Of course, each writer and each manuscript is different. But in general, here's how it works:

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Phase 1: Coaching

• You and I have regular one-hour phone or Zoom calls (up to four times per month) to discuss whatever is on your mind about your manuscript.

• I help you narrow down your target audience and tailor your writing to them.

• I help you structure your plot (for fiction) or argument (for nonfiction).

• I help you plan your characters' arcs and development.

• I help you develop the fictional world of your story and flesh out details such as government, social structure, geography, climate, supernatural elements (e.g., magic), and so on.

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Phase 2: Editing

• You send me the latest version of your manuscript as a Microsoft Word file.

• I perform the developmental editing in Word with Track Changes on. I check for and fix issues such as character arcs, plot, structure (including chapter order), logic, argument, supporting evidence, etc.

• I write you a summary of any patterns of issues I’ve found.

• I send the edited manuscript and the summary back to you.

• We have a one-hour phone chat to review the patterns and resolve any big questions.

• You take up to one week to make the necessary revisions in Microsoft Word with Track Changes on.

• You send me the latest copy of your manuscript as a Word file.

• I review and incorporate your changes.

• I perform the substantive editing in Word with Track Changes on. I check for and fix issues such as flow, tone, cohesion, diction, etc.

• I send the edited manuscript back to you.

• You take up to one week to make any other needed changes.

• You send me the latest version of your manuscript as a Word file.

• I subcontract the copyediting to another professional editor so you have multiple sets of eyes on your manuscript.

• The copyeditor does the copyediting in Word with Track Changes on. He/she checks for and fixes issues such as grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, commonly confused words, etc.

• I review the copyeditor’s work and run your manuscript through several automated checkers to catch any errors that have slipped through.

• I send the edited manuscript back to you.

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Phase 3: Self-Publishing

• You and I hammer out what you’re looking for in illustrations (if applicable) and cover and interior designs.​

• I help you find illustrators and/or designers. If we can't find the right person for you among my contacts, I'll help you find someone else.

• You and I discuss what results you're hoping to get from self-publishing: number of copies, format (ebook, print, both), whether you need to include photos/illustrations, etc.

• I help you choose which self-publishing service(s) to use, such as Smashwords, Amazon, IngramSpark, etc.

• I either format the manuscript for upload myself (if I’m familiar with the platform) or have the designer do it.

• I upload the formatted manuscript to your chosen platform and fill out the metadata required by the platform (author name, genre, etc.)

• You and I determine what you’re looking for in a book-marketing specialist and any marketing information you already have: intended audience, pricing, genre(s), how this book is different from others in the same genre(s), what marketing you've already done, your marketing budget, etc.

• I help you find a marketer for your book. If we can't find the right person for you among my contacts, I'll help you find someone else.

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Throughout the process, you can email me whenever you have questions. If a question is too big or complex to answer in an email, we'll schedule a Zoom call to talk about it.