Unlike a critique, editing identifies grammar, syntax and spelling issues and makes recommendations for (or does) text changes. (I will NOT rewrite your words - that is work for a ghostwriter.) All work should be submitted via email in a Word file format, which will allow you to 'track' and see all recommended changes.
Handwritten manuscripts are not accepted.
Prices vary and depend on number of pages of your manuscript, its subject, and your required turnaround time.
Email for a quote, putting 'Editing Inquiry' in your subject line:
donovan@sonic.net
Feedback for My Editing Work:
Marlene Cheng author, 74 Cubes of Sugar:: "Diane Donovan is a very knowledgeable editor. She delivers what she promises, and does so professionally and most pleasantly. She’s a pleasure to work with." -- Marlene Cheng, author of Our Broken Bonds and 74 Cubes of Sugar.
Azmaira H. Maker, Ph.D., author, Family Changes: Explaining Divorce to Children: "Diane recently edited a children's picture story book for me and did a fabulous job! Diane was very thorough, detailed, and clear in her edits. The edits really tightened up the text and sharpened the book content. It was exactly what I needed, and I would absolutely use Diane again for book editing. Diane was also very reliable and prompt in her responses and delivering the edits. I have used other editors in the past, and I feel Diane has delivered the best job yet. I highly recommend Diane for her editing services."
John Turnbull, author, The Historical Jesus: "Dear Diane, You have taught me why an author should not evaluate his or her own work. Your review of my 155,000 word transcript dealing with a very complex subject was so accurate it brought tears to my eyes; your critique in which you accurately pointed out its strengths and weaknesses, together with proposals that would correct the deficiency, was invaluable; as was your editing which greatly improved its sentence structure and made it so much easier for laypersons to understand. You were a guiding light in a sea of darkness and I cannot thank you enough for what you did."
Vivek Sardana (author of Straight From the Gut): "I had a wonderful experience working with Diane Donovan on my maiden book project related to my personal memoirs. With years of experience, her honest feedback and proposed suggestions were both exceptionally helpful and extremely insightful. From grammar and writing style to overall plot and story progression, she helped convert an amateur piece into a professional product. I will certainly seek her help in my future writing projects and would highly recommend her services to other aspiring writers. A thorough professional with the highest standards for timeliness and quality, it was a real pleasure to work with Diane."
Andrew Armacost (author of Poor Man's Guide): "Diane proved a highly value-added component of my overall writing process, helping to question my assumptions, smooth over bumps in my story arc, and identify imperfections in my prose on a line-by-line basis. Taking this external objective step in the process was the difference between presenting a project that I was passionate about, and presenting a PROFESSIONAL project that I felt passionate about."