Meredith Efken - Editor
Nebraska
Freelance Fiction Editor and Owner of the Fiction Fix-It Shop, Novelist writing as Meredith Rose
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Overview
As a published novelist and freelance fiction editor, owner of the Fiction Fix-It Shop, my goal is to empower you to reach your full writing potential. I specialize in content/developmental editing, but also am experienced in line/copy editing. Protecting your voice while making the story the best it can be is top priority for each edit I do.
When I give you feedback, I'm going to be honest, but also encouraging because I wouldn't have accepted you as a client if I didn't believe in your passion for your art. I am very thorough, but I also take the time to explain why I'm making the suggestion because often the "why" is the most helpful part of an edit.
My editing and coaching services are for novelists, by novelists--whether you're an indie author or working with a traditional publisher. Since opening Fiction Fix-It Shop in 2006, my clients have included fiction writers at all levels from beginners to NYT and USA Today bestselling authors such as Tosca Lee and Camy Tang, award-winning authors like Linda Barrett and Anne Peffer, as well as award-winning novelist and internationally acclaimed fiction writing teacher Randy Ingermanson, author of Writing Fiction For Dummies and creator of the Snowflake Method.
When you work with me, you're going to receive friendly service, personalized assistance, and the best advice, and most thorough feedback based on my current understanding of the fiction industry. I believe editing should be a partnership--you and me, working together to get your book where you want it to be.
Here's how a Fiction Fix-It Shop edit works:
1) Initial Critique:
When you contact me, my assistant is going to give you info on how to get started with an Initial Critique of the first 3,000 words of your manuscript. This is a required first step, and it's very important because it gives us both a chance to try each other out and see if we like working together before we commit to a bigger project. My time is in heavy demand these days, so I'm unable to offer free sample edits. But for a very reasonable $100, you will receive a thorough edit on your excerpt (often with enough info for you to further revise the entire manuscript) as well as a 15-minute "ShopTalk" phone consultation with me where you can ask any questions and we can discuss the next steps for editing your novel. This consultation is recorded and sent to you so you don't even have to take notes!
2) Further Services:
If we decide we want to work together on editing your entire book, or even individual chapters, or if you want help on your writing through my coaching services, I'll give you a quote, and I'll provide you an editing agreement detailing exactly what services you're purchasing, cost, and what the estimated timeline for the edit will look like. We'll both sign, you'll make the first payment, and I'll get to work! After the edit is completed, you'll complete payment and you'll have another 1-2 ShopTalks that you can schedule at your convenience.
I'd encourage you to take a look at my portfolio as well as my Fiction Fix-It Shop website, where you can find price estimates/ranges for all my services as well as detailed checklists of what each service includes.
When you contact me through Reedsy, please include the word count of your book, or an estimate of final word count. It's also very helpful to know what your preferred time frame is and the plans you have for the manuscript.
Feel free to contact me if you have any further questions. I'm looking forward to working with you!
Languages
English (US)
Fiction
Adventure
African American fiction
Christian
Crime & Mystery
Cultural & Ethnic Themes
Fantasy
Historical Fiction
Humor & Comedy
LGBTQ
Literature
Romance
Science Fiction
Thriller
Women's Fiction
Young Adult & Teen
Work experience
Freelance Editor
Thomas Nelson Publishing
December, 2010
–
Present
(about 8 years)
• Developmental Editing and Revision Letters
• Line Editing
• Stylesheet for copy editor
• Brainstorming
I was brought on at Thomas Nelson at the request of author Rosslyn Elliott. I worked with her on two
books: Sweeter Than Birdsong and Lovelier Than Daylight. Birdsong was especially challenging for
her because it was her second published book, but it was written earlier than what became her
debut novel. She worried that the writing craft wasn't as strong as her first book and that readers
would be disappointed. My goal was to make sure that the level of writing matched her well-received
debut, and to keep her encouraged and sane in the process!
At one point, she despaired of being able to make a change that both her acquiring editor and I felt
was necessary to make. Basically, her Victorian protagonist had a phobia of speaking or singing in
front of an audience. From a story standpoint, then, she had to show that she'd conquered that fear
by the end of the book. But how could she show that when public performing was unacceptable for
a lady of that time? Rosslyn and I spent a lot of time on the phone brainstorming how to construct a
scenario that would be plausible for the time and would not seem too contrived or sentimental.
