Editing
I critique short stories, creative nonfiction, and novels (parts or the whole). I provide honest, insightful feedback, and I hold your work to a high standard. But I am here to help not to tear you down. I believe an effective editor must keep his own ego out of his critiques, and so I do everything I can to cater to your needs and to your vision, and to provide feedback that will help you create the most powerful, most moving story possible. Inquire for my availability.
The kind of feedback I offer is usually called "developmental" or "structural." In developmental feedback I examine the story. Though I occasionally remark on line-level edits, I'm mostly looking at the pacing, the characters, the structure and movement, the plotting, and whether the story is engaging and emotionally moving. I work at an hourly rate, but a novel usually comes to about $0.015/word or about $5 per page. I can work with works-in progress or completed manuscripts.
Works in progress
I've done a lot of work with writers who do not yet have a completed manuscript. And though that work often falls under the category of coaching, I also edit outlines, and excerpts or single chapters of longer work. Outline edits are a great way to get a some big-picture feedback for much less cost ($200-400).
Full manuscripts
I complete 1-2 full manuscript edits every month. I read at a pace of about 20 pages per day. For novels, I typically make margin notes throughout, write a chapter-by-chapter assessment, and include a holistic assessment. I return those three documents to the writer and offer a free follow-up conversation to address questions.
Short work
I also do a lot of editing of short stories and novels. I can usually return such work within 2-4 weeks of receipt. I can cater my editing to your needs (if you need line edits in addition to holistic assessment, for instance). Edits of shorter work usually amounts to $7-10/page.
Note: I'm currently booked out until the fall of 2024 with full-manuscript edits. I can do smaller jobs before then, but fulls will have to join the queue, which tends to be about 10-12 months long.
Questions or Concerns?
I understand how daunting it can be to entrust your writing to an editor you may not know personally. I feel it's important that we are both comfortable with one another. So I'm happy to meet via video conference before you make your decision on whether to put your work in my hands. I will approach you and your work professionally and respectfully, and I will provide a contract for us both to examine carefully before undertaking the project. Keep in mind that it may sometimes be weeks or months before I can get to your work, depending on my current queue of edits.
What my clients are saying
Dorothea Buckingham
ALA Best Book for Young Adult selection for Staring Down the Dragon
"Tim has been like an MFA mentor to me. He has supported me through the rough spots and the weltschmerz. He respects my work and doesn't try to alter it, but he pushes me toward better storytelling by teaching craft and having me apply it to my work. His approach is academic and practical, and I often think he knows my story better than I do. He’ll listen and make your work your best work."
Kristin Oakley
Award-winning Author, Carpe Diem, Illinois and God on Mayhem Street
"I am amazed at the number of aha moments I had when I read Tim’s comments throughout my manuscript. He clearly articulated what I had intended to write and then demonstrated how I could communicate those intentions effectively using my own unique voice. Tim is respectful and patient, always taking the time to listen to and thoroughly answer my questions and address my concerns. He loves helping writers hone their craft, making it a true joy to work with him."
Jim Trainor
Author, 68 and 4 other novels
"I was able to effectively tackle the substantial revision required of my manuscript with Tim’s clear and through identification of everything from typos to thematic issues. Tim provided teaching and insight that guided me toward fixing the problems, and, moreover, becoming a better writer. Tim never sugar-coated the issues, yet it was always clear that he was cheering me on and wanted me to succeed—I was left encouraged and excited about charging ahead. I highly recommend Tim Storm’s excellent work. I could not have hoped for more."