that writing is as much a craft as it is an art. To become a competent (never mind excellent) writer requires not only a good grasp of how the language works but how it works in your industry as well.  The language used to write a murder mystery, for example, is very different from what's required to produce a publishable scientific paper. 

 

Then there's the inescapable fact that good writing requires time, patience, and a willingness to accept constructive criticism. There's a reason why the forwards of most books are filled with the names of friends, family, editors, subject matter experts, assistants, and other authors. For all that writers spend a lot of time in what appears to be solitary confinement, the truth is they are never alone. They have a whole army of helpers dedicated to making their work the best it can be.

 

That's where someone like me comes in. In my more than 20 years of experience as a writer, I've tackled everything from books, essays, speeches, syndicated columns, web copy, blogs, ad copy, SM campaigns, presentations, and freelance features for publications such as Backpacker, House Beautiful, Cooking Light, and Mother Earth News. As an editor, I've worked on textbooks, online classes, memoirs, children's books, magazines, scientific papers, and many kinds of novels.  In other words, I've put in the time with both words and writers to know what I am doing. Regardless of the project, chances are good that I've been there, done that, and can help you get your work into publishable shape. 

SEE MY PORTFOLIO: https://bit.ly/3d6vtf0

WHAT I CAN DO

  • Developmental Edits - Read your manuscript, identify areas that need work, and make suggestions for improvement.

  • One-on-one Coaching - I can help you define and refine your writing goals and come up with a plan to achieve them.

  • Help you craft and refine pitches and queries for agents, magazines, newspapers, newsletters, and online publications (yes they're all different).

  • Suggest ways to get the word out on digital platforms and social media.

  • Point you in the direction of other professionals who can do what I don't do.

WHAT I CAN'T DO

  • I am not an agent and don't have the names of agents who are accepting manuscripts. I can help you learn how to find and approach them.

  • Final copy edits - you will need an eagle-eyed, grammar-obsessed editor for this. I can recommend some.

  • Layout for self-published books. I can recommend people who specialize in this.

  • Illustrations. I can recommend some good illustrators.

COSTS

$65 per hour with a minimum of four hours prepaid.

Questions? 
Email JenaBall@CritterKin.com

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