FAQ

Writing

  • O.C. Writers generously published a serial column where I reviewed 100 essential books on the craft of writing called Marissa’s Take On. The column has sadly ended, but you can still read some of the reviews on O.C.Writers.com or find selected works on Writing Craft Books by Genre.

  • I’ve gravitated to writing about what it’s like to be a writer, in my prose poetry, flash fiction, and blog posts written for organizations. Other topics for novels include womanhood, the divine, grief, the body, and economics.

  • I tend to read a lot of books at once and from a wide range. At the moment, I am reading: The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon, Autobiography of Red: A Novel in Verse by Anne Carson, Moby-Dick by Herman Melville, and The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore by Evan Friss.

Editing

  • As of now, I am not actively taking clients. I am working on a draft of my novel and have other commitments that temporarily limit my availability. However, feel free to check back periodically, as availability can change. If you have specific timelines or urgent editing needs, I can recommend trusted colleagues who may be able to assist you. Thank you for your understanding!

  • Though I am not currently accepting new clients while I work on a critical next draft of my novel, when I do open up to new clients, I offer copyediting primarily using CMOS, developmental editing, and proofreading services for fiction manuscripts and marketing material.

    Stay tuned for exciting new services and products to come in 2024.

  • Prices vary by project based on a number of factors, including what kind of edit you are seeking and how extensive the edit. For a general idea on prices, see the EFA rate chart. Editorial Rates

  • Many experienced editors offer other services like submission packets or inquiry letters in addition to manuscript editing. It might be worth hiring a freelance editor to edit or provide mentorship before you submit to small presses or agents.

    In general, after getting a manuscript contracted with a small press, they will usually have in-house editors and would prefer you to use their vetted staff members to edit your manuscript after you have contracted with them. You usually won’t need to hire your own editor.

  • Developmental editing - Big picture editing of an entire manuscript. You can expect to receive a detailed editorial letter and notes in the manuscript.

    Copyediting - Editing a completed manuscript for spelling, grammar, and punctuation based on a specific style - such as The Chicago Manual of Style.

    Proofreading - Editing a manuscript proof for final errors. A proof is a typeset manuscript that is nearing release or publication.

  • Sign up for early registration now!

    Word Searches for Editors is a collection of online word search puzzles with specialized knowledge on editors. Players must find words in a simple grid to win. Words can be frontward, backward, diagonal, up, or down.

Digital Marketing

  • Whether editors are in a period of feast or famine, being consistent on making editing businesses discoverable will help generate new organic leads.

    Drop a post on LinkedIn about life as an editor, update the free opt-in on your website with higher value content, or send out a newsletter once a month to your email list. The more you make your business discoverable within your niche and include strong CTAs that lead back to your business website, the higher likelihood a new client will find you and reach out.