Far-Sight Fiction: Editing Services

"If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it. Or, if proper usage gets in the way, it may have to go. I can't allow what we learned in English composition to disrupt the sound and rhythm of the narrative."
—Elmore Leonard

Writing is musical; it has rhythm and flow. If the song of a story cannot carry the reader along, they will quickly become frustrated and stop reading. One can forgive bad lyrics if the melody is beautiful enough. And sometimes, as a result, a writer who dedicates themselves to producing a story that sounds right will have to reject a few grammatical laws along the way.

This does not mean that you can throw grammar to the wind and ignore things like proper formatting and punctuation. All writers have a responsibility to communicate their music in an effective manner, and correct grammar is the established common language.

But, just as it is possible to write musically, so it is possible to edit musically. When I read a selected work, I am not always looking for, nor am I focusing on, what is absolutely correct according to the rules of English grammar. I will always point out errors that are obvious or that do not seem to have any good reason for existing. But as I read, I listen, and I tend to lean more towards what sounds right.

Some things that I target in my read-throughs include:
-basic proofing (spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting errors)
-rhythm and sound (clarity, pacing, showing vs. telling, dialogue, etc.)

-author clichés (repetitive language specific to the author)

-story consistency (plot flow, character details, organization of setting, etc.)

If you are interested in my editing services, please read the below guidelines before contacting me about a specific project.

Acceptable Genres

-Fantasy

-Science Fiction

-YA Fiction

Please first contact me via email (Subject: Project Proposal – “Title”) to ascertain my availability to edit your work. Include your name, contact information, genre, type of work (see categorizations below), length of work, and a brief summary of the story for context.

Please be aware that I cannot provide anything more than an estimate for how long a full read-through might take based on your project. For short pieces, turnarounds can be as quick as a couple of days; for longer pieces, a matter of a few weeks. Timing is dependent on the length of the work and the depth of editing.

Please ensure that all work is formatted in Microsoft Word (.doc/.docx) with Calibri 12-point font and at least 1.5 spacing.

After we have discussed your project, please purchase the appropriate editing service below (purchases are made through Paypal) and send the manuscript to me via email or Dropbox.

Brainstorming is Always Free

"Don't expect the puppets of your mind to become the people of your story. If they are not realities in your own mind, there is no mysterious alchemy in ink and paper that will turn wooden figures into flesh and blood."
—Leslie Gordon Barnard

I live for stories, and I am always happy to share my thoughts and opinions with writers. If you would like to engage in some good old-fashioned brainstorming, please send me an email (Subject: Brainstorming – “Title”). This service is for the basic skeleton of your story only. We can discuss plot and character development, troublesome sections of dialogue, backstory, and setting.

Prices for Editing Services

Query Letters

First Draft Read-through – $50

Second Draft Read-through – $35

Back Cover Text

First Draft Read-through – $50

Second Draft Read-through – $35

Short Stories (<30,000 words)

First Draft Read-through – $100

Second Draft Read-through – $75

Novellas (30,000 – 80,000 words)

First Draft Read-through – email for quote specific to project

Second Draft Read-through – email for quote specific to project

Novels (>80,000 words)

First Draft Read-through – email for quote specific to project

Second Draft Read-through – email for quote specific to project