Edited By Susan
Author Services
Writing brainstorm
Stuck on a tricky plot point or character development? Have a new idea you’d like to explore before diving in? Schedule a call to brainstorm your book — get new ideas to help you keep writing or start your plotting process.
Editorial Assessment
Feel confident in your next steps with this high level review of your plot, character development, pacing, flow, and structure detailed by in-manuscript comments and queries.
Line Edit
Feel confident even in the most minor details of your manuscript by working with a line edit. Combing through the details of your story, the line edit makes sure everything reads as smoothly as possible, giving in-line feedback on sentence flow, word repetitions, scene continuity, paragraphs/scene transitions, language choice, and more.
Query Package
Get ready to send your project out to editors with the full query package, including: Query Letter Critique, Three Chapter Critique, and Synopsis Critique.
Developmental Edit
A developmental edit is an in-depth look at your story and scenes as a whole to make sure everything comes together and presents as the gripping tale you know it to be. This edit includes a full edit letter, in-line comments on the plot cohesion, character development, scene/story continuity and more.
The last glance*
After so many rounds of writing, rewriting, and editing, it can be hard to see the forest for the trees. Having an outside perspective on your story, one last look before you hit "send" or "publish," can be extremely beneficial. A lighter look than a line or developmental edit, this is a read through the story for any last-minute adjustments that might need to be made.
*For authors who have already been through a review or are publishing previously reviewed or published works.
The full treatment
Sign up for the full treatment, which includes both a line and developmental edit before you hit send. *Best Value*
““Susan was just a marvel to work with. From our first communication to the submission of her edits she was always very clear and concise as to what to expect and how she frames her suggestions. Her suggestions and edits were insightful, on the mark, and really helped me view a manuscript I’ve looked over thousands of times, in a new light.””
Be Your Own Book Editor
Take Your Story from First to Final Draft In Six Weeks or Less
WHEN:
Enrollment for Be Your Own Book Editor will open again soon. Sign up for our newsletter below to be the first to find out more!
https://susanbarnesediting.podia.com/be-your-own-book-editor
WHAT:
Be Your Own Book Editor is an online course that walks fiction authors through the core process of a developmental edit—editing and strengthening their story to help take their manuscript from first draft to final in six weeks or less so they can pitch or pursue publishing with confidence.
As a fiction editor with over ten years of experience working with authors at every stage of their career – brand new authors to USA Today and NYT Bestsellers — I know how vital the editing process is to crafting a great book. But while it is always useful to have a professional developmental editor critique a story, it isn’t always realistic for every author, whether because of timeline, budget, or process.
I’ve created Be Your Own Book Editor so that every author can have great editing resources at their fingertips. This course takes the overwhelming story editing process and simplifies it into six straightforward, self-guided modules for authors to follow as they prepare their story for pitching or publishing.
WHO:
I created Be Your Own Book Editor after talking with so many authors who wanted expert editing advice, but either couldn't afford it, didn’t have the time for it, or just wanted to better their craft without having to pay for a full edit. I created it to help fiction authors through the core process of editing and strengthening their story to take their manuscript from first draft to final in six weeks so they can pitch or pursue publishing with confidence.
WHERE:
Be Your Own Book Editor is an online course, so you can enjoy it (and implement it) right from where you are!
You’ll receive access to the first module and each subsequent lesson will be delivered each week after that. This way, you can consume the content in your own time.
That being said, you aren’t in this alone! You will also receive access to the Be Your Own Book Editor Facebook group, so you can connect with Susan for questions, as well as other authors just like you!
A bit more about me:
Susan Barnes is a fiction editor and coach who helps authors—both traditional and indie—find their voice and strengthen their story so that they can publish with confidence and grow their author career.
She has worked in publishing for over ten years with traditional, indie, apps, debut, and USA Today and NYT Bestselling authors. She is a member of the EFA, ACES, the CWiP, and a graduate of the NYU Publishing Program.
She resides in the suburbs of Chicago with her husband and black lab, Moose, where she enjoys binge-watching dramas, singing (badly), and reading (no surprise there).
You can find and follow her online at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/susanbarnesediting
Instagram: @susanbarnesediting
Twitter: @sbarnesq2
What does be your own book editor include?
WHY Be Your Own Book Editor?
I created this course because editing can be expensive and time consuming, and I want every author to have the ability to make their book as strong as it can be, as well as learn how to make book two (and beyond) even bigger and better.
If you want to strengthen your story and receive access to years of publishing knowledge without taking years and spending thousands, be sure to join us in Be Your Own Book Editor!
https://susanbarnesediting.podia.com/be-your-own-book-editor
| Be Your Own Book Editor Club | Facebook support group |
|---|---|
| Book Editor Framework | Proprietary method for mapping out your edits and revision plan |
| Market Assessment Strategy | Step-by-step plan to assess competitors, market expectations, and audience |
| Core Developmental Pillars | Lessons on the key pillars of storytelling (Story Structure, Dialogue, Voice, Worldbuilding, and more) |
| Revision Exercises | Revision exercises to spot key issues and solutions |
| Worksheets, planners, etc. | Worksheets, planners, checklists and more |
| Story Hook Framing | Creating and solidifying your story hook for revision and pitching |
| Mindset and Goal Creation Webinar | Get where you want to go by knowing where you are and where you need to be |
Be Your Own Book Editor FAQs
What is different about Be Your Own Book Editor?
There are many great resources out there to help authors better their craft, but with Be your own book editor, you will benefit from Susan’s knowledge of 10+ years in the publishing industry—both indie and traditional—all in one place, with a guided plan and a community to help you along the way.
How long do I have access to Be Your Own Book Editor? How long will it take?
