Developmental Editing of Fiction for Beginners – via the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA)

Owing to the fact I like to do things backwards, three years after starting developmental editing, I have signed up to do a course with the Editorial Freelancers Associations to find out how to be a developmental editor. 😁 I know I could probably start with the immediate level (and then do the advanced one), but I figured it wouldn’t harm to go back to the basics. I’ve never had any training for developmental editing, although I have a good working knowledge of story structure and writing techniques, and I certainly know what I like as a reader and especially what I don’t like. Hopefully, […]

Posted 15 September, 2017 by Michelle in Blog / 0 Comments

I have finally got around to setting up a newsletter, although I have no plans to send weekly (or even monthly) newsletters. I thought it would be useful for keeping clients and interested parties informed of changes to services, scheduling availability, and other important news. At the present time, my only means of contacting everyone is via my Facebook page and Twitter, and if you’re not around to see an update, the chances are you’ll miss it. You aren’t obliged to sign up to the newsletter, but it would be greatly appreciated. I also have a Facebook profile specifically for writing/editing/publishing so please feel free […]

Posted 10 August, 2017 by Michelle in Blog / 0 Comments

Divided by Madeline Dyer

Having been tricked into binding herself to the Enhanced Ones in the War of Humanity, Untamed human Seven Sarr has never felt more exploited or used. When Raleigh forces her to develop her Seer powers and use them on a most innocent target, Seven knows it’s only a matter of time before the Enhanced Ones use her to wipe out the rest of her people. Certain that the only way to save the Untamed would be to get back full control of her soul, Seven must get the Gods and Goddesses to trust her again. Only they can destroy her Enhanced Promise Marks, and prevent […]

Posted 19 July, 2017 by Michelle in Projects (Published) / 0 Comments

Editorial Freelancers Association and some editing stats (mine)

I finally got my act together and became a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association, through which I intend to do lots and lots of professional development (i.e sign up to some developmental editing related courses and improve my knowledge). I’ve already done a book mapping course with them and was very impressed with the level of content, plus I got a lot out of it. I intend to study their three developmental editing courses (beginner, intermediate, and advanced) when they become available again. So, I get to display this banner on my website: In other news, and in a moment of severe procrastination despite […]

Posted 15 July, 2017 by Michelle in Blog / 0 Comments

Revolt by Kyleen Valleaux

They broke the ultimate taboo. Bobby never imagined she would fall in love with a dragon. Maug hadn’t considered seeking a mate outside his race. They found each other by chance and stayed together by choice. Now Bobby and Maug have to contend with the enmity of two kingdoms, fairy and dragon. Worse, they trigger an all-out war that threatens the very existence of the dragons. With mass extinction in the balance, can Bobby and Maug’s love survive? Can they? From the realm of the fairy stronghold to the Chicago suburbs, Bobby and Maug will make you believe in true love.

Posted 31 March, 2017 by Michelle in Projects (Published) / 0 Comments

Ywriter for developmental editing

After sharing my page yesterday on my working process I had a few inquiries from fellow editors about the software I use to dissect developmental edit a novel. The software in question is yWriter. It was written by Simon Haynes (Spacejock) who, in addition to designing software, is also an author. Designed as a tool to help writers, I have found it a useful device for note taking during the developmental stage of editing. I have little awareness of how other editors work, but to quickly summarise how I work, I always read the manuscript in its entirety before doing any detailed analysis of story, technique or […]

Posted 12 March, 2017 by Michelle in Blog / 1 Comment

Mathematics of Eternity by David M. Kelly

Meet former space engineer, Joe Ballen. These days, he’s scraping a living flying cabs in flooded-out Baltimore, trying to avoid the clutches of his boss and the well-meaning advice of an old friend. When one of his passengers suffers a grisly death, Joe is dragged into a dangerous web of ruthless academic rivalry centered on a prototype spaceship. As the bodies pile up, Joe becomes suspect number one, and his enemies will stop at nothing to hide the truth. With the help of an enigmatic scientist, a senile survivalist, and the glamorous Ms Buntin, can Joe untangle the conspiracy and prove his innocence before it’s […]

Posted 28 February, 2017 by Michelle in Projects (Published) / 0 Comments

Age of Order by Julian North

Inequality is a science. Giant machines maintain order. And all people are not created equal. Daniela Machado is offered a chance to escape the deprivation of Bronx City through a coveted slot at the elite Tuck School. There, among the highborn of Manhattan, she discovers an unimaginable world of splendor and greed. But her opportunity is part of a darker plan, and she soon learns that those at society’s apex will stop at nothing to keep power for themselves. Daniela may have a chance to change the world, if it doesn’t change her first. Age of Order is a novel that explores the meaning of […]

Posted 11 February, 2017 by Michelle in Projects (Published) / 0 Comments

Goodbye, 2016… Hello, 2017…

2016 had been a good year for my editing business and personal writing, on top of which I’ve joined a wad of new groups and made even more writing and editing friends, some of whom I’ve helped launch editing businesses, or given short writing critiques. So, my year in review… 2016 was just crazy. All in all, I have edited or beta read, thirty-five stories/novels, of which, twenty-two have been (self) published, two are awaiting a publisher or agent, three are scheduled for (self) publishing in the first quarter of the year, and a handful are in the process of going through author edits. So […]

Posted 31 December, 2016 by Michelle in Blog / 1 Comment

R.R.Virdi: Dangerous Ways (The Books of Winter #1)

From the Dragon Award-nominated author, R.R. Virdi. Jonathan Hawthorne has lived over a century beholden to one rule: do not meddle in mortal affairs. He’s broken it twice. So when he crosses paths with Cassidy Winters, he’s forced to interfere again. Strike three. And the third time’s not the charm. Hawthorne is swept along as Cassidy slips through the cracks in reality. And being hunted by bands of monsters doesn’t help. To find the answers they need, they’ll have to play in a dangerous world. One where the odds and rules are stacked against them. They will have to navigate magical courts, queens and lords […]

Posted 15 December, 2016 by Michelle in Projects (Published) / 1 Comment