WHO WE ARE
More About Us
Sandy Maue
Fiction Editor and Writing Coach
Jessica Meyer
Academic and Fiction Editor
Destiny Fritz
Non-Fiction and Fiction Editor
There’s nothing I love more than a good ghost story or facing down a havoc wreaking demon. My focus is in fiction with a specialty in horror, paranormal horror, psychic/supernatural phenomena, mystery/suspense, and fantasy.
My editing journey began in college, 17 years ago. My peers and I formed a writing study group to get us through English Composition and other writing intensive classes. I fell into the role of critiquing and editing papers, and loved it.
After college, one of my fellow alumni invited me to join a writer’s group she had established that focused on critiquing and support. Two years later, I took over the mantle of moderator when she left. I’ve evolved the format of the group into a continuous workshop where the members learn how to hone their writing skills. Several of the members are now my clients.
It’s extremely rewarding to help an author achieve his or her vision of a manuscript. I offer several avenues of editorial services to help bring your story to life:
· Manuscript evaluation with detailed comments/suggestions throughout your manuscripts.
· Line-by-line/copy-editing in the technical areas of grammar, word usage, tone, and structure with some possible rewriting suggestions.
· Substantive/Content editing focusing on big picture areas such as setting, structure, pace, and character development.
Developmental editing involves working with the author to flesh out the story and work through all the elements of writing to develop a publishable manuscript.
· Writing coaching involving one-on-one guidance for all the elements of novel or short story writing.
A good editor will communicate with a writer to maintain the integrity of their vision by providing corrections and/or suggestions that allow the author to gain some experience and revamp their story in their own voice. I like to read through a manuscript 2-3 times, taking notes along the way, to provide the best feedback I can. I use track changes and comments to mark up a manuscript along with providing a style sheet containing all my notes. I maintain open communication with my clients to discuss any suggested changes and to answer questions.
My goal is to make your manuscript the best it can be while maintaining your vision and your voice. I want to feel that little ping in my heart when I see your story in print and know I had a hand in helping you get it there.
One night, during my freshman year in college, I was helping one of my friends with a persuasive paper. English was not her native language, so it took time to help her develop and organize her thoughts into written words. I realized then how much I enjoyed editing. It wasn’t simply about correcting punctuation and checking grammar, but about helping her further enhance and explore her writing. Working with ESL students has helped me further my skill set in writing coaching.
After college, a friend of mine asked me to use my editing skills on a fiction manuscript she was working on. I gave her the benefit of a substantive and copy edit, and later did a final proofread for her. From there my journey into fiction editing began.
Like the writing process, editing takes time. A good editor should provide you with options and advice to help you achieve clarity. Communication is key to a successful collaboration between a writer and editor. Using track changes, comments and a style sheet, I will offer constructive feedback and technical direction. My goal is to provide you with a polished manuscript you can feel confident in.
For academic and ESL (English as a Second Language) individuals, my services include:
· Writing Coaching: assistance with content development, organization, flow of ideas
· Developmental Editing: assistance with direction and focus of the topic
· Content/ Substantive Editing: assistance with clarity, word usage and style
· Line-by-Line/ Copyediting: assistance with grammatical and structural errors, as well as word usage
· Proofreading: correction of grammatical errors and punctuation
I am proficient in MLA, APA, Chicago Manual of Style, and AP formatting.
My services for fiction editing include:
· Content/ Substantive Editing: focusing on the progression of the story, such as plot and character development
· Line-by-Line/ Copyediting: focusing on grammatical and structural errors, as well as word usage
· Proofreading: correction of grammatical errors and punctuation
Fiction genres I enjoy include historical romance, romance, young adult, fantasy, mystery/thriller, paranormal/supernatural, and psychic phenomena.
I’m a member of a writing group that has helped enforce my passion for editing fiction. It has aided me in honing my critiquing skills and expanded on my writing by deepening my knowledge of format, technique, style, and voice.
I love the feeling when someone tells me I’ve helped them achieve their vision for their written works. Nothing is more rewarding to me than helping you, the writer, reach your goals.
I am passionate about the written word. I enjoy reading a piece and figuring out its
I am passionate about the written word. I enjoy reading a piece and figuring out its direction and ways it can be improved. I enjoy the collaboration that takes place between writer and editor when working diligently towards a common goal.
​
Fifteen years ago, as a freshman in college, I started proofreading and critiquing for my friends who struggled with essay writing. Over time I provided more in-depth assistance with line-by-line/copy editing and substantive editing. I also helped the writer hone their own skills and achieve their own potential through their writing with writing coaching. When my attention turned to fiction, I moved into the realm of developmental editing as well.
​
A good editor should constantly be learning and growing. A big part of editing is researching new material and brushing up on old material on a regular basis. An editor is only as effective as the resources she keeps at her fingertips.
​
I continue growing as an editor, and a writer, through extensive reading and experience. My bookshelf content is varied with stacks of academic journal articles, novels, autobiographies, and reference books in genres ranging from political and religious to romance and classic literature. I enjoy reading, and editing provides an outlet to read a lot of material.
​
My experience with editing varies in several genres spanning fiction and non-fiction. In fiction, I am proficient in comedy, crime, drama, erotica, historical romance and drama, romance, horror, paranormal horror, and thriller. The non-fiction genres I can help you with include academic essays and articles, autobiographies, biographies, blogging, memoirs, web content, topical discussion/research manuscripts.
​
I love being able to figure out the best way to say the perfect sentiment. I enjoy the challenge of arranging words in such a way that they incite emotions. I find satisfaction in the editing process, because it helps a fellow writer see the weak spots of their manuscript and ways to improve them. If my editing shows someone different ways in which they can advance their writing skills, then I’ve done my job.
​
My editing process starts and ends with open communication. I will go through the manuscript thoroughly before making any edits or suggestions. Once I’ve made my first round of edits, I will return the manuscript with a style sheet for review. From there I will work in collaboration with the author to make any adjustments needed. After that, I will do my second work through before providing the final proofs.
​
The editing services I provide are:
-
Proofreading
-
Copy-Editing
-
Substantive Editing
-
Developmental Editing
-
Writing Coaching
No writer should go it alone. I encourage writers to find a writer’s group where constructive (not harmful or mean) criticism takes place and there are discussions on technique, publishing, and self-editing. The group experience better prepares writers for when they decide to take their work to a professional editor.
​
Writing is a journey where we all grow and learn. We must allow for this growth. Without it writing ceases to be a fun process and turns into a tedious exercise where we fruitlessly bang our heads against the wall.
