Services
Fee Schedule
What to Expect When You Work with Your Words Literary Services
Manuscript Evaluation …………. $345
I’ll read your novel or book-length nonfiction manuscript, evaluate its market potential, and provide you with a written assessment of its strengths and weaknesses. The evaluation will highlight whether it’s ready for a major commercial publisher, and if not, how it can be improved prior to submitting a book proposal to literary agents. It will also include an appraisal of your narrative voice and writing style. Turnaround time is two to three weeks.
Manuscript Critique …………. $24 per thousand words
Even the world’s best novelists occasionally run into trouble with a character, plot point, or conflict. And even the most successful nonfiction authors have written first drafts that could use some help to become commercially successful.
A YWLS critique demonstrates how to turn your manuscript into a book with solid commercial value. It provides clear feedback and practical, detailed advice about ways to improve plot structure, scene development, characterization, viewpoint, narrative style, and mechanics. On a scene-by-scene basis, it will show you how to bring your characters to life, how to give your scenes more dramatic focus, and how to keep your storyline and plot on track. Critiques are typically thirty to fifty pages long, depending on the scope and needs of the manuscript.
Turnaround time is usually six to eight weeks.
Put yourself in a literary agent’s shoes. You receive dozens of manuscripts every day, and your job is to choose only those with the greatest potential for success. What would you do if you opened a manuscript with a great story and compelling hook but found that it was littered with grammar errors?
Whether you’re planning to pursue a traditional publishing contract or self-publish, don’t give your readers a reason to think that this book was prepared by anything less than a professional.
When I edit your manuscript, I’ll correct the mechanical errors (spelling, grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc.) and I’ll polish the prose to improve clarity and narrative flow. The end result is a new manuscript in electronic form ready for submission to literary agents and publishers. Turnaround time is eight to ten weeks.
Manuscript Editing …………. $40 - $50 per thousand words
You have completed a draft of your book but there’s something about it that just doesn’t seem to be clicking. Maybe there’s a plot hole or two, or the character development feels slightly uneven. Maybe your nonfiction project needs a boost to help it stand out from the competition.
I’ll create a rewrite plan for your book, then work with you to hone the plan and reach an agreement about the scope of the work to be done. Then, I will begin the work and collaborate with you to reshape your existing manuscript into a more engaging, entertaining, and saleable version of itself.
No two projects are alike. Some require only minor revisions, while others would benefit from a major overhaul. This is why the process always begins with a thorough review of your manuscript. No matter how much revision a project needs, the end result is always an exceptionally well-written, engaging, professional, and publishable book.
Along with this service, I will prepare a book proposal and compile a list of literary agents who have represented successful authors in your chosen genre.
Turnaround time is four to six months.
Manuscript Rewrite …………. $15,000 and up
You have an excellent idea for a book. The only trouble is, you don’t have the time to write it. Or maybe you’re not comfortable with your writing style or experience.
As a professional ghostwriter and editor with over two decades of experience, I can help turn your idea or outline into a marketable book that remains true to your original vision. I’ll also prepare a book proposal and compile a list of literary agents with experience in your chosen genre.
Turnaround time depends on the projected length of the project, your availability for interviews, and the Your Words Literary Services production schedule. Most projects take between six months and a year.
Ghostwriting …………. $15,000 and up
Book Proposal …………. $950 and up
There was a time when, if you wanted to land a commercial publishing contract, all you needed was an excellent manuscript. Today, you also need a literary agent to help connect you with a publisher. But how do you get a literary agent? You have to catch their attention with a well-crafted, compelling book proposal. For over twenty years, I have been writing the kinds of book proposals that lead to major publishing contracts.
Payment Options
For everything but major rewrites and ghostwriting jobs, I require payment in advance via check or credit card.
For major rewrites and ghostwriting, I require an initial retainer of 25% to cover the development work. Then, monthly payments can be made as the work progresses.