EDITING SERVICES

Most writers are amazed when they eventually give themselves the gift of professional editing. Is it different from the critique you might get from a group, writing friend, or former English teacher? Dramatically different.

In the early 1980s, I began editing manuscripts professionally. From 1988 to early 2002, I developed Lyon's Literary Services, serving writers in the U.S., Canada, and abroad. I developed positive relationships with many literary agents on behalf of my clients and honed the comprehensive editing and evaluation of client manuscripts that has become my trademark. Scores of editing clients saw their dreams come true through publication of their novels, nonfiction books, articles, and short stories, and through winning contests. A few have secured movie options.

Along the way, I began to discover and refer work to some of the best independent book editors in the country. From 2002 through August 2004, I enjoyed a business partnership with three such editors. However, we parted ways, resuming our sole proprietorships. I retained our company name, Editing International, website: www.4-edit.com, and have found a small core of additional superb editors to help me with the growing workload.

My clients can expect evaluations on their books-novels and nonfiction- to be custom courses in craft ranging from 20-40 pages (single-spaced). Every editing client of a book or partial book receives a copy of one of my craft books. One of my most popular services is the "critical read-through" of books. Instead of editing and commentary on the pages, this service provides a professional assessment of your manuscript's strengths, weaknesses, and needed changes communicated through a detailed evaluation.

Areas of work offered to writers through Editing International include technical editing, developmental coaching, substantive editing, copyediting, and proofreading for the following:

• Fiction—Novels
• Nonfiction—Books and Book Proposals
• Marketing—Queries and Synopses

Why the emphasis on "international?" Even before the formation of the company, I recognized the reality of the global writing community. I have been privileged to work with writers and publishers in Russia, Germany, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and elsewhere. I presently work only with writers of English. My largest client base is the United States. A surprising number of these clients, however, write about foreign-born characters, ancestry, or countries.

Underlying all of my editing and consulting work is a message—and a mission—that I believe deeply: Effective communication, cultural sensitivity, and positive relationships facilitate world peace. As an editor and writing teacher, I seek to make a difference by helping writers, wherever they may live.

For more information on editing services, please visit the site of Editing International at www.4-edit.com.