Working with me as your writing coach is a way to hone your writing skills—in many of the same ways you would work with a professor in a writing program.
Writing a novel, short story collection, or memoir is a job many of us take on in addition to being full-time parents or professionals. And, because we're doing so many things, we often don't have time to find a trusted reader or writing group. If you need someone to help you stay on task—in addition to someone who will offer fresh, objective, and honest feedback—you might consider hiring a writing coach.
After working with student writers at Columbia College Chicago for over 20 years as a writing teacher and editor, I founded Hypertext Magazine. Since 2010, I have worked with hundreds of writers on revisions including overall narrative arc, choosing the right point of view for the story, voice, character development, scene, dialogue, and the more nuanced elements of story.
Here are a few ways we could work together…
WRITING COACH
WHAT GENRES DO I CONSIDER? Fiction (any genre) and Creative Nonfiction
WORD LIMIT: 14,000 in four submissions of 3,500 words each
YOUR JOB
You submit 3,500 words of prose every 3-4 weeks for 12-15 weeks. Submissions can be new chapters of ongoing work or a new draft of work that has already been reviewed.
NOTE: To make sure that we're the right writer/editor fit, you will submit a 3,500-word manuscript for review.
MY JOB
We will work together to push your manuscript to publishable quality. What does that mean? We'll investigate all of the elements of writing – point of view, vantage point, character development, scene development, overall narrative arc, voice – and the more nuanced elements of story particular to your manuscript. Whether you are an emerging or accomplished writer, my goal as a teacher and editor is to help you make your manuscript shine. If you're a more experienced writer tussling with an unruly manuscript, we can work on that. If you're an emerging writer and want to improve, we can focus on that. This will be tailored to what your manuscript needs and, more importantly, what you need to develop as a writer.
Once we decide to work together, we'll start with your preliminary submission. At that point, we will determine what you want to accomplish. Then, we will determine a timeline. Over the course of 12-16 weeks, you'll submit work of up to 3500 words every 3-4 weeks, and within a week I'll get back to you with my editorial thoughts and advice. You can use our time together to work on a particular section of a novel, or one particular short story, or a short story collection, or a full memoir, or novel.
In order to get the most out of the three to four months we work on your manuscript, choose the timing of this coaching session carefully. In other words, if you are an accountant by profession, you might want to schedule our session after your busy season.
The initial consultation is done over the phone and the remaining consultation will be written (on the manuscript or via email). I also offer in-person writing sessions (but those are priced separately).
Contact crice@hypertextmag.com to discuss price.
Turnaround: 12–16 weeks (give or take a week or two)
FULL MANUSCRIPT CONSULTATION & DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING
At some point, every manuscript needs a fresh set of eyes. Whether you're applying to MFA programs, sending out short stories, or working on something longer, I can help. For over 30 years, I have worked with writers to help them develop a solid narrative structure, choose the right point of view, cut to movement or expand a scene, develop characters and dialogue, and a boatload of other story elements too numerous to list here.
Up to 50,000 words, (complete read-through, email/line comments, 1-2 hour phone conference).
Up to 100,00 words, $2,500 (complete read-through, email/line comments, 1-2-hour phone conference)..
Contact crice@hypertextmag.com to discuss price.