Golden Heart Critiques

I posted this on Romance Divas last week, and I thought I should maybe share it here, too. In what appears to be a short time left before I end my period of being unemployed, I wanted to do some freelance editing and critiquing. While I am willing to do full length manuscripts and/or novellas (and interested people can contact me for pricing), I thought it would be fun to offer some help to those looking to enter the Golden Heart contest this year (especially after my post from yesterday!)

So I’m offering a Golden Heart critique special. For $75, I will critique your entire entry for the Golden Heart contest (entries are limited to 55 pages, for those wondering) and have it back to you with comments, critique and some line editing in time for you to make changes and ask any questions before the deadline of December 2nd, which is when the actual entries need to be in to RWA.

I’m not taking on a lot of these, and will fill my slots on a first-come basis. If you’re interested, or have questions, please email me at angelajameseditor AT gmail.com

Post to Twitter

13 People have left comments on this post



1
» Leslie Dicken said: { Oct 13, 2009 - 11:10:52 }

Didn’t realize you’d found new employment! Congrats!

And what a great service you are offering! I can’t partake (no longer GH eligible) but it sounds like a great deal. :-)

~ Leslie

2
» Angie said: { Oct 13, 2009 - 11:10:20 }

I haven’t officially yet, just possibilities that I can’t talk about ;)

3
» Dana Marie Bell said: { Oct 13, 2009 - 11:10:26 }

Crossing my fingers for you!

4
» shannyn said: { Oct 13, 2009 - 11:10:02 }

Hi – First, congrats on the almost job. Second, when would you need to have the submission by? I ask because I would love a critique by you, but I am reworking the beginning of my MS (again).

Thanks

5
» Angie said: { Oct 13, 2009 - 11:10:06 }

Shannyn, go ahead and email me and I’ll give you all of the details, so you can make your decision!

6
» Lara Nance said: { Oct 13, 2009 - 02:10:53 }

Angela, Hi, I met you at the Chesapeake Romance Writer’s meeting where you spoke to us on e-pub. I have entered my Paranormal romance in Golden Heart but haven’t sent the submission in yet. Would LOVE to do this critique. Thanks! Lara Nance

7
» Angie said: { Oct 13, 2009 - 02:10:33 }

Hi Lara! Go ahead and email me and I’ll answer any questions you might have.

8
» Karin Tabke said: { Oct 13, 2009 - 03:10:03 }

Angela this is very generous of you!

Can’t wait to hear about the new job!

9
» December said: { Oct 13, 2009 - 10:10:00 }

I’d be a fool not to.

10
» Melinda said: { Oct 14, 2009 - 02:10:50 }

I’m an aspiring author who has been following your blog for years…literally! =) When I saw this, I remembered a post you had done way back about paying to get your ms looked over before submitting it: http://nicemommy-evileditor.com/blog/?p=941 I’m very confused now! What’s changed your mind?

11
» Carol Burnside said: { Oct 15, 2009 - 08:10:17 }

Dear #10,
In the previous post you refer to, Angela was talking about mostly line editing. Here she’s offering a critique, with ‘comments, critique and some line editing.’ Done right, that’s a great value for $75.

12
» Melinda said: { Oct 16, 2009 - 12:10:51 }

Carol, it’s essentially the same thing. Either way, you’re paying for someone to look at your manuscript before submitting it. Angela has been very vocal about this in the past and how she thinks it’s a waste of money, and again, when I saw this, I was very confused. Having someone look at it for “mostly line editing” or “some line editing” is the same thing. You’re still spending money to have someone look at your manuscript.

13
» Angie said: { Oct 17, 2009 - 07:10:30 }

Hey Melinda, it’s a great question! That was my first time meeting Kate, it’s not likely I’ll forget it! And duh, the answer to what’s changed is, “because it’s me”. Ha! I’m just kidding!

In my post, I do say that I suggest saving your money for a professional editing service, but I also say that some people may feel the need to hire someone if they don’t have a good critique partner or beta reader who can help. I think now, several years later, I would also add that you might consider it if you don’t have a good critique partner or beta reader, or if you go with someone who has a good/solid editorial reputation. So maybe “because it’s me” isn’t entirely a joke? I still see a lot of professional editing services from people who have not built up any kind of editorial reputation within the publishing community, who have never dealt with submissions with an eye towards actually acquiring, editing and publishing them, and who aren’t as familiar with either what an editor should editor for or with grammatical rules as they say.

But either way, hiring someone for critiquing or editorial services is just as risky, and probably more so since it involves money, as trusting that your critique partner/beta reader is giving you good advice. Hopefully, anyone looking for an editorial service will choose someone who has either been recommended to them or who has a history of successful publishing/editing.

In my case, I hope that the almost 250 books that I edited for Samhain, many of them very successful money makers, can speak to my knowledge of what works as well as some minor editorial skill ;)

Thanks for asking, it really was a valid question.



Subscribe without commenting