Ray Rhamey - Editor

I’ve been editing book-length commercial fiction for about fourteen years, working with authors around the world, including in the U.S., Sweden, Greece, Mexico, and Lebanon. My authors have ranged from hard science fiction to epic fantasy to humor to romantic suspense. I offer a free critique of your first chapter or prologue that includes line-editing of the first five pages. The reason is to see if my approach resonates with you and if your project is something I believe I can help you with--t I don't take every project that comes in. My editing is substantive/developmental and includes detailed line editing.

And I’m an author of commercial fiction – my genres (so far) are speculative fiction, science fiction, coming-of-age mystery, and paranormal satire/humor. Dealing with the same challenges you face in your writing informs my editing and the suggestions I make. Before devoting myself to fiction, as a professional writer I've earned a good living in advertising, screenwriting, and web content.

I’m also the author of ‘Mastering the Craft of Compelling Storytelling,’ non-fiction on writing craft. I teach writing craft workshops at writers conferences, primarily in the U.S. but also at the San Miguel Writers Conference in Mexico. I’ve written a blog on writing craft, Flogging the Quill (floggingthequill.com) for fourteen years. And I’ve been a monthly contributor to the fabulous Writer Unboxed blog (writerunboxed.com) for about twelve years.

WHAT MY AUTHORS SAY

A number of my clients come back again and again--for 3 novels, for 4, for 5, and I've worked with one writer, who is also an editor, on 8 of her novels. Here are some endorsements:

“I'd combed over my manuscript countless times (I’m also an editor). I’d asked my eight critique partners to read and edit it for me. And then I sent it to Ray. I was shocked at how many things he found that the nine of us had missed. Big things, like timeline inconsistencies and places where I’d typed the wrong name. Little things, like typos and repeated words. I was so pleased with Ray’s edit that I came back to him for the other novels in the series “

“Ray always pushes me to make my work better. Although I’ve been a professional editor since the seventies, I would never send my own words into the world without an expert looking over my shoulder. I had to find a professional whose style meshed with mine—and someone who knew what he was doing. I queried only editors willing to provide a sample of their work. As soon as I read Ray’s take on my latest Carolina Coast novel, Heavy Weather, I knew he was good. His edit aimed his blowtorch at a chapter or two, his shears at the ending, and a fine-tooth comb at individual sentences. I was so pleased with his professionalism and eagle eye I hired him for my entire series.”

"Some editors try to impose their own style and taste upon a writer's work. Ray doesn't. His job is to make you the best writer you can be. He has an eagle eye for plot inconsistencies--the minor (and sometimes major) goofs that make a reader stumble. His suggestions were invariably helpful in polishing my manuscript. I recommend Ray to any writer who wants a professional, sharp, and considerate editor."

"I'm quite stunned, really. because your edit and advice are so utterly fantastic! I paid for an edit of a different novel a few years ago and was thoroughly disappointed, but you really hit the mark with everything you said (and you spotted straight away one of my main weaknesses: scene-setting—I can see it in my head and struggle to get it onto the page!). I was really blown away.”

"Ray pays attention. He invested more work, more expertise, and more insight than I have learned to expect from editors. His observations on everything from sentence construction to story line showed me where I wasn't doing what I intended. His suggestions were helpful in simplifying the narrative and isolating problems. He was able to see where I was saying too much and where I had said too little. He brought my attention to factual details that needed research. He spotted lazy word usage. He kept me aware of the work's strengths as well as its weaknesses. In short, Ray brought understanding, curiosity, and a broad competence to his task. I was paid to edit for a number of years, and I fully recognize the focus and intensity that Ray gives to the job."

"When I finished writing my novel, I knew I needed a pair of experienced eyes. I sent my manuscript to Ray, and when I received his edit, I was simply amazed. Apart from his fantastic editing, Ray gave me an intensive and comprehensive lesson on writing. He improved the pace of my story, pointed out errors in grammar, plot, and point of view. His critique was honest, encouraging, and straightforward. Ray does not hold back. I recommend Ray to all serious writers in search of keen eyes to dissect their manuscripts and make them the best they can be."

“Ray's editing has been invaluable in helping me clarify my story, tighten the pace, and deepen the characters. His advice is apt and considerate to my writing style. Ray has not only helped me improve my story, but has also helped me improve as a writer. “

“What should I thank you for the most? Being always there for me to hammer you with questions? Encouraging and coaching me? Teaching me the ropes in a way no business-weary pro would? Going way beyond our agreement and your duties just to make sure everything was the best it could be? Giving me fair and blunt criticism at all times? Suggesting ways to fix the many problems you pointed out? No. That would be incomplete. It would only recognize you as the professional that you are. I want to thank you for making polishing my book--given the shape of the first draft, a daunting and apparently impossible job--a real pleasure.”