Overview
I am an avid reader, (life-long) writer, and developmental editor of science fiction and fantasy. I grew up on a diet of Battlestar Galactica, Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Monkey, and Robin of Sherwood (to name but a few) and always imagined that by the time I reached adulthood there would be day trips to the moon and/or Mars.
I have been editing since 2014, but I have been writing stories for as long as I can remember. I have not yet published, but I am working on my first novel.
Since 2014, I have edited over 100 books (138 at the last count, although not all of them have been published). Many of my clients are new authors, so while editing, I am also coaching and mentoring, with a view to helping clients attain the high standards expected in a published book.
I work very closely with my clients and have an exceptional memory when it comes to plot and character details (up to about a year). This comes in handy when we are working on a series, although I make copious notes on everything as a backup. I encourage questions because I would hate for anyone to sit and struggle with something when I can (usually) answer straight away.
My ideal client is an author who wants the best for their book, who can take my suggestions 'on the chin', but who isn't afraid to tell me if I misinterpret something (which can happen - usually a tweak of the wording fixes this though). My aim is to work 'with' an author, not dictate to them.
I have been editing since 2014, but I have been writing stories for as long as I can remember. I have not yet published, but I am working on my first novel.
Since 2014, I have edited over 100 books (138 at the last count, although not all of them have been published). Many of my clients are new authors, so while editing, I am also coaching and mentoring, with a view to helping clients attain the high standards expected in a published book.
I work very closely with my clients and have an exceptional memory when it comes to plot and character details (up to about a year). This comes in handy when we are working on a series, although I make copious notes on everything as a backup. I encourage questions because I would hate for anyone to sit and struggle with something when I can (usually) answer straight away.
My ideal client is an author who wants the best for their book, who can take my suggestions 'on the chin', but who isn't afraid to tell me if I misinterpret something (which can happen - usually a tweak of the wording fixes this though). My aim is to work 'with' an author, not dictate to them.
Services
Fiction
Fantasy
Plays & Screenplays
Science Fiction
Urban Fantasy
Languages
English (AUS)
English (CAN)
English (NZ)
English (UK)
English (US)
Awards
- Grave Measures by R.R.Virdi - Dragon Award-Nomination finalist
- Grave Dealings by R.R. Virdi - Dragon Award-Nomination finalist
- Age of Order by Julian North - awarded a starred review by Kirkus
Certifications
- BA English Literature with creative writing (Hons)
- Developmental Editing - Introduction (Editorial Freelancers Association)
- Developmental Editing - Intermediate (Editorial Freelancers Association)
- Developmental Editing - Advanced (Editorial Freelancers Association)
- Book Mapping (Editorial Freelancers Association)
- Copy Editing (Society of Editors and Proofreaders))
- Ongoing professional developing: reading, writing articles
- Current paid up member of the Editorial Freelancers Association (to August 2019)
Work experience
Self-employed
Apr, 2014 —
Present
Michelle Dunbar Editing Services was established in 2014. I chose to specialise in Science Fiction and Fantasy (and developmental editing) as these are the genres/editing level I am interested in.
I work with full-length novels. although I do occasionally edit a short story or novella. I also provide formatting services.
My developmental editing service includes three reads and two edits, so you have the opportunity to work on your manuscript after the first round, and also have it rechecked. I do not, however, copy edit.
Hawkins Publishing Group
Aug, 2013 —
Jun, 2014
(10 months)
I was an online intern and was involved in assessing submitted manuscripts and then had the opportunity to assist with first-round edits of three successful manuscripts.
Blue Cat Screenwriting Contest
Jan, 2012 —
Jan, 2012
(less than a minute)
A short screenplay I submitted to this contest was shortlisted (top 10 per cent) before being knocked out of the next stage of the contest.
Open University (UK)
Oct, 2009 —
Jun, 2015
(over 5 years)
Undergraduate student at the Open University. I studied modules in creative writing and English Literature.