A great benefit to This course is that you will have lifetime access to the resources, so the course can not only help you with this story, but can support you in your author career as you continue to write and publish. Following the guided path, Be your own book editor takes six weeks, but you can move forward at your own speed!
What if I’ve never edited a book before?
Whether this is your first book or your tenth, be your own book editor has something for everyone. Walking you through a concrete plan of how to figure out what you need to change and why, this course can help you strengthen your current story and better understand your process for future books as well.
Book coaching
We can help you get to “The End”
WHAT:
Book coaching is a partnership to help get your story on the page. It’s support from me and my team to help you push yourself to the next level of your writing and author career, whether you are self-publishing or going the traditional route.
We can help you get to “The End” for the first time, get to “The End” faster, or write more “The Ends” —more books, especially for those of you looking to enhance and accelerate your self-publishing career.
WHO:
Book coaching can help authors at any stage in their career! You can benefit from expert advice along the way to:
Meet or exceed your writing goals
Increase your writing speed
Reduce your editing time
Strengthen your writing for this book and beyond
It is never too early or too late to invest in your author career and take the next steps to making your writing even bigger and better. SBE coaching is one-on-one support with Susan that is tailored to your specific needs. So whether you are just learning the difference between showing and telling, or you are on book ten and are ready to streamline your process from one book a year to three, SBE is here to help!
WHY Choose Book Coaching?
Having support while you write and create can help you not only stay on track, but push yourself to the next level, find a support system— a partnership on your writing journey—and save yourself a ton of editorial work down the road.
I know the old saying of “only you can write your story” feels cliched but it is so true, something that I truly believe. Even if you feel like you are writing in a crowded market, your experiences make your story unique. And if you’re craving that story, if it feels like it needs to get out of your head and onto the page, I can guarantee someone else is out there, excited to read it.
And we’d love to help you make that a reality.
Coaching tiers
Starter - $300/month
| Monthly Chapter Review | Up to 5,000 words per chaper |
|---|---|
| Accountability | Bi-weekly check in emails |
| Goals | Template for writing your goals and plan |
| Planning | Daily and monthly planner pages |
| SBE Courses | Full access to SBE courses with three-month commitment |
| 1:1 Meetings | Monthly call with Susan to discuss story, brainstorm changes, and review drafts |
Pro - $600/month
| Monthly Chapter Review | Up to 10,000 words per chaper |
|---|---|
| Accountability | Weekly check in emails |
| Goals | Customized writing plan based on current story/writing goals |
| Planning | Daily and monthly planner pages |
| SBE Courses | Full access to SBE courses |
| 1:1 Meetings | Bi-weekly call with Susan to discuss story, brainstorm changes, and review drafts |
| Editorial Assessment | Free editorial assessment of full draft once completed |
| Editing Discounts | Discounts on future edits, if needed |
Elite - $1200/month
| Bi-weekly Chapter Review | Up to 10,000 words per chaper |
|---|---|
| Accountability | Weekly check in emails |
| Goals | Customized writing plan based on current story/writing goals |
| Planning | Daily and monthly planner pages |
| SBE Courses | Full access to SBE courses |
| 1:1 Meetings | Weekly call with Susan to discuss story, brainstorm changes, and review drafts |
| Developmental Edit | Free developmental edit of full draft once completed |
| Editing Discounts | Discounts on future edits, if needed |
| Market Assessment | Creation of a market assessment for your genre |
Book Coaching FAQs
How long does book coaching take?
SBE book coaching works with your schedule and goals! Maybe you need that push for accountability and jumping past writer’s block for three months in the summer. Or maybe you are starting a brand new book and want real-time feedback as you write and revise over the next year.
Each author journey is different, so SBE coaching has different tiers that can be tailored to your needs. Since the Coaching is on a month-to-month basis, you can choose what timeline works best for you.
Do i need book coaching as a new author? ?
Book coaching can be a great help to new or experienced authors that are ready to take their writing and author journey to the next level and want one-on-one support along that journey. Whether you need some accountability to get your book written or want specific feedback on a certain aspect of publishing, coaching can help make that happen.
That being said, every author journey is different! There are a lot of options on how to grow your author career. If you aren’t sure if book coaching is right for you, let’s connect to discuss!
Which coaching tier is best for me?
Great question! each tier is built to serve authors with different priorities and budgets. reach out today to tell me a bit more about your goals and we can create a coaching plan to best suit your needs.
Can I start in one tier and then move up or down to another later?
Definitely! SBE coaching is meant to be tailored for all seasons of an author’s journey, growing and changing with you as needed. The level of support you’ll need will vary in the different stages of your publishing path, so I absolutely recommend to adjust your coaching tier based on your needs.
about
Whether you have a full novel or just the spark of a great idea, Susan Barnes Editing is here to help turn your publishing goals into a reality.
Sharing your novel with the world can be a nerve-wracking and intimidating endeavor, but it doesn’t have to be. From book brainstorming all the way to final, “last glance” edits, Susan can guide you through the steps of crafting your novel, helping your vision transition to the page.
Susan specializes in fantasy, romance, and science fiction, but is open to editing any commercial fiction genre.
Reach out for a quote and a free sample edit today!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Susan moved to New York City to get paid to read books all day. After editing science fiction, fantasy, and commercial fiction for Orbit and Redhook (Hachette Book Group), she decided to move back to her home roots of Chicago and continue her passion for fiction with freelance editing. When she's not reading, which does occasionally happen, Susan loves taking long walks with her pup, attempting to garden, and watching movies with the biggest bowl of popcorn and Coke she can find.
interested in a free sample edit or working with susan? Fill out the contact form below!
Have a publishing question? Email us at admin [at] susanbarnesediting.com.
Susan Barnes Editing YouTube Channel
Check out my YouTube channel for writing tips, publishing advice, book recommendations, and more!
