Developmental Editing

Current Turnaround:

2-5 weeks.

Contact:

micaskole |at| gmail |dot| com

Mission Statement:

Keep moving forward. As an editor, my #1 goal is to make your book the best it can be… and my #2 goal is to help you grow as an author. Taking a book from rough draft to final version is a transformative process not only for the story itself, but for the person who created it. It is a journey of tough love, and my editing style recognizes that. While I do aim to address the grammar, structure, and story of your book, I also look deeper, to gauge what you as an author could most benefit from learning. In short, I dole out the constructive criticism your mom’s afraid to give you. 

Therefore, keep in mind that my criticism – though always meant to be constructive – is also, on occasion, very frank (it’s in the name!). I love to tell you what I like as well as what I don’t like, but my feedback is generally straightforward and blunt, and it is not for everyone. But if you work with me, you will come out the other end a new and better author; and not only this book, but all your future books, will benefit from that.

Services

Services are prepaid. All payments and deposits are FULLY REFUNDABLE up until the paid work is completed–no questions asked. My prices are very competitive. This is not because I am inexperienced or low-quality (eg “you get what you pay for”), but because I feel that all authors–regardless of financial situation–should be able to afford quality developmental feedback.

Query Critiques: $5 per pass. Turnaround is one week.

Synopsis Critiques: $20 per pass. Turnaround is one week.

Developmental Analysis:  This service is $0.007 per word* (about $7 per 1000 words). You will receive a Developmental Analysis on the work, but no direct comments or changes to the work itself. A Developmental Analysis covers any noticeable issues with the work, from plot structure to character development to “show versus tell,” all the way down to any obvious grammar problems.  Recommended for: less-polished drafts, first-time authors, or for writers who have never had a significant critique partner before. Turnaround is usually a month or less.

Deluxe Developmental Analysis (Recommended):  This service is $0.009 per word* (about $9 per 1000 words). You will receive a Developmental Analysis with inline developmental comments. This service does not include line editing (aside from some cuts). Inline comments cover developmental problems that can include plot holes, reader responses, general confusion, and more; this allows for a more focused revision. Recommended for: polished drafts that have already seen beta feedback; as a budget version of a line edit; or for books that are too long and need a focus on cutting word count. Turnaround is usually a month or less.

Line Edit or Short Story Editing:  The cost is $0.013 per word* (about $13 per 1000 words). Minimum $20. This service includes direct line edits (in the form of tracked changes and comments). This means different things depending on the state of the manuscript and the writing style of the author, but it can include any of the following: suggested cuts, direct rearrangement of text, suggested inputs for transitions and character actions, line-by-line notes and feedback, suggested changes for flow and other writing elements, developmental commentary, unrealistic dialogue, and so on. Recommended for: manuscripts intended for indie or self-publishing, or for the first few chapters of a manuscript considered ready for querying. Turnaround is usually 4-6 weeks. You can add a Developmental Analysis to this service for $75.

*Developmental Analysis for AI-Generated Work: A fee of $0.001 per word will be charged upfront for AI-generated work (minimum $50), and line editing is not available for AI-generated work. This fee will be charged upfront at the editor’s discretion. It will not be a surprise fee.

• 

• 

• 

Packages

Query Package: $150. Ready to query? I’ll line edit the query, synopsis, and first 10,000 words (about 25 pages). This includes a Developmental Analysis of the first 10,000 words.

Trial Package: $180. Looking to test-drive the different services before committing? My trial package is a 20,000-word submission, with the following: your first 5,000 words line edited, followed by the next  5,000 words as a Deluxe, and the remaining 10,000 words returned with the Developmental Analysis only. (The Developmental Analysis will cover the entire submission.) Upon receipt, you can decide which service you might like to progress with, if at all.

Customized Package: All of my services are a la carte, and can be mixed and matched. If you’re looking for something more bespoke, just ask! There is no extra cost for customization.

Success Stories

These are listed in order of occurrence, give or take. See my testimonials here.

• 

• 

• 

Qualifications

• Professional Fantasy Author (This is my day job. It is under a pseudonym.)
• Professional Fantasy Ghostwriter
• Publications and accolades
  • SFWA Member (Pending)
  • Panelist at Chicon 2022 (World Science Fiction Convention, 5 Panels)
  • Writers of the Future Winner (See my acceptance speech here.)
    • Includes attendance at the exclusive workshop, where I learned directly from Orson Scott Card, Tim Powers, David Farland, and others.
    • Includes publication in Volume 35, which was a bestseller in four Amazon categories.
  • Best of Galaxy’s Edge Anthology (Forthcoming)
  • Galaxy’s Edge Magazine, 4 Publications January 2021 | September 2021 | January 2022 | July 2022 |
  • Second Place: Sapiens Plurum Short Fiction Contest 2018
  • Second Place: True North Short Story Contest 2018
  • Publication in the Resurrection Trust anthology by Retreat West Press
• Internship with Speilburg Literary Agency
  • Query slush reader
  • Blogger for the agency
  • Manuscript reporting
• Bachelor’s degree (with honors) in the English Language from Michigan State University
  • Concentration in Creative Writing
• Former Owner of the @writevent Twitter account (24k+ curated author/reader followers)
• Minor publications and accolades
  • Winner: Reedsy Short Story Contest
  • x2 First Place: Life of Writers Short Story Contest
  • Shortlisted: Center Field of Gravity (2020)
  • Second Place: Life of Writers Short Story Contest
  • Honorable Mention: Speculative Literature Foundation’s 2017 Working Class Writer’s Grant
  • Top 25: Ecostory Green Stories Contest 2018
  • Shortlisted: James White Award 2019 (Longlisted in 2018)
  • Invited to present at the Utah League of Writers Conference
  • Seven full personal manuscript requests from agents 
  • Finalist in Pitch Madness 2017
• Procedural writing for Underground Printing
• Best Writing Website awards from:
  • Reedsy
  • The Write Life
  • Booksie

• 

• 

• 

Genres

I’m happy to critique queries, novels, and stories in most genres or age categories, but I have the most experience with speculative fiction (fantasy, science fiction, etc.) in the YA and adult age categories. I am also knowledgeable in erotic fiction for both men and women, and I am open to LGBT+ and most other subjects, as long as they are not an attack on someone else. I am not qualified to edit nonfiction (excepting creative nonfiction), Westerns, screenplays, or picture books. This limitation includes queries. However, I can make referrals to other editors that might better meet your needs.

Let’s Do This!

Please reach out at micaskole |-at-| gmail to discuss your project!