Harvard Girl Professional Editing Services
Making Words Work As Hard As You Do
Making Words Work As Hard As You Do
We make words work as hard as you do
Harvard Girl Editing Services offers:
WHAT DO EDITORS DO?
WHAT DO THE BEST EDITORS DO?
- Manuscript Critiquing
- Copy-editing, proofreading, substantive rewriting
- Book cover design and interior book design
- Full self-publishing services (will work with your publisher...Lulu, IUniverse, Amazon Booksurge, etc. to create your finished publication)
CALL OR EMAIL FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE TODAY.
WHAT DO EDITORS DO?
- Editors do what "spellcheck", a friend, or a colleague cannot.
- Editors copy-edit. We read every line, word by word. We check punctuation, grammar, and spelling. We review sentence structure, continuity and repetition. We work carefully to remove unnecessary words that are extraneous to your meaning or bog down your style.
- Editors make lists, called style sheets, for recording preferred spellings, number usage, etc., so when words appear they have consistency--in other words, they appear the same way throughout your manuscript or document.
- Some editors (like me) serve in the capacity of writing coach to help you with substantive and/or developmental editing to achieve your ultimate writing goals.
What makes editing so challenging and interesting for me is the time I spend to align your meaning with your actual words. This is what I love to do and what my clients say I do best!
Good editors step in to make sure your work accomplishes what it sets out to do. Your editor should work closely with you, your words, and your meaning to be absolutely certain that your message comes through loud and clear. Because a misplaced comma can alter the meaning or an entire sentence or an entire message. And if one sentence is confusing or convoluted, the next one by proximity becomes questionable too. And on it goes.
Whoever your reader is--your CEO, an eight-year-old, or a fiction lover--he or she is in the position of power and will decide to discard or read what you've written. So, how can you make sure you're conveying your message without ambiguity? How can you be objective after all the time and thought you've spent intimately involved with your project? To be honest, it's a tall order for anyone, even the most dedicated and seasoned writers.
Good editors step in to make sure your work accomplishes what it sets out to do. Your editor should work closely with you, your words, and your meaning to be absolutely certain that your message comes through loud and clear. Because a misplaced comma can alter the meaning or an entire sentence or an entire message. And if one sentence is confusing or convoluted, the next one by proximity becomes questionable too. And on it goes.
Whoever your reader is--your CEO, an eight-year-old, or a fiction lover--he or she is in the position of power and will decide to discard or read what you've written. So, how can you make sure you're conveying your message without ambiguity? How can you be objective after all the time and thought you've spent intimately involved with your project? To be honest, it's a tall order for anyone, even the most dedicated and seasoned writers.
WHAT DO THE BEST EDITORS DO?
The very best editors help your personality shine! How will you know when your revised work really works? When the edited version causes you to think to yourself, "It all flows just the way I want it to--and it sounds just like me!"
"I would have been struggling with my manuscript still if Heidi had not agreed to critique it and then edit it for publication. Heidi encouraged me to go on with my work, and was frank and honest about the problems within. I found her patient, courteous, efficient and professional, and she did an excellent job on the cover and interior design also. Everyone needs an editor and I would highly recommend making contact with Heidi as early as possible in your project."
(Judge Laurence A. Cushing, author of Bittersweet Canyon, 2007)The following are samples of some recent work. Harvard Girl Editing did the editing, book cover design, interior design, and even some of the writing.
Messages From The Light, Inspirational Guidance for Light Workers, Healers, and Spiritual Seekers, by Claudia Helt, 2008. Harvard Girl services provided: Editing, Book Design, Cover Design, Self-Publishing/consulting.
The Journey Within...A Personal Journal by Claudia Helt
(150-page journal with inspirational messages throughout)
"Working with Heidi has been an absolute delight. She is wonderfully patient and gentle in her approach, resulting in a joyful experience rather than an intimidating one.
I recommend her highly and have already
contracted a second project with her. She is the best!!"
- Claudia Helt, Author
You can purchase Claudia's book on-line at www.centerforpeacefultransitions.com
Time of Triumph, Collection of Stories and Poems (English and Espanol) by Ronald P. Chavez, the renowned "Storyteller of old Route 66". Services by Harvard Girl: Editing, Book Cover Design, Interior Design, Self-Publishing liaison with Amazon's Booksurge.
"I discovered Heidi through an article in the Taos News. I e-mailed her immediately and when I met her, I asked if she could edit and format my book Time Of Triumph for publication. When she answered, "That's exactly what I do," my heart jumped a beat. In less than a month the cover and text were ready for publication with Amazon's Booksurge. Not only is Heidi prompt, but her work ethic is friendly and highly professional. No writer could ask for a better editor or guide through the self-publishing maze. I couldn't be happier with the results." - Ron Chavez, author and poet, Taos, NM
Jofi: Star Seeker, Adventure fantasy for adolescents by Ellen Tisdel McKinsey. Services by Harvard Girl: Editing, Book Cover Design, Interior Design, Self-Publishing liaison with Amazon's Booksurge. You can purchase this book at www.goodchoicebooks.com
"How do I describe Heidi? Efficient, smart, quick, faithful, patient, and a wizard with words. All I can say, Heidi, is that you've been a gem and without you this book would not have come to birth. I appreciate the way you give of yourself and encouraged me. You're a gem."
- Ellen Tisdel McKinsey, author, Crescent City, CA.
MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUING
The process of getting your book into a publisher's hands should start with a good read by an objective professional. Though friends and family are a great place to start (and should not be undervalued), you really need a professional to thoroughly critique your complete work. I offer both "preliminary" and "comprehensive" evaluations for reasonable set fees to give you direct feedback of the type you need. Both types include an estimate of editing requirements and generate a report to help you with plot, pacing, hook, characterization, names, dialog, persona, and more.
One thing to remember: Publishers and editing staffs toss poorly edited manuscripts. Make your work the best it can be--before you send it off.
My specialty is twofold: (1) helping you with the overall rhythm of your text--because the rhythmic flow of your words is just as important as the words themselves, and (2) taking on the personality of your message in order to create the manuscript, letter, report, or Website you want.
One thing to remember: Publishers and editing staffs toss poorly edited manuscripts. Make your work the best it can be--before you send it off.
My specialty is twofold: (1) helping you with the overall rhythm of your text--because the rhythmic flow of your words is just as important as the words themselves, and (2) taking on the personality of your message in order to create the manuscript, letter, report, or Website you want.
COVER DESIGN AND INTERIOR BOOK DESIGN
Book design starts with your manuscript and ends with a finished publication that's ready for the printer!
You've worked hard and your manuscript is edited and proofed to perfection. Now you're ready to watch it metamorphosize into a finished published book! If you don't know where to begin you're not alone, because being a writer does not a designer (or self-publishing liaison) make.
- You want to be happy with the end result and you're unsure of the entire detailed process, including document formatting, document uploading, and using publishing templates. This is where I can help!
- We will work closely together every step of the way to ensure you get the finished product you want.
- You "don't know what you want, but you'll know it when you see it." Don't worry--that's what I'm here for.
- Have questions? I'm alway happy to take the time to explain the details. Please put your questions in an email and I'll respond as quickly as I can (heidi@harvardgirledits.com).