Jeff lyons – Editor

I specialize in helping book authors and screenwriters fix stories in trouble. I have worked with literally thousands of novelists, screenwriters (TV/features), and memoirists, and my clients have won major literary prizes like the “William Faulkner Gold Medal,” placed as finalists in major screenwriting competitions like The Sundance Screenwriters Lab, and include New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors.

WHAT YOU GET: (pricing does not include the 2.9% Stripe processing fee.)

(SERVICES FOR FICTION & MEMOIR ONLY—NO GENERAL NONFICTION)

Novel/Memoir Evaluation: Two-read pass with redlined manuscript notes and a four-page evaluation. Addresses structure, organization, style, dialogue, narrative design, dramatic elements, and more—0.033$/word USD (80 pg-199 pg max) | 0.040$/word USD (200 pg–320 pg max)—3-week turnaround—includes 60-min recorded video consult on all notes. (321 pg+ overage 0.07$/word/pg—Based on industry standard of 250 words/pg.)Query Letter Review: Access your query letter to conform to industry standards, and make sure your pitch is working. Redlined notes on the query text and a 20-min recorded video consult are included—Review 475$ USD—1-week turnaround—logline development not included, but rewriting will be discussed.

Screenplay Evaluation: Two-read pass with redlined manuscript notes and a four-page evaluation. Includes 60-min recorded video consult to review notes. Feature length 875$ USD (110 pg max)—30-min TV pilots 475$ USD (30 pg max)—60-min TV pilots 675$ USD—2-week turnaround (60 pg max). (Overage pages 20$/pg for all formats.)

Book Coaching: For partial or early book drafts, 20-min scoping Zoom call required (FREE), offer details and timeline determined during Zoom call, but pricing generally runs 875$ USD–2200$ USD depending on duration. Each project is treated as one-off and uniquely individual—no cookie cutters—but coaching topics may include: classic story structure, subplot design, mushy middle fixes, book organization, voice/tense POV, opposition structure, pacing, and story stakes ... among other goodies. Book coaching focuses on STORY DEVELOPMENT craft not CREATIVE WRITING or developmental editing.

PRAISE:

Jeff's insightful feedback helped me to rapidly develop my sprawling ideas into a cohesive and compelling story. Thanks Jeff for your quick responses and professionalism! ~ Namtran Pham, Author

Jeff is a seasoned professional with a down to earth personal manner ... he taught me to clearly identify and stay focused on my goals ... and the time it will save me as I write new books is a delightful. ~ Sharon Thayer, Author

I came across Jeff on one of the Reedsy live-stream events, and I could see that his approach might be just what I needed to get "unstuck" in my novel. He responded promptly, was appropriately priced, and set up collaboration straightaway. ~ Rachel Yobs, Author