Manuscript Editor

Want to finish your book this year, but need an accountability partner?

I offer a $499/month coaching package that helps writers who need accountability with their writing practice to finish their book by the end of the year (within 9 to 12 months from the start of us working together) that also includes weekly calls. And if you would like for me to coach you without any written work, that fee is $250/month with weekly calls. (I call it the “Pick Alice’s Brain” fee) Contact me today at Alice.

If you are serious about getting your book published, then utilizing a good manuscript editor is a necessity. Why? Because…

Even the best writers make mistakes! They can:

Leave out important details.
Choose words that are confusing to the reader.
Spell words wrong, use the wrong punctuation and make grammar errors.
Write a story that veers off and loses focus.

Alice Osborn is a top-tier manuscript editor who ensures that your manuscript is on par with traditional professionally edited manuscripts and is optimized for publishers, agents and readers. Her goal when editing your manuscript is to get your work published.

Testimonials

"I’ve heard authors complain about overediting. You will not find that with Alice."

What stands out with Alice as an editor are several things. The first, which is important for me, is that she knows when to edit a passage and when to leave the text alone, when to let my idiosyncrasies stand (creating a “voice”) and when to straighten them out in more traditional wording. She knows how far I should go in breaking the rules. This is important. Too much loses readers. Enough is the foundation of a voice. I’ve heard authors complain about overediting. You will not find that with Alice. You will find thoughtful editing. Also, she is good at bringing me back on topic. And she will go the extra mile, rather than calculating her work time strictly by the clock. Her fees are reasonable. She communicates joy in her work, honestly wanting authors she’s working with to achieve success. Naturally, being a poet, she has a very good sense of language. And when I’ve asked for marketing advice, she’s come back with ideas.

Margaret A. Harrell, author of the Keep This Quiet! series, volumes I-IV

"Her insight was necessary in order to release the feelings which build the story."

“Thanks to Alice Osborn, editor, and counselor. helped me search my soul in a deeper way, to pull out things as they were and not as I wish they had been, and not to be afraid of truth and its expression. As she edited out some things, she encouraged other things be added. Her insight was necessary in order to release the feelings which build the story.”

Myra DeBruhl, author of Changing Things, Raleigh, NC

"You were my extra set of eyes and helped me find the "holes" in my story..."

You were my extra set of eyes and helped me find the “holes” in my story where they needed something added. I appreciate the suggestions and boost you gave me in penning Don’t Write My Name in Ink! It is getting very good comments after only weeks on the market. Thank you again.

Mel Matuszak Don’t Write My Name in Ink! Dacula, GA

"Always a wealth of knowledge, Alice is my go-to person for all things literary."

“Alice was my first writing instructor outside of academia. I have attended various creative writing workshops with her—memoir, fiction, and poetry.She inspires a sense of playfulness in her workshops, giving full creative license to write first, edit later. She offers support and encouragement, while also providing honest feedback to ensure that my writing improves. I will always be grateful that she helped me find my writer’s voice.

Always a wealth of knowledge, Alice is my go-to person for all things literary. She either knows exactly what I need to do to complete a project—whether it’s writing a story, creating a website, or trying to break into freelance writing, or she is knowledgeable and generous enough to refer me to others who can help me with my questions.

Alice is also an accomplished writer. I am especially moved by her gift of poetry. I often refer others to Alice when I’m asked, “What do I need to know to get involved in the Triangle’s writing community?” My reply? “It’s not what, it’s who.” And then I tell them about Alice. Alice is a treasure in the Triangle literary community. We (writers, readers, creatives) are fortunate to have her, and her expertise, here with us.”

Cheryl Capaldo Traylor, Raleigh, NC, freelance writer

If you intend on submitting your manuscript to traditional publishers, remember, you only have one chance to make a good impression. It is critical that all errors, such as those listed above, are fixed by your editor before you send your manuscript off to a publisher or agent. Publishers are not looking for the “diamond in the rough” manuscript. They expect a perfectly polished, well written AND well edited manuscript.

No matter how capable you are as a writer and proofreader, you can’t accomplish your best writing entirely by yourself. Producing an exceptional book requires skills…beyond the capabilities of even the best writers. Skimping on editing—even for the most experienced writer—is a surefire way to diminish the quality of your final product.”

David Bricker, 2012

Read this great post about having others edit your work!

Alice Osborn’s Manuscript Editing Services

What Alice does:

reads the document/manuscript
asks tough questions of your characters, especially if you are protecting them and not placing them in enough conflict or challenge
poses questions to the author of what’s working, what’s not working and what’s working but could be better
shows professional objectivity and gentle honesty about your writing
forces you to examine your work and think about more possibilities
corrects for grammar, logic and organization
fact-checking

Alice focuses on:

timelines so you don’t confuse your reader
keeping your plot in focus so you don’t veer off
ideas you didn’t think of before
making your book reader-centered

Alice will then:

submit to you Track Changes in Word
provide you with an agent-ready manuscript
create an edit summary so that you can get your work as quickly into your readers’ hands as possible

Collaboration

Alice is a big believer in collaborating with her clients so that the best quality work is achieved

Turn Around

This depends upon the project’s length and complexity, and Alice will have it ready for you when promised

Customer Service

Alice promises to give her clients the best possible customer service

Read this blog post about my editing process

Please note: Alice’s sample edit/reading fee is $250 for up to 20 pages double-spaced. If we work together, then your fee will be absorbed into your total editing cost. If I choose not to work with you, your reading/sample fee is non-refundable.

Manuscript Editing Rate: Consult with me on editing your finished manuscript for a fair flat rate. Email me HERE

Writers submit their pages based on my emailed writing prompt (or work they already have written), up to 55 pages, double-spaced. Then the edited critique is emailed back to the participant every week before the weekly coaching call.

I will:

Help you with the writing process/be your accountability partner
I will help you where you need more showing than telling, character development, setting, and dialogue. Many writers struggle figuring out how to balance between writing summary and scenes, which can contribute to readers feeling great distance between the author and the work; you don’t want that! I will also help point of view problems–you may start in third person and then shift to first person at the end, for example.
Strengthen and tone your writing
I will line edit your work in Track Changes for grammar, flow, sentence clarity, replacing passive voice, (“the ball was thrown,” instead of, “I threw the ball.”) tense shifts, comprehension, fragments, spelling, possessive, punctuation.
Help you with marketing and publishing your book
I will help you locate a book designer and publisher and/or agent. She’ll also hold her hand during this process.
Give you individualized lessons, coaching calls and feedback
With this package, clients get 1 coaching call per month (60 min) or a face-to-face meeting depending upon proximity (if you are within 25 miles of Alice’s office). If you need additional support, I will supply individualized craft/writing lessons as well. Every month you’ll receive feedback in your edits and emails.

If this package sounds like the right plan for you, please email me HERE!

Alice Osborn will help you get your novel published and adored by your readers

Alice is THE professional editor and published author to help you get famous through publication.

She will help you achieve success and confidence with editing, writing workshops, and mentoring to help you achieve your writing goals. If you need one-on-one coaching, Alice offers mentoring that can turn you from a writer into an author. She is THE expert you can trust and who will be honest and fair with you.

Connect with Alice now by signing up for her monthly newsletter by clicking here.

Questions?

She's available via email or through her Contact Page.