Manuscript Consultations, Developmental Editing, Copy Editing, Proofreading, and Answers to Your Questions

Instead of offering Scintillating Starts as a contest, we’re turning it into an opportunity that’s available whenever you need it. Send me a brief note about your needs along with an elevator pitch if you have one. Tell me the number of words in the opening. I’ll write back telling you how quickly I can get to your opening and what the fee will be. I usually respond to submissions within 2-3 weeks, sometimes sooner, barring unforeseen circumstances, and I’ll tell you what I LOVE, what TRIPS ME UP, and what an AGENT trying to sell the book to a publisher is LIKELY TO THINK.

Not sure if this is right for you? Take a look at the comments at the bottom of the page.

As a manuscript consultant and editor, I learn something new every day.

• What is the story you want to tell?

• Where are you in the process?

• How can we help? 

Whether you’re uncertain how to start, half-way through, ready for a developmental edit, ready for a line edit, or seeking support in some other way, we’d like to advise you –especially if your manuscript and our interests match.

How can we help you? 

• Do you need to know what is and isn’t working in your writing?
• Do you have specific questions?
• Do you want to know whether characters are believable?
• Do you wonder if the plot moves too quickly or too slowly?
• Do you need help to trim the wordiness from your work?
• Do you have concerns about your pace, your theme, the rhythm, or your use of language?
• Is English your second or third language?
• Or do you need someone to brainstorm with?

Is Writer Advice’s Manuscript Consultation Service Right for You?  Let’s find out.

E-mail a sample of your manuscript. The first 500 words works best. Send the e-mail to Lgood67334@comcast.net and put Manuscript Consultation Request in the subject box.

I’ll read your work and answer your questions, tell you what’s already working, and offer some suggestions. If I can’t help you, I can often suggest someone better suited to your needs.

Fees:

I usually charge a flat fee for both developmental and line edits. Before determining the fee, I need to see a brief sample of your work, and I need to know how many words (not pages) are in the manuscript. My fees are  reasonable, and my work is quite detailed.

We can always work out a payment schedule if it’s needed. Write me for details and send your sample (about 500 words is enough) to Lgood67334@comcast.net

The endorsements below will tell you how people feel about our work. Let us help you develop and polish your fiction, memoir, story, personal essay, or opinion piece.

Editing Endorsements:

B. Lynn Goodwin knows how to offer suggestions to make your writing say what you want it to say. She teaches you to delve deeply into your character’s motives so you write more purposely. Taking her course was well worth the time and money. —Susan H., College Station TX

B. Lynn Goodwin is a wonderful writing instructor who offers a positive approach. She has great insight, helpful writing suggestions, and the understanding and creativity to help make writing material better. I’d take her Independent Course again in a heartbeat. —Judy W., Studio City CA

B. Lynn Goodwin is an encouraging and effective mentor. Her comments challenged me to improve my writing and go deeper into each scene. Anyone working on an ongoing manuscript would benefit from her guidance. —Renee C., Hicksville NY

B. Lynn Goodwin is great at giving what is needed! …very accessible, responsive and supportive… suggests readings that are appropriate to your needs. I keep coming back to work with Lynn because she keeps me going on my project! [she] has been a wonderful inspiration. — Diane P., Pikesville MD

B. Lynn Goodwin has been very supportive and I feel as if my writing is improving significantly with her help and encouragement… I have been enjoying working with Lynn tremendously… I feel as if she has become my Muse — Diane P., Pikesville MD

“I could’ve never done my outreach letter without you.  Thank you for your services!”
Tyaga Hebel, author of ‘Finding Marisol,’ a memoir-in-the-making.

“I wanted to tell you again…thank you. I took a course from you on how to write a query…. You were so kind, gentle, encouraging and met me where I was on that journey…. I was going to get a quote from a well known author and thought maybe I could get the quote by only sending her the query letter that I had used to find a publisher. She ended up wanting to read the book before giving me a quote but commented on the outstanding query letter. That compliment goes to you. Thank you. I don’t know if you realize the difference you make…or at least made for me.” -Cinda Brooks, author of Heart Prints of Africa

B. Lynn Goodwin is an encouraging and effective mentor. Her comments challenged me to improve my writing and go deeper into each scene. Anyone working on an ongoing manuscript would benefit from her guidance. -Renee C., Hicksville NY

“B. Lynn Goodwin is great at giving what is needed! …very accessible, responsive and supportive… suggests readings that are appropriate to your needs. I keep coming back to work with Lynn because she keeps me going on my project! [she] has been a wonderful inspiration.” – Diane P., Pikesville MD

“If you are motivated and serious about your writing, Lynn Goodwin just may be a perfect match for you. She was always available if I had questions, she made great suggestions and her feedback was always given in such a way that I never felt embarrassed about my writing. She understood me and my needs and was very responsive.” -Debra R., Media PA

“I really felt I grew in my understanding of how to edit and possibly get an article published. Lynn Goodwin’s encouragement was amazing and very uplifting. It made me want to continue to strive to become a better writer.” -Mary Anne D., Riverhead NY

“My expectations were 1) to start writing anything, 2) to focus more onto one subject, and 3) to develop a theme and storyline. They are sequential for the most part. I got started, and developed some focus, but the potential storylines are still in glamourous thought impeded by many years of daily chores and procrastination. B. Lynn Goodwin was helpful in getting through some of that…She is great at starting with you where you are at and proceeding forward.” -Susan P., Grangeville ID

“B. Lynn Goodwin is the best writing instructor I have ever had. She has guided me through this journey with ease.” -Anthony F., Danville CA

