Services | Writing Pursuits

Writing Pursuits Services

Choose the service that works best for your budget. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation today!

Hourly

Substantive Editing

Substantive editing concentrates on the big picture of a completed manuscript. Notes are provided to the author, but no changes are made directly to the manuscript.

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hourly

Line Editing

Line editing is the polishing step. The major revisions are complete. This is a time-intensive process, and if your story is not ready, paying for a line edit is a huge waste of money. If your manuscript is complete, you may submit it for appraisal. If accepted, you will receive a free sample edit and an estimate.

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hourly

Copy Editing

A copy edit should come after you make your last revisions following the line edit because new errors are introduced during the revision process. A copy edit focuses on eliminating the “PUGS”—errors in Punctuation, Usage, Grammar, and Spelling.
If we agree that your manuscript is ready for copy editing, you will receive a free sample edit and estimate.

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fixed – $149

First Chapter Analysis

Up to 5,000 words

Thoughtful read through of your first chapter
Completed First Chapter Rubric
60-minute Zoom call to discuss your chapter
30 days of follow-up email communication

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fixed – $99

General Fiction Troubleshooting

Up to 5,000 words per session.

Thoughtful read through of your chapter, scenes, or synopsis
60-minute Zoom call to discuss your passage
Recording of Zoom call for your reference
Topics we may discuss include: characterization, genre expectations, world building Three Cs, and more.

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fixed – $1,499

Story Diagnostic

Up to 60,000 words. $275 for each additional 10,000 words.

Thoughtful read through of entire manuscript
Completed Story Rubric (See FAQ below.)
60-minute Zoom call to discuss your manuscript
Recording of Zoom call for your reference
Unlimited follow-up email communication
Free digital download of THREE STORY METHOD by J. Thorn
Guaranteed completion in 45 days or less

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Services FAQs

What do you mean by “First Chapter Rubric?

The First Chapter Rubric is a way to evaluate the first chapter of your novel and is based on the Story Rubric created by J. Thorn. You can try it for yourself by downloading it from here. Want my input? Sign up for the First Chapter Analysis service above.

What do you mean by “Story Rubric?”

The Story Rubric is simply a means of evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of a manuscript including: Genre, Character, Worldbuilding, Wants & Needs, Showing vs. Telling, Passive Voice, Theme, and The Three Cs.
The Story Rubric, created by J. Thorn, is used by all Three Story Method Certified Editors to streamline the editing and revision process for short and long form fiction.

What is a Story Diagnostic?

The Story Diagnostic is the featured service at Writing Pursuits. It is based on the Three Story Method, created by J. Thorn, and only offered by Three Story Method Certified Editors. Get an unbiased assessment of your manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses through a comprehensive Story Rubric.

The assessment covers:
Character (characterization, dialogue, protagonist’s wants and needs, character arc)
Genre (expectations, setting/world building)
Style (emotional tone, theme, pacing)
Mechanics (showing vs. telling, passive voice, other issues)
Plot
Conflict
Choice
Consequence
No edits are made directly to your document.
The Story Diagnostic service includes:
Thoughtful read through of entire manuscript
Completed Story Rubric (see Services)
Unlimited follow-up email communication
Recorded 60-minute Zoom or Google Meet call
Free digital download of THREE STORY METHOD
Guaranteed completion in 60 days or less

What is a substantive edit?

A substantive edit tackles the big issues to help you avoid spending money on a line edit before your story is ready. No edits are made directly to your document, but comments may be inserted to aid communication.
The editor will act as a consultant on your project’s premise, content, and organization, including the following topics: character, plot, setting, point of view, theme, and style.
Entire scenes and chapters may need to be rearranged, rewritten, or eliminated. This step is critical to the future success of your novel. If you have experienced critique partners, then you may have garnered most of the benefits of a substantive edit. If there’s any doubt about the end result, don’t just hope for the best. Devote the necessary funds to this process.

What are your rates?

Unless otherwise stated, my hourly rate is $50 USD.

Do you offer line edits?

Line edits are available on a case-by-case basis. Many manuscripts are not ready for a line edit; my goal is to save clients from spending money on this service before the foundational work is done. No incomplete manuscripts will be accepted.

Do you offer line services for languages other than English?

Unfortunately, I only offer services in the English language; however, I have worked successfully with writers from the US, the UK, and Canada.

What forms of payments do you accept?

All work is invoiced through PayPal in US Dollars. PayPal processes many forms of payment. For most projects, half of the estimate is due before work begins.

Testimonials

Is your first chapter ready? Be confident!

What if you had a resource to help you figure out the strengths and weaknesses of your first chapter? An objective, informative rubric to go by?

If your first chapter doesn’t work for the reader, then you probably have lost a customer for life. Or a chance to sign an agent and get published.

Don’t leave things to chance.

This rubric will help you identify the problem areas in your first chapter and figure out how to fix them.

Be ready for queries. Be ready for readers. Get the results you dream about.

Send me a copy