I can't promise that publishers will sit up and take notice. I can't promise that you'll sell millions of copies. But I can promise that you will become a better writer, and your book will be a better book. And usually that's what makes publishers take notice and readers buy books. If you're an aspiring novelist or nonfiction narrative writer and you need some help, you've come to the right place. But you do have a choice--if you want someone to come along and tell you all the rules and formulas and tricks of the trade, get you to conform to that conventional wisdom, and then line edit you into nice, innocuous phrases, you're in the wrong building.

Because editing should be empowering.

It makes you a better you, and your book a better your book. That's not to say there aren't clear rules of craft, or things that make a story work or not; there are. But they all have to be understood within the context of author and story. So I will not be imposing my own framework of good and bad; I instead see the frame that you as author are trying to build, and suggest ways to make it more sound, able to bear the weight of the story and enchant the reader.

Genres--both fiction and non-fiction--in which I consider myself pretty fluent (meaning, this is the place for you): If you're writing anything else (like any kind of romance fiction, inspirational women's fiction, devotionals, 10-steps-to-a-better's and other how-to's), I'm probably not your best choice, and if you're looking for advice on the publishing journey like queries and proposals and finding an agent, that's not my focus. If I've just stranded you with that sentence, consider the services offered by The Editorial Department, as well as the writing spa, the fiction fix-it shop, the story sensei, or my book therapy.

Andy has taken my writing from good to great. He's pushed me far beyond what I thought I could accomplish in my stories. He's smart, wise, instinctive, and spot on in his editorial assessments. If I could have every single book I ever write edited by Andy, I would be truly satisfied. - Mary DeMuth, author of Daisy Chain, A Slow Burn and the memoir Thin Places

First, we'll have an initial consultation to evaluate your writing skill and if I will be a good fit as your mentor. I reference "your manuscript" here as if it is finished, but it can be even the very first rough draft of the very first chapter that you threw together the night before. Mentoring is about making that stuff better.

For fiction: submit no more than 5000 words of your manuscript, along with a short description of genre and intended audience. You will receive a full critique of the first few scenes of your manuscript. You'll get feedback on dialogue, characters, fictional density, dramatization vs. exposition, sensory description, point-of-view, and more.

For nonfiction: submit a 2000-3000 word sample of the manuscript, a statement of intended audience and a detailed synopsis of your work (or, for narrative nonfiction, submit up to 5000 words, no synopsis needed). You'll get feedback on your prose--rhythm, tone, efficacy--the originality of your ideas, and the flow of the synopsis.

The cost of this service is $60.

After the initial evaluation, if you decide you want to keep working together, I can help you analyze your manuscript at any stage of its development. You might have only a few scenes written. You might have the whole thing finished. Whatever state it is in, we can find a way for me to come alongside and help. This is a non-intrusive process where I provide you with extensive notes on your strengths and your weaknesses, comments throughout the manuscript, and email or phone availability for clarification.

My prices are based on your manuscript's word count, and are adjusted so that if you bring the same manuscript back to me in a later version, you'll pay only half of the cost for revision follow-up reads. Because I want you to come back. Editing can be done in a vacuum but it's best done in conversation. So in the end you'll get more than just a one-shot content edit--you'll see yourself growing even before you're done.

Cost is $200/10K words for the first read; $100/10K words for any re-reads after revisions*

If you're just starting out on a manuscript (even if it's your tenth one) and you want more than just a revision letter at the end of the book, then consider my unique mentoring service. This is more than just revision, this is a customized track to discuss the writing process as well as the revision process. This is an exclusive line of communication with your own personal editor, your own artistic counselor, your own manuscript coach. Imagine a workshop where you're the only student. Or a weekly newsletter where every article gives examples from your manuscript.

If you're serious about your next manuscript and you're ready to be challenged in your writing process, to grow in your understanding of the craft and reach new heights in your art, contact me and we'll set up a customized plan for you.

Cost: $300/month or per 10K words*

Contact me for more information and to inquire about my availability. I'm normally booked several months in advance; however, I may have greater availability if you come to me through The Editorial Department. You can also find many other experienced and skilled editors there.

Andy Meisenheimer is more than an editor. He's a devoted student of the craft, a mentor, a teacher, a storyteller, a real pro--one with the rare ability to coax more out of a story than its teller ever imagined. I trusted Andy with both of my novels and he made them better...and he did so without sacrificing my original vision or voice. He stretched my thinking, sometimes till it hurt. But I'm a better writer today because of Andy. - Michael Snyder, author of My Name Is Russell Fink and Return Policy

*for purposes of payment, charges are based on an equivalent per-word price to an accurate word count. Payment is required in advance for new clients; the mentoring service monthly fee is due at the beginning of each month. At the end of the mentoring service, if monthly fees have not covered word count fees there will be a final charge.

Copyright 2009 Andrew Meisenheimer