Portfolio
To get close to her, he will have to betray all his principles...Forced into a bitter dismissal of his Incanta, Reviver Amond grudgingly sets out to find another, but his cynicism cracks as he chances upon an innocent girl with a pure voice.His luck, however, ... read more
Does a father who abandoned his family deserve a second chance?Can an unwanted daughter restore her faith in men?Or has Billie already sabotaged her chance at first love?After her parents' divorce, introverted Billie Dixon buries herself in her studies. Her pl... read more
A girl of fire should never fall for a man of ice.When Lyvie accepts a silly bet to kiss a random Reviver in the Tower of Whims, she doesn’t know the first thing about men. Then she chances upon one who becomes her obsession.In hot pursuit of a man as handsome... read more
For the first time in its history, Tevenar is at war. The Matriarch of Ramunna, furious with the wizards she believes betrayed her, has sent the Armada to conquer and destroy. Armed with a secret weapon that makes them the unchallenged terror of the seas, the ... read more
Wizards have returned to Ravanetha a thousand years after the Mother took her power away. Josiah and Elkan must deal with the overwhelming need for their healing powers, and that's just the beginning. The Matriarch, desperate for an heir, seeks to control them... read more
Two lands, separated for a millennium by divine decree. Each holds the key to the other’s survival.The Matriarch of Ramunna needs an heir. Only the lost healing magic of the ancient wizards can help her conceive and bear the daughter who will ensure Ramunna’s ... read more
Wizards have returned to Ravanetha a thousand years after the Mother took her power away. Josiah and Elkan must deal with the overwhelming need for their healing powers, and that's just the beginning. The Matriarch, desperate for an heir, seeks to control them... read more
Darkness rules her life. A Daemon craves her body and heart.Cytriah's songs can enslave souls in dead bodies. It's not a gift, or a curse.It's what's expected of girls born on Daemon-controlled Malvaar Island, where failure is punishable with the worst any wom... read more
Tim’s a nerd, Julie’s popular, Billy’s a jock, and Rose is quirky. You can find teens like them at any high school in America. So why has a mysterious time-traveler chosen them to take on the Emperors of Time? To fix the damage they’ve caused, the four teens m... read more
A thrilling new adult dystopian adventure...All her life, adrenaline-junkie Keelie Lin-Sykes has known what she wants: to protect her brother and sisters by killing as many of the soulless Enhanced Ones as she can. Oh, and to have fun while she's doing it. Aft... read more
LOVE. DEATH. SACRIFICE.THE LAST NIGHT HAS BEGUN.Seven Sarr, the most powerful human in the world, is alive--and she's on the run from her enemy. With the Dream Land gone, the Gods and Goddesses dead, and the Untamed's number of Seers at a record low, Seven kno... read more
EXPLOITATION. MANIPULATION. DESPERATION.Having been tricked into binding herself to the Enhanced Ones in the War of Humanity, Untamed human Seven Sarr has never felt more exploited or used. When Raleigh forces her to develop her Seer powers and use them on a m... read more
Blood soaks the soil of America as the new civil war rages. A seemingly unstoppable wave of darkness is sweeping down from Manhattan to consume the nation. The last vestiges of genuine freedom are dimming as the South’s rag tag army is decimated by defection a... read more
If you are not at the top, you are at the bottom.In the heart of Orderist Manhattan darkness strikes. In a single night, the president and many of his supporters are killed. Order must be restored. The innocent will pay the price.For some among the elite, orde... read more
2016 Finalist - DragonCon Dragon Awards -- Best Fantasy (Paranormal)Finalist alongside, Jim Butcher, Larry Correia, N.K. Jemisin, James Osiris Baldwin, and Dave Freer.What do shadows darting across the walls, cryptic writing, black fog, and a little girl who c... read more
"His stuff is badass!" – New York Times bestselling author, Hugo-nominee, and two-time Dragon Award-winner, Larry Correia.Don't make deals with the paranormal. They're better at it than you, and they never play fair.Paranormal investigator and soul without a b... read more
"The Vampire Wants a Wife was a fun, corky and totally British read that will make you wish supernaturals were really out there looking for love and one was your match." - USA Today Bestselling Author, Kimberly Knight."The Vampire Wants a Wife is a fast-paced,... read more
Bitten by a werewolf. Taught by a vampire. At this rate, she’s going to start a war.Literature major Jordan Abbey ordered a double mocha latte, but it wasn't supposed to come with a side order bite by a love-sick werewolf. When a vampire comes to her rescue, g... read more
You can ask Joe Ballen anything, except to give up.Joe Ballen dreams of returning to space, but after an accident left him half-crippled, those days are over. Luckily for Joe, Geneering gave him new limbs. Better than nothing, but not enough to allow him to go... read more
An illegal mind-restructuring drug threatens chaos. A black ops team searches for the source. Lock Harford is only one of two ‘Shifters’ – capable of moving through a different dimension using the power of thought and invaluable to military and intelligence or... read more
All Josiah wants is a little excitement. His work as an apprentice fuller is boring, and playing in the mill’s machinery isn’t that dangerous. Everything goes fine—at first.All right, he’s lucky the wizard Elkan and his familiar, a donkey named Sar, are there ... read more
Illusional Reality romantic fantasy. ‘Romance, Magic, Action…Illusional Reality has it all.’ Emily Woodmansee Nobody expects to stare death in the face only to find out your entire life is a lie. Rescued by Salco, marketing executive Becky finds herself in an ... read more
2017 Dragon Award-nominated novel for Best Fantasy (Paranormal)Jonathan Hawthorne has lived over a century beholden to one rule: do not meddle in mortal affairs. He's broken it twice. So when he crosses paths with Cassidy Winters, he's forced to interfere agai... read more
“Readers will be transfixed by this novel” — Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review). Daniela Machados can run. She’s the track star of Bronx City and an ace student, but that isn’t enough for a nope like her to get out of the barrio.The Orderist movement has spawned ... read more
Arranged marriages. Evil spirits. Devastating lies.After the terrible battle against the Enhanced Ones, Seven and Corin find themselves on the run. With the Enhanced closing in, Seven knows they need to find other people on their side. So, when the opportunity... read more
Another day, another hijacked body. And just 13 hours to solve a murder… “His stuff is badass!” —Larry Correia, New York Times bestselling authorDetective Vincent Graves has made a habit of dying. Waking up in someone else’s body isn’t pleasant, especially whe... read more
