Editing comes naturally to me after 30 years of writing in many genres. Let me make your story or novel as good as it can be before you send it out into the world.
What I Can Promise:
1) I will read your manuscript carefully, with a judicious eye toward publishing possibilities
2) I will edit your manuscript for rhythm, flow and clarity.
3) I will suggest ways for continuing your novel it you are stuck.
4) I will suggest ways to hone and tighten your novel if it is becoming too long and unwieldy.
5) I may suggest books that might help you to reorganize/improve your manuscript.
6) I will pay careful attention to the opening chapter (crucial) and also the final chapter (equally crucial).
7) I will suggest ways of making characters have more presence, consistency and believability.
8) I will suggest ways to improve dialogue.
9) I can absolutely and without reservation guarantee that I will improve the quality and readability of your manuscript
What I Cannot Promise:
1) I cannot rewrite your story or novel for you.
2) If your manuscript is full of grammar and usage errors, I cannot correct it for you. That is not what my service is about. I can advise you on various means of getting your manuscript copy-edited.
3) I cannot guarantee that after working with me, you will find a publisher for your novel, although some of my clients have.
My Credentials:
Seven published young adult novels with major publishers (HarperCollins, Delacorte, Bantam)
One middle grade novel (forthcoming, CarolRhoda)
Short stories published in literary journals (Denver Review, Rara Avis, Calyx)
Personal essays in many anthologies.
Short stories in literary anthologies.
Dozens of personal essays for The Hungry Mind Review.
Book reviews in Hungry Mind Review and Riverbank Review.
Six picture books published with major publishers (HarperCollins, Simon and Schuster)
Editing Fees:
$40 an hour, very reasonable by industry standards. For a picture book manuscript, sometimes all that is needed is a few hours. Longer manuscripts involve more time. Partial readings—such as first several chapters—are acceptable and welcome.
Recommendations:
"Margaret Willey is a thorough and insightful editor, able to readily grasp the writer’s intention. This is due to her many years of experience as a novelist and essayist. When Ms. Willey edited my historical novel, The Scorned Ally, I sensed from the beginning that we shared the same goals—a stronger, sharper, more readable book, but one that was ultimately my own creation."
--Leonard Bird, author of The Scorned Ally and Folding Paper Cranes.
"There is a reason that Margaret Willey has won all of those writing awards. She is really, really good. She is also an excellent editor. Her deft and thoughtful input on my latest manuscript brought it into focus, and was key to my getting a contract with a major publisher. I have always valued Margaret’s expertise and will continue to use her services. I recommend her highly and whole-heartedly."
--Amy Young, author of the Belinda the Ballerina series, The Mud Fairy and What Makes You Happy
