The Writer's High®––providing uplifting editing and writing services for writers at all stages of their creative journeys
The Atlanta Writers Conference is coming up November 3–4, 2023, and I'm honored to once again have been selected to provide pre-conference edits for this prestigious and professional conference. If you haven't registered, don't wait!
Welcome
Welcome to the Writer’s High, your professional source for uplifting editorial services to elevate your writing! I specialize in developmental and line editing for memoir, narrative nonfiction (self-help, business, etc.), mystery, speculative fiction, romance, and historical fiction.
Have you just completed a manuscript? If so, congratulations! I hope you’re celebrating because that’s a tremendous accomplishment.
How Editing Benefits You, the Author
If you’re new to editing, let's spend a few minutes on the basics. I’ve often thought that writing a manuscript is somewhat like building a speculative or “spec” house—a house that you want someone to purchase. You’ve decided on the style of home you want to build (genre), in the location you prefer (setting); you’ve poured a foundation, added walls, rafters, and a roof (narrative arc, plot/plot points), and even decorated your rooms (characters/character arcs). You’ve built this beautiful house from concept to creation, and now you’re ready to sell. You need a good real estate agent to help you attract buyers. So you ask your friends to recommend agents (editors), and you narrow them down to the one you connect with. The agent tours every corner of the home (reviews the full manuscript), and lets you know all the best aspects of the home you’ve built—maybe it’s well-constructed with lovely paint colors, beautiful landscaping, and the rooms are tasteful and exactly what the buyers for that type of home are seeking. She’ll also let you know if some of the paint colors and décor are a little too “taste-specific,” which means your house is unlikely to appeal to your intended buyers. Or maybe she sees a crack running up a wall or two and she realizes your new home isn’t structurally sound.
The agent’s observations may or may not be quite what you expected, or hoped, to hear. But then you realize that your agent wants the same thing you do—she wants you to attract buyers to the house you want to sell. Her role is to guide you, with respect and courtesy, and let you know what those buyers expect and offer recommendations to attract them. Now, it’s not her job to tear down your house and build what she wants. That’s the type of agent you’ll want to avoid. But it is her job to gently remind you that this is a spec house that you want to sell. However, and this is the most important part, it’s your decision to implement her recommendations. (If you’re wondering if I’m also a real estate agent, the answer is no, although I do love looking at houses!)
Understanding What Editing Service Is Needed and What's Included
Editing definitions and what’s included in each type of editing can vary from editor to editor, so it’s important that your editor provides clear definitions of her terms and scope for each project. Ideally, these will be spelled out in a contract or letter of agreement, which protects you and the editor. The primary editorial services I offer are:
For more information about what's included in my services, please visit my Editing & Writing Services page.
Welcome to the Writer’s High, your professional source for uplifting editorial services to elevate your writing! I specialize in developmental and line editing for memoir, narrative nonfiction (self-help, business, etc.), mystery, speculative fiction, romance, and historical fiction.
Have you just completed a manuscript? If so, congratulations! I hope you’re celebrating because that’s a tremendous accomplishment.
How Editing Benefits You, the Author
If you’re new to editing, let's spend a few minutes on the basics. I’ve often thought that writing a manuscript is somewhat like building a speculative or “spec” house—a house that you want someone to purchase. You’ve decided on the style of home you want to build (genre), in the location you prefer (setting); you’ve poured a foundation, added walls, rafters, and a roof (narrative arc, plot/plot points), and even decorated your rooms (characters/character arcs). You’ve built this beautiful house from concept to creation, and now you’re ready to sell. You need a good real estate agent to help you attract buyers. So you ask your friends to recommend agents (editors), and you narrow them down to the one you connect with. The agent tours every corner of the home (reviews the full manuscript), and lets you know all the best aspects of the home you’ve built—maybe it’s well-constructed with lovely paint colors, beautiful landscaping, and the rooms are tasteful and exactly what the buyers for that type of home are seeking. She’ll also let you know if some of the paint colors and décor are a little too “taste-specific,” which means your house is unlikely to appeal to your intended buyers. Or maybe she sees a crack running up a wall or two and she realizes your new home isn’t structurally sound.
The agent’s observations may or may not be quite what you expected, or hoped, to hear. But then you realize that your agent wants the same thing you do—she wants you to attract buyers to the house you want to sell. Her role is to guide you, with respect and courtesy, and let you know what those buyers expect and offer recommendations to attract them. Now, it’s not her job to tear down your house and build what she wants. That’s the type of agent you’ll want to avoid. But it is her job to gently remind you that this is a spec house that you want to sell. However, and this is the most important part, it’s your decision to implement her recommendations. (If you’re wondering if I’m also a real estate agent, the answer is no, although I do love looking at houses!)
Understanding What Editing Service Is Needed and What's Included
Editing definitions and what’s included in each type of editing can vary from editor to editor, so it’s important that your editor provides clear definitions of her terms and scope for each project. Ideally, these will be spelled out in a contract or letter of agreement, which protects you and the editor. The primary editorial services I offer are:
For more information about what's included in my services, please visit my Editing & Writing Services page.
The Writer's High Retreat is on hiatus until the Covid-19 pandemic is under control. In the meantime, please enjoy this video from our 2018 retreat.
What retreat guests are saying... "Like the standing ovation showed… people who articulated something important that not all writers groups, conference, and retreats convey––that no matter where you are on your writer's journey, your writing DOES matter, it deserves love and support, and it warrants hard work, positive but firm critiques, and a roadmap to publishing.” 
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