My step-by-step Story Edit process.

Step 1 - See what I can do for you

I assess the full scope of your story structure, scene by scene, to evaluate the character arcs, check the pacing, seek out any plot holes or other inconsistencies, and much, much more.

My comments and suggestions will be presented within your own StoryCoach Client account, which I set up for you. On this superb platform you’ll see track changes, per line comments, and notes on a per scene basis.

You will then receive the following:

1. A printable illustrated 5000+ word Summary Letter

2. Printable per scene notes right next to your text in your StoryCoach account

3. Objective assessment of story elements on character, plot, and setting

4. In-line comments & track changes

5. Useful visual insights of your novel

6. Three (3) hours of personal time with me to discuss your story.

Step 2 - Email me:

• Your Book Blurb (max. ½ page or approximately 250 words)

• Genre

• Protagonist(s) & POV

• Total word count of your manuscript

I need this information to see if I can be of good use to you.

Step 3 - Sign my StoryCoach Editor Agreement & send your W.I.P.

If we are both happy and we want to proceed, then we both sign my StoryCoach Editor Agreement. Please read this document carefully. It sets out what our working relationship entails for this project. You will then need to pay a 50% deposit via PayPal (or equivalent) of the total amount for my service as described in the agreement. You also need to email me your complete manuscript. Make sure this is your final version, for once I begin the story edit, I do not accept changed documents as this disrupts my complex assessment and work flow.

Please format your manuscript in Word doc:

• Clear chapter headings, and

• Show scene breaks with either *** or ~ or # (be consistent and use only one type)

Step 4 - The Fictionary Story Edit

I take four (4) weeks to do a story edit and write the Summary Letter. It is rare that I need more time, but if this is the case, I will contact you via the email you provided prior to the agreed delivery date.

Step 5 - Receive, consider and process my Story Edit

Take all the time you need to read through the Summary Letter, my notes, comments, and suggestions. When you are ready, contact me to set up a mutually convenient time to discuss your work.

Step 6 - Video or phone call discussions

It often takes considerable time to rework your WIP after a story edit. You have three hours of my time and you can break that up in any way that works best for you as long as you arrange the appointment one (1) week ahead of time. It is not unusual for my clients to spread these calls over months. As a story editor, I become intimately involved with your work, reading it more intensely than any of your readers ever will and spending a considerable amount of time (hence Step 2, to see if it is a good fit for me). This makes me as keen as you for your book to succeed.

Your Next Step Before Publishing

Once you have considered my suggestions and have weighed up what to use and what to dismiss, you will have a manuscript that is structurally sound and in fine shape. But you are not yet ready for publishing. You could at this stage submit your work to literary agents (who are less concerned about grammar and typos), but if you are going to self-publish, then you will need to have a closer look at style, grammar, and spelling.

Is a StoryEdit too big a leap or simply beyond your finacial reach?

The editing platform I use, is also available in a somewhat simpler format for writers to self-edit. This elegant platform created by Fictionary is called StoryTeller. You can upload your manuscript as a Word file and with a little simple formatting it will structure your entire story into chapters and scenes. As an editor, I provide a detailed first scene StoryEdit, called a QuickStart, that will show you how to effectively self-edit your novel. Tell me more.