Free Critique Opportunity

Well, I’m sure all of you are already signed up for the infrequent, humorous Ashberry Lane newsletter (right? right?), but just in case you aren’t or it ended up in your spam folder, go to our contest and update page on Ashberry Lane. If you scroll down past the subscription form, you can read the whole beautiful thing. I believe it’s a testament to God’s gift of hope that we were able to inject so much humor.

Allow me to highlight an important announcement that comes way down on number five.

Keep Christina From Abject Poverty

… and improve your manuscript at the same time! In an effort to do what I love, be home when the kids are home, and help my fellow man/woman, I am launching a freelance editing business. Why now, in the worst economy of my remembered life? Well, why not??

However, there are already tons of highly-skilled editors out there who could do a fantastic job of polishing your manuscript. Just to name a few, I’d recommend Camy Tang’s Story Sensei, Meredith Efken’s The Fiction Fix-it Shop, and Mary DeMuth’s The Writing Spa.

Let’s consider them fancy cheesecakes. If you can afford a slice, you’ll buy it and it will taste delicious. For the sake of this analogy, we’ll even make them calorie-free. There’s not a negative thing about them.

I’m offering more of an apple pie service. Down-home food at a bargain price. See, I believe there is a large group of writers who can’t quite afford to pay the usual editing rates. Maybe you’re one of those authors. Maybe you’re looking for a lower price, and are willing to risk it on an unknown like myself. Here are the rough details:

~Fiction Only

~$25 for a Trial Critique of the first fifteen pages*
This allows us to see if our professional relationship will be mutually beneficial

~$1 a page for Full Manuscript Critique, with a credit for the Trial Critique**

~Critiques include both line editing and substantive edits

~Your choice of paper or electronic copy

~Detailed comments, illustrations of writing principles, and recommended resources that will take your writing to the next level

* The first five people who contact me and mention this newsletter will receive a FREE Trial Critique.

** The first person to schedule a Full Manuscript Critique will get $50 off the total cost.

Though this is my first official foray into editing, I have worked through quite a few full manuscripts. Here’s what a past client had to say:

Before I hired Christina to edit my manuscript, I sat with her in classes at a writer’s conference, where I heard her sort out literary passages and explain them in a clear, easy to read manner. When she returned my manuscript, I was thrilled to find that she had slashed through my mistakes and woodenness, and suggested wonderful changes. Christina is not only talented, but a committed writer. I will ask for her help on my next project.

William Cleek

Contact me now if you’d like one of the three remaining slots!