This required a lot of negotiation with the author and a few calls between her agent and the
acquiring editor at Thomas Nelson. Finally, I was able to help Rosslyn put it all together, and the
book was much stronger as a result. I went on to edit her third book, Lovelier Than Daylight a year
later.
I seem to be the freelancer of choice for Thomas Nelson when it comes to rescuing projects. When
Ami McConnell's colleague, Natalie Hanemann, had a freelancer back out of a project (due to a
family emergency), I was asked to step in. I edited Ruth Reid's Amish speculative novel, An Angel
By Her Side. It was a fun challenge for me because it was the third title in her debut series so I had
to make sure my changes matched the style and voice of her first two novels.
Owner, Freelance Fiction Editor
Fiction Fix-It Shop
December, 2005
–
Present
(about 13 years)
• Substantive Editing
• Line Editing
• Writing Coaching
• Brainstorming
• Critiquing
• Book Proposal Review
• Online Writing Courses
• Managing Team of Editors
• Client Care and Problem Resolution
Since opening FFS in 2006, I have done over 100 critiques and more than 60 substantive and
line edits on a variety of fiction manuscripts. My clients include beginners all the way to NYT
bestselling authors in almost every genre from romance to YA, and historical to fantasy and
futuristic thrillers.
In my role as owner of FFS, I also manage a team of contracted freelance editors, an administrative
assistant, and a bookkeeper. FFS is entirely online, which makes communicating via email
essential. As owner, it is my job to set editorial standards for our services and to make sure that
working relationships between my freelancers and our clients are running smoothly.
Portfolio (16 selected works)
Any Other Night
Anne Pfeffer
FINALIST - Fiction and Young Adult Fiction 2013 National Indie Excellence AwardsAny other night, Ryan Mills would have driven his best friend, Michael, to Emily's sweet sixteen party at the Breakers Club. Instead, determined to win over the birthday girl, he goes to the party early and alone, setting off a chain of events that ends with Michael's death in a car accident.Ryan blames himself for... read more
The Wedding Cake Girl
Anne Pfeffer
Seventeen-year-old Alexandra spends so much time helping others realize their dreams that she never has time for her own. An expert ocean diver and reluctant maker of wedding cakes, she longs to leave roses and frosting behind to study oceanography. Alex’s mother won’t have it—needy and dependent, Mom can’t run the family wedding cake business on her own. No matter what Alex does, things only ... read more
Double Vision: A Quantum Suspense Novel
Randy Ingermanson
There’s a Code Even the NSA Can’t CrackBut Dillon Richard can. Dillon is a straight-arrow genius with Asperger’s syndrome. He’s never told a lie. He’s never been kissed. And he’s never had a badass quantum computer for cracking codes. Until now. In just a few days, Dillon will finish the software to crack the “unbreakable” code that banks and terrorists use to protect their most valuable secre... read more
Retribution: A Time-Travel Suspense Novel (City of God Book 3)
R.S. Ingermanson
What If …?What if you were studying for your Ph.D. in archaeology and somehow got trapped in first-century Jerusalem after a controversial physics experiment went horribly wrong?What if you knew the exact date when Roman troops would come sweeping into Jerusalem to crucify 3000 innocent people?What if you could save some of those people — not all of them, but you could save the ones you loved ... read more
Sweeter than Birdsong (A Saddler's Legacy Novel)
Rosslyn Elliott
Music offers Kate sweet refuge from her troubles . . . but real freedom is sweeter. In Westerville, Ohio, 1855, Kate Winter’s dreams are almost within reach. As the first woman to graduate from Otterbein College, she’ll be guaranteed her deepest wish: escape from the dark secret haunting her family. But with her mother determined to marry her off to a wealthy man, Kate must face reality. She h... read more
Iscariot: A Novel of Judas
Tosca Lee
Acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Tosca Lee brilliantly adapts the life of Judas Iscariot into a dazzling work of fiction—humanizing the man whose very name is synonymous with betrayal.Acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Tosca Lee brilliantly adapts the life of Judas Iscariot into a dazzling and award-winning work of fiction—humanizing the man whose very name is synonymous wi... read more