“I found your comments both challenging and encouraging, and that is exactly the kind of response a writer seeks. You have given me plenty to think about as I read and edit.” – Jeff Hampton, author of the manuscript, Aransas Morning

“Your mastery of language and thoroughness was so much more than I expected. I appreciated your insightful suggestions and comments. You are a writing treasure.” ~~Bobbie Marie, short story

“I can see how much thought and insight you have put into the ms and I am extremely pleased with your efforts.” ~~Janelle Kimball, memoir

“…your comments about asking myself questions were very helpful. When I got stuck I’d ask myself what would Lynn tell me?” ~~Linda Powell, thesis

“I really enjoy your editing. It is gentle, kind, and positive while asking important questions of the writer aiming always at bring out more precision and focus.” ~~Elizabeth Moreskine, poet

“Lynn thank you for your intuitiveness, understanding, encouragement and honest and positive feedback.” ~~Cheryl Wright, columnist for the Trinidad Guardian

“I wish I had an English teacher like you in high school, you make everything so clear.” ~~Amanda Wucherer, novel manuscript

Who Offers This Service?

B. Lynn Goodwin owns and edits Writer Advice, http://www.writeradvice.com. Her most recent book is a second edition of Talent (Koehler Books), which was short-listed for a Literary Lightbox Award, won a bronze medal in the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards, and was a finalist for a Sarton Award.

Never Too Late: From Wannabe to Wife at 62 won both a National Indie Excellence Award and a Human Relations Indie Book Award. The book earned either an Honorable Mention or Finalist status at the Next Generation Book Awards and the Best Book Awards and in other places. The multiple recognitions are a validation of both the content and style.

You Want Me to Do WHAT? Journaling for Caregivers is still available as a flip book.

Her work has appeared in Voices of Caregivers, Hip Mama, Small Press Review, Dramatics Magazine, Inspire Me Today, Caregiver Village, The Sun, Good Housekeeping.com, Purple Clover.com and elsewhere. Her flash fiction is published in Flashquake, Nebo, Cabinet of Heed, Murmur of Words, 100-Word Stories, Ariel’s Dream, and Writing in a Woman’s Voice.

She is a reviewer, teacher, and board member at Story Circle Network, and she is a manuscript coach here at Writer Advice. She’s also a member of the California Writers Club and the International Women’s Writing Guild.

She earned degrees from Vassar College and San Francisco State University and received her teaching credential from the University of Santa Clara. She facilitates writing workshops, loves doing author interviews and book reviews, and since 1997 she has been publishing Writer Advice, www.writeradvice.com.

Let me know how I can help. Write to me at Lgood67334 AT comcast DOT net.

Additional (and Possibly Repeated) Editing Endorsements:

B. Lynn Goodwin is an encouraging and effective mentor. Her comments challenged me to improve my writing and go deeper into each scene. Anyone working on an ongoing manuscript would benefit from her guidance. -Renee C., Hicksville NY

“B. Lynn Goodwin is great at giving what is needed! …very accessible, responsive and supportive… suggests readings that are appropriate to your needs. I keep coming back to work with Lynn because she keeps me going on my project! [she] has been a wonderful inspiration.” – Diane P., Pikesville MD

“If you are motivated and serious about your writing, Lynn Goodwin just may be a perfect match for you. She was always available if I had questions, she made great suggestions and her feedback was always given in such a way that I never felt embarrassed about my writing. She understood me and my needs and was very responsive.”  -Debra R., Media PA

“I really felt I grew in my understanding of how to edit and possibly get an article published. Lynn Goodwin’s encouragement was amazing and very uplifting. It made me want to continue to strive to become a better writer.” -Mary Anne D., Riverhead NY

“My expectations were 1) to start writing anything, 2) to focus more onto one subject, and 3) to develop a theme and storyline. They are sequential for the most part. I got started, and developed some focus, but the potential storylines are still in glamourous thought impeded by many years of daily chores and procrastination. B. Lynn Goodwin was helpful in getting through some of that…She is great at starting with you where you are at and proceeding forward.” -Susan P., Grangeville ID

“B. Lynn Goodwin is the best writing instructor I have ever had. She has guided me through this journey with ease.” -Anthony F., Danville CA

“I found your comments both challenging and encouraging, and that is exactly the kind of response a writer seeks. You have given me plenty to think about as I read and edit.”   – Jeff Hampton, author of the manuscript, Aransas Morning

“Your mastery of language and thoroughness was so much more than I expected. I appreciated your insightful suggestions and comments. You are a writing treasure.” ~~Bobbie Marie, short story

“ I can see how much thought and insight you have put into the ms and I am extremely pleased with your efforts.” ~~Janelle Kimball, memoir

“…your comments about asking myself questions were very helpful. When I got stuck I’d ask myself what would Lynn tell me?” ~~Linda Powell, thesis

“I really enjoy your editing.  It is gentle, kind, and positive while asking important questions of the writer aiming always at bring out more precision and focus.” ~~Elizabeth Moreskine, poet

“Lynn thank you for your intuitiveness, understanding, encouragement and honest and positive feedback.” ~~Cheryl Wright, columnist for the Trinidad Guardian

“I wish I had an English teacher like you in high school, you make everything so clear.”  ~~Amanda Wucherer, novel manuscript

Who Offers This Service?

B. Lynn Goodwin owns Writer Advice, http://www.writeradvice.com. Her memoir, Never Too Late: From Wannabe to Wife at 62was released in December and was a National Indie Excellence Award Winner. She’s written You Want Me to Do WHAT? Journaling for Caregiversand Talent, which was short-listed for a Literary Lightbox Award, won a bronze medal in the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awardsand was a finalist for aSarton Women’s Book Award.