Coaching and Editing Services
When you have a coach, you’re not
alone anymore, procrastinating, spinning, wondering how to
get your writing done and whether it's any good. Instead,
we work together,
and
you will
feel encouraged,
confident and energized by your progress.
Working with me means your chance of success increases. That’s
because as an editor, I have been on the receiving end of
writing
submissions for decades. I know what other editors want to
see when they look at your work. And based on years of working with
writers, I will use my skills to help you crystalize and focus
your ideas, improve your craft, and, if appropriate, figure
out what makes your project salable. While other kinds
of editors concentrate on crafting
sentences
and fixing grammar, my specialty is understanding the big picture
of how your article or book will succeed in the publishing
world.
I've also worked with people who want to self-publish.
I help them evaluate the pros and cons, find resources, and edit
their work.
"I
hired Dianne to help me find a traditional publisher
for my self-published books. She gave me excellent suggestions
to make my query letter stand out. She also researched
a list of literary agents who would have the most interest
in my subject. I felt more confident immediately."
-- Patricia Noel Drain, Author
and Speaker, Phoenix, AZ |
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My success depends entirely on yours. You'll find I am a resourceful
and strategic asset, and an encouraging editor, helping you
to see the beauty and strengths of your
own work.
Help with
a non-fiction book proposal
Many of the people I work with want to
write a non-fiction book. It could be their first or tenth.
Non-fiction requires writing a book
proposal.
A book proposal is like a sales pitch. It tells the agent or
publisher why they should be interested in your book, and
sells the idea.
You and I will work together on focusing your book, ensuring that
the idea is exciting and sellable. You will write each part of
the proposal with my guidance. I provide ideas, resources and
additional information as appropriate. Once you have written a
draft of a section, I'll edit it and give you suggestions on how
to improve it. It might take a few passes until we get it right.
Eventually I will make direct edits to your work, specifically
to improving your writing, structure and focus.
When the proposal is complete, I edit it again, ensuring
it is consistent, flows properly and is exciting enough to
send
to an agent or publisher. You will learn how to approach an
editor or agent for maximum success. I have connections
to agents, and can make introductions.
"Perhaps
desperation was inspiration. I had no clue and
no connections.You bridged that gap. Hiring
you gave finality to my project, justification,
and confimation.You made it real. With you, I
went from trying to doing. Otherwise,
the book and proposal would still be floating
out there
in my mental soup."
--Melissa Guerra,
McAllen, TX, Dishes of the Wild Horse Desert,
Wiley, 2006
"I got out three query letters today and already have answers from two who want to see the proposal. One agent replied about 2 minutes after I hit the send button! You ROCK! "
-- Judy Barnes Baker, Mt. Vernon, WA, Carb Wars, 2007
"Working with you has been very helpful. I have very much appreciated your focus, your insights, your clear vision. Your suggestions have helped me to see what does need to be done next on this proposal."
-- Anitra Kitts, Santa Rosa, CA
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Book doctoring and
editing
As a veteran editor, I evaluate manuscripts,
sample chapters or essays. As a developmental editor, I look
at the pieces as a whole and make written comments about structure,
style, content, and characters, plus specific comments
on the
page.
I edit manuscripts and other writing.
I untangle sentences, check spelling and grammar, move
paragraphs around, and other line edits. I work on memoir, essays and all
kinds of non-fiction. I have evaluated fiction, and I specialize
in editing recipes.
it
their work.
"Dianne's assistance in evaluating my manuscript was invaluable. She offered not only detailed and practical advice, but also provided the encouragement that is of such importance for the confidence of a first time author. Her suggestions are going to result in a better book. Thanks Dianne!"
-- Roger Franklin, New South Wales, Australia |
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Coaching
for freelance writing, or starting a blog
You might be
a published writer who wants to write for more successful,
bigger publications. I can help you take the next step. Or
perhaps you've never written for a publication before.
Either
way, we'll figure out which
publications would be most likely to publish your work, find
the right story idea, and I'll show you how to write an irresistible
query letter. I've also helped people work on stories once
they
get assignments.
Some people want to start a blog as a way
to find out what they'd like to write about. Through exercises
and
conversations,
you'll start writing a collection of posts that will form
the beginnings of a rewarding blog. Others have been blogging for a while but want more readership or a change. I have helped many writers in both categories begin or refine their blogs.
"During the few months I have worked with Dianne, she has been respectful and encouraging, yet realistic and firm. She listened to my vision and gave me milestones (with due dates) to help me accomplish my goal. First, she helped me set up a new blog with a much tighter focus than the one I had previously. Then she gave me a gentle push to aim for a bigger magazine for my pieces. We worked on one story idea and query letter. When it was accepted, she helped me polish my essay -- and the editor only changed one word. That was the start I needed and now I'm writing my tenth food article for Oakland magazine.”
--Anna Mindess,
Oakland, CA, East Bay Ethnic Eats
"Thought you'd like to know what happened with my query to the (national magazine) editor. She responded within minutes of me sending the query. She said she loved all three ideas, and would discuss with the senior editor to see where they could fit stories into their calendar. Thanks again for your help!”
--Colette Martin, author, Learning to Bake Allergen-Free
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Next step
Now that you have an idea of how we
might work together, either call me for a free consultation, or
send an e-mail describing your book idea or the type of help you'd
like. For contact information, please click
here |