Frequently Asked Questions

Perhaps the best way to explain the range of services that falls under the title of book doctor is to extend the medical metaphor (which I did not invent), and say that I am able to offer everything from a brief urgent-care visit to a full workup with regularly scheduled follow-up visits.

In its most extended form, I approach book doctoring as a one-on-one tutorial about the field of children's books. In every aspect of my editorial work, I focus on supporting and advocating for the health of the author and the work.

Both.

It’s wonderful to work with not-yet-published writers. In slightly more than six years at Roaring Brook Press, I started 21 debut authors and illustrators on their way. Several are now publishing their fifth or sixth books!

I also work happily with people who have published widely and successfully. They ask for my help because they’ve reached an impasse on a particular project or want to try a new genre or age group or experiment with format or voice or point of view. Or maybe they just want immediate in-depth feedback and an opportunity to organize their thoughts, their notes, their goals with an experienced and supportive editor.

Whether you have been published or not, I obviously cannot guarantee that our work together will result in this book being published. But I can help you take it to the next level by giving you detailed comments and direction. Some of my clients will go on to be very publishable now or a few manuscripts from now, and that is very satisfying for all of us.

Exactly the same range of genres, age groups, and subject matter as I did during the thirty years I worked in publishing houses. I edit concept books for the very youngest to chew on (literally!), picture book art and text, learning-to-read and early chapter books, middle grade fiction and nonfiction, teen fiction and nonfiction, plus fiction and nonfiction for adults.

Yes to both. And, equally important, yes to pointing out the strengths of the manuscript — the areas to build on, the tone to emulate, the character to bring to the foreground. Most of us are hard on ourselves and critical of our own work. The Internal Critic serves an important purpose, but not if that voice drowns out a sense of accomplishment about what works well — and sometimes kudos just for the daunting task of putting words on paper.

Much of the strengthening of a manuscript takes place as we cut out didactic passages, refine the language, and get to know the characters so well that actions and emotions are credible. It comes down to trusting your reader enough to not spell out every detail and, of course, to be willing to revise, revise, revise.

An editor’s main responsibility is to ask questions — the right questions — that lead the author to new insights and practical new approaches to plot, characterization, pace. I often suggest writing exercises to shake things up and help move an author in a more productive direction.

I use our time together, whether by e-mail, on the phone, or in person, as a one-on-one tutorial. Sometimes we work out “homework” assignments to keep up the writing momentum after our time together is over.

Yes. I am all about details! We’ll talk about how to structure a sentence, dispense with egregious clichés, choose powerful verbs, and avoid too many adverbs. And cut, tighten, refine — my authors always say that my tombstone is going to read, Less Is More!

A professionally prepared proposal is like a résumé: it won’t land you the job, but it may win you an interview and a chance to get your foot in the door. A proposal is often the first step in attracting an agent and securing a commitment from an acquiring editor. It’s a tool for selling yourself and your project.

I can help you develop a proposal for an adult or young reader fiction series or for nonfiction. We will include sales hooks, bulleted marketing points, sample text, comparisons to existing books, and a persuasive pitch about why you are the best person to write this book.

I do not put authors directly in touch with agents or editors. I am not set up to be an agent and don't plan to function as such. I am an editor, through and through — and it’s what I love.

Yes, absolutely, it’s the honest thing to do. I might offer to help polish the manuscript and refine those last few details, but if it’s really ready, I will advise the author to move it along without me.

Editors in publishing houses always hope to do more than buy one book; they really hope to acquire an author and have an ongoing relationship. And yet, nowadays, published authors are asked to do much more to promote themselves and publicize their books than ever before in the history of publishing.

I help you look ahead at the big picture and plan for a career. I give marketing suggestions and talk about the care and feeding of editors and agents (lots of respect and a big present every December! Just kidding. Well, half-kidding, anyway).

We’ll also discuss opportunities to communicate with your readers and promote your books — speaking in schools and libraries, maintaining a website, participating in targeted Listservs, appropriately augmenting your publisher’s efforts, and other strategies.