I really choked over the pic below, entitled Ancient Ruin. (Those could be my granddaughters photographing the "ancient relic.") What an amazing change in communication in so few years. Photo by Kelly Teloz
Below, the root system of a redwood tree . . .
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| Monument Valley (Arizona) Double Rainbow |
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BLAIR BANCROFT ANNOUNCES . . .
Although I have been editing since shortly after I was married, I have spent the last quarter century so involved in writing 50+ romance novels that my diversions into editing for others have been few and far between. However . . . I truly think it is time to retire and pass along what I've learned through the years. So . . .
Trumpets please!
With this blog I am announcing the inauguration of . . .
Blair Bancroft Editing
Blair Bancroft Editing offers Developmental Editing—a careful reading of your manuscript, taking note of all the essentials of creating a reader-grabbing book—from making your characters more vivid to adding sparkle to your dialogue. Is your story too wordy, too bare bones? In Romance, is there genuine attraction between the hero and heroine, no matter how much they squabble? I will also attempt to answer any further questions you might have after your book has been edited.
Blair’s Pledge:
As a long-time author, I am highly sensitive to the issue of someone “messing with” my manuscripts. I will not do that. Your manuscript will not be returned to you littered with a confusing hodgepodge of multi-colored Additions, Deletions, and Corrections, leaving you confused and wailing, “No no no, this cannot be I!”
Why is this important? A new author is in the process of developing her/his own Voice, and no editor should superimpose their voice over the author’s. I will suggest changes and explain why, but you will have the choice of a) rejecting the suggestion; b) revising in your own voice.
Editing Details:
The basics of every manuscript are: Setting, Main Characters, Secondary Characters, Plot, Narration, Dialogue, “Flow,” Tension, and Overall Impression. In addition to marginal notes, I will write a summary of your treatment of these topics, including the good as well as the problems that need fixing.
My qualifications:
1. Fifteen years as an editor at Readers Press, a small educational publishing company in Connecticut. Our proudest achievement: The Black People of America, the first black history text written for grades 8 & up.
2. A quarter century writing Romance fiction, primarily Regency (Traditional & Historical). Also, Contemporary Romantic Suspense and Mystery, SciFi Fantasy, Medieval, Steampunk, and the 200,000-word Making Magic with Words, a compilation of all my blogs on Writing and Editing from 2011-2019.
3. Many years as a contest judge for various chapters of Romance Writers of America and as a privately contracted free-lance fiction editor.
4. I am a voracious reader—primarily Regency & Victorian Romance and Adventure; Cozy and Detective Mysteries (contemporary & historical); SciFi, and SciFi Fantasy.
Review excerpts for books by Blair Bancroft:
“Sometimes a reviewer gets a book so powerful, it’s hard to know where to begin to tell you about it. The Sometime Bride is such a book.” (Jane Bowers, Romance Communications)
“Tarleton’s Wife . . . is filled with action and emotion, and with well-drawn, realistic characters headed by a strong, admirable and totally likable heroine. The author has an an extraordinary ability to bring her characters to life and to create a new world around them.” (Lily Martin, Romance Communications)
“Marvelously versatile, wondrously creative, intelligently written and sensuously inventive, Bancroft’s Shadowed Paradise adds new meaning to the term “romantic suspense.” Shadowed Paradise is as fresh as tomorrow and seriously scary. I loved it.” (Patricia Lucas White, Crescent Blues)
Pricing:
On my blog, Grace's Mosaic Moments, I have been sharing what I’ve learned about writing since my first “how to” blog back in 2011. And I’m still focused on sharing what I’ve learned with new or wannabe authors. Therefore, I’m experimenting with a price scale below the general average. (Only time will tell if I can afford to continue to do that.) I will be offering three prices:
First three chapters (to see if you’re off to the right start)
40,000-50,000 words (novella length)
50,000-100,000 words (over that, negotiable)
Prices and Turnaround estimates can be found on my website: blairbancroft.com
For questions and submissions, contact Blair at: blairgak@gmail.com
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