"Get your Proposal in Shape for Conference" Special Summer Offer!
Mini Book Therapy!
Who would a professional editor turn to for advice on plot and character development? Well, THIS professional editor knows no one better than Susan May Warren to consult! Susan has a sharp eye for story detail and characterization. Her insights will make your novel come to life, and her love of writing is contagious. I'd seriously consider any mystery proposal that Susan had a hand in developing. ~Susan Downs, Managing Editor, Heartsong Presents--MYSTERIES! Barbour Publishing
You get one chance to wow them, to stir their hunger for your book, to see that sparkle in their eyes that tells you they see your story in print…is your conference submission ready?
We at Book Therapy know how important that conference pitch is – we have sat at the other side of the editor and agents table, hands sweating, trying to throw the right amount of energy into our pitch. We have sold those pitches.
Now we want to help you. From now until September, My Book Therapy is offering our summertime “Get in Shape for Conference” Mini Book Therapy fiction editing service.
We’ll help your tune up that first chapter, create a powerful one-sheet and hone your pitch so when you walk into that air-conditioned room at your writer’s conference, you don’t freeze on the spot. Instead, you’ll have a sizzling hot-best-seller, just waiting to be discovered.
What is Mini Book Therapy?
Mini Book Therapy focuses on those elements that make a story pop:
Hook
Voice
Characters
Theme
Storyworld
Story Question
Inciting Incident
With an eye toward helping you craft the most powerful first paragraph, the most compelling first scene, and a rich storyworld with riveting characters, we go line by line to teach, strengthen and encourage. Then, after reviewing your one-sheet, and helping you pull out the elements to highlight your story, well help you hone your pitch, making it compelling, unique and memorable.
What do I submit?
Send us:
Your First Chapter, up to 3500 words
One Sheet Synopsis – 300-500 Words
Rough draft Pitch – no more than 300 words
Your analysis will include your annotated, footnoted manuscript and one-sheet, an overview of your strengths and areas to work on, as well as a sample pitch to take and hone.
And we'll get it back to you within a week.
Why should I trust you?
Our team: Susan May Warren & Rachel Hauck!
I love to write. But I also love to help writers write. As an award-winning author of nearly twenty books, I’ve been an American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) BOTY (Book of the Year) and Genesis judge, a Romance Writer’s of America RITA judge, and an IRCC (Inspirational Reader’s Choice Contest) judge. I’ve also taught online classes, and conference workshops on all aspects of writing –from plotting to characters to dialogue to proposal writing to brainstorming.
Rachel Hauck is a multi-published author of romance and chick lit. Readers and reviewers agree Rachel writes tight prose and great characters. Setting, dialog and pacing are her strengths, as well as looking for a story's unique spiritual angle. Rachel also has a keen editorial eye for symbolism and underlying themes. Writing for over twenty years, Rachel has a BA in Journalism from Ohio State University. Rachel is also teaching the Chick Lit continuing education course at the 2007 American Christian Romance Writer's conference in Dallas.
What’s this going to cost me?
“Sounds great, Suz & Rach, but I don’t have a grand to drop on my yet-to-be published work of fiction. Am I going to have to take on a part-time job to afford my dream? ”
We understand, because, well, we've been there.
So -- from now until September 1st, we're cutting our rate to a flat $135 for the entire shebang! Chapter evaluation, synopsis/1 sheet overview, pitch...and all the great lessons and encouragment that come from having fellow writers with a love of writing on your side.
So, grab a cup of a coffee (no chocolate chips necessary)
and let’s talk!
Mini Book Therapy Submission Guidelines
Email us at: booktherapy@susanmaywarren.com before sending anything. Tell us your story’s genre, a brief plot overview, and send a sample paragraph. We will respond within 48 hours as to our availability and whether or not we feel we can help you.
If we can work together, we’ll send you a contract and a short in-take questionnaire (yeah, I know, it sounds like forms in a doctor’s office, but remember BOOK THERAPY). When you fill those out, send them back to me with your submission attached (in separate MS Word files).
MS guidelines: Times New Roman, 12 pt, double spaced, 1 inch margins.
Endorsements!
Susan May Warren is more than a friend. She truly has been a life saver or more aptly stated, a “plot-saver” for me over the seven years we’ve been critique partners. I have sung her praises more than once in casual conversations and interviews, but to have the chance to endorse this new business is truly my honor and I do so whole heartedly. Anyone and I do mean ANYONE willing to put the kind of work and detail into a manuscript that Susan puts into her own books, will take your writing to a new level that will surprise and delight you. Learning her secrets has been priceless for me. Do it! You won’t be disappointed. ~ Tracey Bateman, Author of over 30 Inspirational novels,
www.traceybateman.com
Susan May Warren is an expert at understanding story, and communicating knowledge to others. More than once, she's walked me through a story problem, skillfully helping me fine tune my characters goals and motivation. I was literally stuck on how to start a new book idea, and Susie tossed out, "Start with three things the heroine doesn't like." Those three things became the beginning of Lost In NashVegas. I highly recommend her editing and therapy services.
~Rachel Hauck, multi-published author
Susan takes a difficult process and simplifies it in a way writers at any level will be able to comprehend. ~Sandra D. Moore, American Christian Fiction Writer's MidAtlantic Zone Director
Susan’s “everywoman” teaching style, takes the novice to experienced writer into a deeper understanding of their story. Her practical tools assisted me in working through a character problem I didn’t realize was there. The character now resonates with realism and gives more dimension to the whole story. Thanks, Susan! ~Terri Gillespie, Member, American Christian Fiction Writers
Susan's teaching technique is fun and fresh! Her open and honest way of communicating writing skills is highly effective. Writers of all experience levels will benefit from her creative examples of characterization and plot." ~Betsy Ann St. Amant, Author
Susan Warren offers a practical method of teaching that really sticks in your head. I went to a writers conference and heard many well-known, published authors, but what Susan taught I brought home to my writing. ~Therese Stenzel, Member, American Christian Fiction Writers
Today, I learned more about writing than I thought possible! Your insights taught me WHY. I loved, loved, loved the suggestions you madeand the positive way you voiced them! ~Lee from Florida
Rachel Hauck's solid advice on what wasn't working in my wip was exactly what I needed to push over the bump I'd been stuck on, and move me forward. ~Linda Mae Baldwin, author
Rachel delivers a strong edit based on her extensive knowledge of story and flow. She offers suggestions to build a stronger storyworld and characters, while showing how to keep the pace of the manuscript strong. If the devil is in the details, then Rachel is your woman. ~Sandra Moore
Rachel Hauck has provided the best critique I've ever had. Her suggestions helped my storyline improve immeasurably and generated tremendous growth in me as a writer. ~Dina Nickerson
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