My preferred approach is a full edit. That includes a line-by-line edit, checking grammar as I’m making comments in areas needing improvement.

When I read a book, I want the work to draw me in at the beginning. If it doesn’t, I’ll read more and make suggestions. If I see repetition such as “he/she said,” I’ll make suggestions on alternatives. If I see a pattern that becomes boring, I'll suggest alternatives. Never do I try to change the story or rewrite it. It’s your story—not mine.

My love is fiction of all genres (with exception to erotica and overly gruesome horror), but that’s not a limitation. I’ve helped edit a book on today’s creative grammar. Len Maxwell published A Writing Book for Old Fartz, and it was an inspiring read.

My approach is to look at the first 20 pages of a story, and send it back to the writer with my edits and a quote of what I would charge for the entire book (starting from $0.50 per page and up, depending on the estimated amount of time it will take). That way, if a writer likes my approach and work, they can make the decision whether or not to hire me.

         Send me your manuscript as a Word .doc or .docx attachment and tell me what you want me to do. Your Word document must be in either Times New Roman or Arial, size 12 point. If it’s not, I’ll convert it before editing the first 20 pages. Tell me if you want proofing only, a general impression of the overall story, or a full edit with comments.

You can reach me at PSBrittain@frontier.com