THE FICTION DOCTOR IS IN: March 2012

TESTIMONIALS

Helen is an outstanding editor who recognizes ways to make a writer's words shine while respecting that it is his voice, his characters and his story. She taught me about problems with my writing that no previous editor had found, and she helped make my book an award winner! I look forward to working with her again as she launches her editing business and I highly recommend her.

Deborah Schneider
2011 EPIC Award Winner
2009 RWA Librarian of the Year

If you dream of writing a book and "getting it out there", Helen Hardt is just the person you need to help you achieve that dream. Helen was my editor for Fire Eyes, the first book that I ever published. I'm convinced that without her help, that book might still not be published. With Helen's expert advice and tutelage every step of the way, Fire Eyes went on to become an EPIC finalist in 2010. What an honor! Fire Eyes has received countless wonderful reviews in the two years it has been on the market. Helen was also my editor for my novella, A Night for Miracles, which has also done extremely well and helped me get into the short story market. Helen is able to "see the big picture" of your story and envision the best way to develop the plot and characters. She really understood what I was trying to do in my writing and offered sound suggestions that I could use. Helen Hardt is a true professional!

Cheryl Pierson
2010 EPIC Finalist

I was in Writer Heaven when I had Helen Hardt as a critique partner. I always took her suggestions without question and ended up with a cleaner, better manuscript. If I use a freelance editor, she’ll be the first person I contact because I know I’d be working with an efficient professional—and friendly, too! It’s easy to say that I highly recommend her services.

Viola Estrella
2010 RITA Finalist

When my editor Helen Hardt left commercial publishing to concentrate on her own career as author and free-lance editor, I thought my heart would break. She’s not only extremely knowledgeable in grammar, syntax, structure (all the classroom stuff), and purging unneeded verbiage, but she’s also gifted at sensing how to strengthen emotion, in my opinion one of a romance novel’s most important areas. Ironically, what Helen taught me and assisted me with can’t be put into words. I just know it showed up on the pages of the books we did together and I hope her talents are evident in the works I’ve done since then.

Tanya Hanson
2011 Double CAPA Award Nominee

I’ve used Helen Hardt for four projects now, and she’s been prompt and professional every time. She works with my schedule, including helping me out when I was in a bind. I consider her part of my little publishing team, and I know that I can always go to her with questions or concerns. She’s definitely my go-to person for copy-editing.

Skye Warren
www.skyewarren.com

Helen, all your suggestions proved most helpful. Your keen eye spotted numerous areas where I hadn't maximizied the emotional potential of a scene, so crucial in keeping the reader riveted to the story. Adding to that is your impressive mastery of the English language, to polish the work and catch mistakes which other editors missed. Your professional and friendly approach throughout made it a real treat in every way. Finally, you exhibit what some editors falter upon: you actually "walk the walk" in respecting the author's voice and style and working with the story's intent.

Gary Weibert

PRICING

Proofreading: Checking text for typos, spelling errors, and missing words or punctuation. This is not technically an edit. Focuses on the word level. $.0075 per word.

Copy (Line) Editing: Proofreading plus editing for grammar, sentence clarity, and consistency. Focuses on the sentence level. $.0125 per word.

Style Editing: Proofreading, copy editing, plus editing for style. I'll remove any ambiguities, eliminate jargon and cliche, evaluate tone and style, help polish and your language, and do my best to make sure you're keeping your reader engaged. Focuses on the paragraph level. $.0225 per word.

Deep Editing: Proofreading, copy editing, style editing, plus a thorough review of the manuscript as a whole. I will check for plot and character inconsistencies, evaluate use of conflict, and make suggestions, if necessary, for additions or deletions to your story. Does not include research or ghost writing. I will give suggestions but I will not do the rewriting for you. Focuses on the chapter and whole manuscript level. $.03 per word.

Mentoring: Mentoring is based on the writer's needs. Rates begin at $250.00 per month. Contact me and we will design a plan that works for both of us! helenhardt@gmail.com

THE FICTION DOCTOR IS IN

Thursday, March 15, 2012

In Defense of the Oxford Comma...

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