Tuning Fork
Editorial Services
Editing in tune with your vision
Coaching in tune with your goals
Books in tune with your readers
Developmental editing, line editing, and book coaching for fiction and nonfiction authors
I’ll help sharpen and polish your manuscript, find your way through the fog of a stalled project, or begin moving your book idea from your mind to the page. Let’s talk about your path forward.
Services
Book Coaching
Helping writers and would-be writers tell their stories, share their expertise, sound the alarm bells they need us to hear, and turn their visions into reality
Developmental Editing
Optimizing the big-picture elements of a novel or nonfiction book to ensure that its structural elements serve the material and its readers
Line Editing
Improving a book's prose, making it tight and impactful, lyrical and sharp, flowing and memorable, all while retaining the author's own voice
Testimonials
Step by step from an initial read and critique, Alan provided me with thorough developmental editorial advice and in-depth line editing. Alan was able to spot nuances where there was a need to make sure a reader would not be left hanging or misled as the story unfolded. He pointed out where characters required further development or where the plot needed a small but critical revision. So often, I swear he knew the plot and characters even better than I did. I am so grateful for Alan’s superb editorial expertise, communication skills and passionate support. He was an integral contributor to my book. Without his work, I could not have moved the book to publication.
I really appreciated the way Alan laid out his recommendations. They were detailed and digestible. He is not only thorough and kind in his feedback, he brings up areas in the manuscript that I hadn’t even thought of that will make a huge difference in the story. I felt like Alan knew my characters as well as I did and helped me see ways I could further develop them and make the plot richer. I didn’t expect such detailed feedback, or such a variety of suggestions that I could choose from.
As a result of working with Alan, I have complete confidence that I will be able to revise my manuscript into a book I will be proud to publish.
Alan did a great job with ironing out the rough edges in my memoir and was able to take my message and translate my words, emotions and mindset more clearly and more accurately than I was able to do. His contributions made “The Last Rocketman” the great book that it is today.
It's amazing to me how much talking with Alan about my thoughts and goals for my manuscript helps me clarify my thinking. When we meet, I come away with all kinds of energy for moving things forward. I've bought into the idea of a book coach, and Alan is really good at it.
I had never worked with a developmental editor before connecting with Alan, and the experience truly exceeded my expectations. His feedback on structure, pacing, character depth, and voice helped me ensure that the heart of my chapter came through clearly. His comments were insightful and actionable, and always delivered with warmth and clarity. I highly recommend working with him.
Alan's developmental editing was crucial to helping me get unblocked with new book. He thinks big and doesn't pull punches.
I am writing a biography of a 19th-century ancestor while weaving in some American history. I chose Alan as my book coach because he was the only one who showed that he understood what I wanted. Other applicants described their credentials. Alan, in addition, said he could help me “find the larger story, themes, and throughlines that would allow you to tell the story.” Indeed, Alan has helped me clarify my book’s themes, structure, tone and organization. If it weren’t for him, I would still be writing far too much background about my ancestor’s ancestors before getting to the point. I still have far to go. But with Alan’s help I have a guide who keeps me on track.
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Let's Connect!
I’d love to talk to you about editing your manuscript or coaching you towards completing your book. I look forward to hearing from you!