Havah: A Novel
Tosca Lee
New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Tosca Lee shares the “passionate and riveting story of the Bible’s first woman and her remarkable journey after being cast from paradise” (Publishers Weekly, starred review).Created, not born. Her name is Eve. Myth and legend shroud her in mystery. Now hear her story. She knew this earth when it was perfect—as she was perfect, a creature with... read more
Lovelier than Daylight (A Saddler's Legacy Novel)
Rosslyn Elliott
Susanna is a lady of principles who values family above all. Johann seems to represent all she despises . . . but appearances can be deceiving. In 1875, Susanna Hanby is headed off to college in Westerville, Ohio, when she discovers her sister Rachel and Rachel’s children have disappeared. Susanna suspects that Rachel’s alcoholic husband knows more than he’s saying and she vows to uncover the ... read more
Yesterday's Tomorrow
Catherine West
She’s after the story that might get her the Pulitzer. He’s determined to keep his secrets to himself. Vietnam 1967. Independent, career-driven journalist Kristin Taylor wants two things: to honor her father’s memory by becoming an award-winning overseas correspondent, and to keep tabs on her only brother, Teddy, who signed up for the war against their mother’s wishes. Brilliant photographer L... read more
Katie has lived through tragedy and heartache. But with the angel Elias by her side, the best years of her life are just ahead. A Heaven on Earth Novel, #3 When Katie Bender’s fiancé died in a tragic accident, so did her hope of finding love. Though heartbroken, Katie is also practical. In the years since the accident she has discovered her gift for teaching. But when a tornado destroys her sm... read more
Girls Love Travis Walker
Anne Pfeffer
WINNER -- Third Place for Fiction 2013 Indie Reader Discovery AwardsFINALIST-- New Fiction 2013 National Indie Excellence AwardsNamed one of the best indie books of 2013 by IndieReader.comFrom The Self-Publishing Review“ ….the title of this book had me expecting something very like a teen romance. While there is romance aplenty in this wonderful novel, Girls Love Travis Walker is far more than... read more
Family Interrupted
Linda Barrett
Guilt and Blame.Shaken by tragedy, the Barnes family has fractured. Mother. Father. Son. Each dealing with the pain separately and alone. Holding fast to guilt and blame. Read or imagined.Claire, an artist who finally follows her dream and encounters a nightmare. Jack, a home builder who thinks he can fix anything--except what matters most. And Ian, a teenage son to be proud of. Until he moves... read more
A Magical Key to Unlock Your Creative WizardAre you writing a novel, but having trouble getting your first draft written? You’ve heard of “outlining,” but that sounds too rigid for you. You’ve heard of “organic writing,” but that seems a bit squishy to you. Take a look at the wildly popular Snowflake Method—a battle-tested series of ten steps that jump-start your creativity and help you quickl... read more
Mistletoe Kisses: Part 2 (Inspy Kisses) (Volume 3)
Lisa Mondello, Margaret Daley, Camille Elliot, Cheryl Wyatt
The Inspy Kisses authors bring you a holiday novella collection - eight Christmas-themed novellas split into two 4-book anthologies. PART 2 includes: From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Mondello, a new contemporary romance The Gift: When Allison Jones finds a small envelope on the ground, CEO Derek Holden accuses her of stealing the money that was supposed to be inside. K... read more
Prelude for a Lord
Camille Elliot
Camille's latest Regency romance, "The Spinster's Christmas," is in the MISTLETOE KISSES anthology with 7 other Christian authors, amzn.com/B00ON4UXBUBath, England 1810At twenty-eight, Alethea Sutherton is past her prime for courtship; but social mores have never been her forté. She might be a lady, but she is first and foremost a musician.In Regency England, however, the violin is considered ... read more
Weddings and Wasabi
Camy Tang
Book 4 in the Sushi series After finally graduating with a culinary degree, Jennifer Lim is pressured by her family to work at her control-freak aunty's restaurant. But after a family dispute, Jenn is determined to no longer be a doormat and instead starts her own catering company. Her search for a wine merchant brings Edward Castillo into her life--a tall, dark, handsome biker in form-fitting... read more
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