Editing, Coaching, Grants
Editing, Coaching, Consulting, Grants, and Funding
Grants and Funding
In Canada, there are many opportunities for grants and other funding at the municipal, provincial, and federal level when it comes to writing and other activities in the creative arts.
I have extensive experience in creating applications and support materials for funding opportunities within the arts community and help you to develop material that really gets you noticed. I’ve been honoured to receive funding for some of my writing projects over the years and continue to be closely associated with the arts community.
If you’re in Canada, check out these links regarding funding.
Alberta Foundation for the Arts
If you’re outside Canada, I’m always happy to chat about how I may be able to assist you in developing your application for funding within the arts community in your particular part of the world.
Editing, Coaching, and Consulting
You’ve finished writing and editing your first novel after years of painstaking work. You’re sure it could be a best seller and everyone you know is very enthusiastic. Yet your manuscript is returned by publishers, with a form letter providing no clues as to why they didn’t like it. Having your work independently evaluated gives you an unbiased opinion, helping you to tighten your manuscript and fix problems you may have overlooked.
I’ve provided substantive and copy editing services for many other writers over the years. This has been for novels, short stories, fiction, nonfiction, biographies, inspirational books and many other genres. I’ve served as the Writer-in-Residence with the Canadian Authors Association and am a writing instructor at the University of Calgary. I’ve also worked as a story coach for the Alexandra Writers’ Centre Author Development Program. You can view details of some of the projects that I’ve worked on here.
Substantive Editing
A professional substantive edit involves a comprehensive content assessment. This may include comments and suggestions regarding characterization, setting, dialogue, believability, structure, plot, language, research and references. It also includes a summary of the strengths and weaknesses (if any) of your writing, along with comments on writing technique, format, technical ability and market potential.
I will also answer any specific questions regarding what publishers may or may not like in the story. The time required for a substantive edit will vary depending on the length of your manuscript and the amount of work required. Please contact me directly for an estimate.
Substantive Editing versus Copy Editing
A substantive edit is different to copy editing. This type of editing covers grammar, spelling, punctuation and many other details that writers are sometimes unaware of but publishers care deeply about. Substantive editing also differs from proof reading, which checks the final details before a book or article is printed or published. Following an in-depth substantive edit, both copy editing and proof reading are still needed before publication.
Genres
I conduct substantive edits for manuscripts in most genres of fiction and non-fiction, adult and children’s literature, including science fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction, time travel, historical fiction, paranormal, supernatural, suspense, adventure, action, mainstream novels, mysteries, thrillers, romance novels, picture books and more. If you’re not sure whether your work is appropriate or require further information, please contact me directly.
*Please note that a substantive edit of a manuscript and the resulting changes or suggestions, even if acted on by the author, will not necessarily guarantee publication. While the feedback may improve your manuscript, doors will not automatically open. You will also still need to thoroughly research the marketplace to ensure that you are submitting your work to an appropriate publishing house.
