Proofreading:

• I will read every word of your manuscript and fix only spelling, typos, problems with punctuation and formatting for you.
• Cost $1.50/page (standard manuscript format of 250-300 words/page)

Manuscript assessment:

• will outline your story’s strengths and weaknesses
• point out problems with plot, theme, syntax, grammar
• give ideas for deepening characters
• suggest new subplots
• provide thoughts on making dialogue more natural
• Cost: $2.00 per page (standard manuscript format of 250-300 words/page)

Manuscript development: You’ve written the beginning of your story, you might even know the ending, but just can’t seem to work through the middle. I will read your synopsis and:

• help you develop your plot, characters and theme so you can finish your story.
• make suggestions for possible new scenes
• I make no structural comments or changes on what you provide. This service is only to help finish what you’ve already done.

• Cost: $22.00/hour. All time is carefully documented and provided to you. Most manuscripts take no more than 3-4 hours

Formatting:

• I will take your completed manuscript and put it into shape for submission to editor’s and publishers, with headers and footers, chapter breaks, correct fonts and paragraph indents.
• I will return to you as a Word document that you may forward or print.
• Cost: $0.25/page.

Editing: This service combines all of the above. I will go over every word of your completed manuscript and work one-on-one with you to correct:

• story structure--scene sequel development, showing vs. telling, point of view, pacing, establishing voice, and presenting exposition.
• plot development--narrative vs. dialogue, adding subplots, finding your theme.
• character development--internal monologue, creating and exhibiting emotion, writing realistic dialogue.
• fine tuning--eliminating overwriting, adding detail, sensory images, writing compelling openings, punctuation and spelling
• formatting for submission

You are free to rework your manuscript however you choose. There is no limit to our association during this phase; you may contact me every day if you wish.

• Cost is $2.75/page (standard manuscript format of 250-300 words/page).

Ghostwriting: I normally take on only one ghosting project per year. Ghostwriting prices are developed on an individual basis, but begin at $10,000. Please e-mail me for my telephone number, so we can discuss your ideas.

Last Updated: 16 September 2008 Cindy’s author & “Characters” web site

Designer/Webmaster: ©2003-2008 Cindy Davis