Overview
I provide Developmental Editing for writers and publishers around the world. I assist both commercially published and self-published authors craft reader-attracting books and fan-satisfying series that win awards.
Commercial Success:
My writers have been successful in commercial publishing, by contracting with agents and being published by Simon and Schuster, Seventh Street Books, Kensington, and Martin Sisters Publishing. Client Susan Furlong was included in the New York Times list of "The 10 Best Crime Novels of the Year.”
Self-Publishing Success:
On the self-publishing front, Gary McAvoy and I began collaborating when he started his Magdalene Chronicles mystery series just a few years ago. He now has 14 books self-published, in three series, with 800 to 7,000 great reviews on each book on Amazon and has achieved Amazon’s “Top Best-Selling Author” status.
Award Winners:
Client Jim Hancock’s first book in his military thriller series was awarded a silver medal from the Military Writers Society of America; was a winner of Books Shelf 2023 Writing Awards; and achieved the Literary Titan Silver Book Award in 2024. He then became a finalist in the Adventure Writer's Competition, hosted by Dirk Cussler, son of Clive Cussler.
Specialties
Helping writers create a successful series is my greatest joy. I assist with continuity, tone, characterization, setting, plot, structure, pacing, and marketability. My specialties are:
* Mystery (from Cozy to Psychological Suspense)
* Science fiction (from soft to Military SF)
* Fantasy (from Urban to Epic)
* Adventures/Thriller (from Western to International Intrigue)
I help your story shine with your unique voice and vision.
Helping writers create a successful series is my greatest joy. My specialty is mystery, science fiction, fantasy, and adventures. I assist with continuity, tone, characterization, setting, plot, structure, pacing, marketability, etc.
I can help your story come to life so that your unique voice can shine. I'm here to help you, too!
Services
Fiction
Languages
Awards
- Writer's Digest's Top 50 Fiction Markets
Work experience
Crooked Lane Books
Crooked Lane Books publishes the highest quality crime fiction titles in both print and electronic editions and are distributed to the trade through Penguin Random House Publisher Services. As an on-call developmental editor, I was available for quick turn-around projects providing one round of edits along with an editorial letter as needed.
Self-employed
Coach and editor for fiction writers. I provide advice when we start a writing project together; coaching throughout the creative process; and detailed analysis and editing. We work together to create a strong and reader-attracting book and a fan-satisfying series.
Writers' International Forum
Edited an in-print magazine for an international base of fiction writers, writing many of the related informational articles. Provided critiques for submitted manuscripts.
Writers' International Forum was instrumental in helping authors to become more successful in their writing endeavors. It received recognition for the efforts of all of our staff when it placed in Writer's Digest's Top 50 Fiction Markets for three consecutive years.
Manufactured Homes Magazine
Edited special interest magazine for the manufactured homes industry. Contracted with writers in various fields; provided comprehensive editing and copy editing; and assisted in magazine layout and promotional materials.
BAE Information Systems Technology
Writer and editor for technical procedures manuals for multi-million dollar U.S. government contracts. Wrote over 250 resumes tailored to government contracts for logistical group. Provided critiques and editing for oral presentations to win government contracts.
Portfolio
Sandra has 116 reviews
Professionalism
Quality
Value
Responsiveness
Riaan S.
Dec, 2024
Pinned
Gary M.
Nov, 2024
Pinned
L.G. W.
May, 2024
Pinned
DrMalcolm U.
Mar, 2025
Musiclover A.
Feb, 2025
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