SERVICESSince 2015, I have provided detailed professional consultations and editing services for a wide array of private clients on fiction and non-fiction manuscripts, including: single short stories, creative non-fiction personal essays, novellas & novelettes, short story collections and/or essay collections, novels, works of longform narrative non-fiction, and memoirs. My preferred editing genres span far & wide, although I am particularly well-versed in: the literary short story, the personal essay, novels of speculative fiction (sci-fi, horror, urban fantasy), experimental fiction, upmarket literary fiction (novels, stories), and the crime novel. My consultations & edits include a careful read-through of the manuscript in question, with an extensive developmental comment and, if requested, in-text line edits.
But what do I mean by manuscript consultations, book editing & writing coaching, really? I am willing either to brainstorm and spitball ideas for a developing large-scale writing project (writing coaching), or to edit early and late drafts of an existing narrative project (manuscript consultations, book editing), with an eye for making said project as publishable as possible. In other words, it will be my goal to collaborate with you in turning your manuscript into a traditionally published book. Indeed, many of my consultees & editing clients have gone on to become published authors as a direct or indirect result of my services. And what can you expect if you do decide to work with me? In my editorial practice itself, I tend to take an approach of providing affirmative & critical feedback in equal measure, as well as always approaching a narrative on its own terms. In other words, I will never attempt to make your manuscript into what I would personally like it to be over and above coaxing it gently towards the fullest version of what it originally intended to be. And in the course of any editing project I am a BIG believer in discerning & identifying your manifest strengths as a writer first, allowing what you're doing right & well in your manuscript to guide the process--as opposed to focusing solely on what you're doing wrong (although some of that is of course important, too!). In making my editorial assessments of your work, I bring 15+ years of experience moving within American literary & publishing circles to the table, which includes an intimate knowledge of the fiction marketplace, both indie & Big 5. My editorial eye tends to zero in on both craft-oriented & market driven concerns including, but hardly limited to: structure, characterization, POV, atmosphere, language, voice, genre, and audience. I am tremendously excited to work with you in bringing your fiction manuscript to generations of readers & beyond! PACKAGESPACKAGE 1: A read-through and 2-4 page, single-spaced developmental letter on a single story and/or creative non-fiction essay of up to 30 pages in length w/ 1 follow-up 45-minute Zoom session, phone call, or email: 250.00
With in-text line edits: 400.00 Or: one 1-hour brainstorming/developmental session for a large-scale narrative project by Zoom or phone call, w/ a 1-2 page single-spaced follow-up developmental comment: 250.00. This would amount to one "Writing Coach Session," which is something that can be made into a long-standing arrangement, depending on need. PACKAGE 2: A read-through and 10-15 page, single-spaced developmental letter on a full manuscript of fiction or creative non-fiction of up to 350 pages in length w/ 1 hour-long follow-up Zoom session, phone call or email: 2000.00 With in-text line edits: 3,500.00 STIPULATIONS: The above rates and prices apply to manuscripts of up to 350 double-spaced pages, as stated. Any manuscript over 350 pages will be prorated in a mutually satisfactory agreement between author and editor. Manuscripts should be submitted in Doc.x format with Times New Roman 12-point font, double-spaced & numbered pages, and 1" margins. For non-fiction texts that are not creative non-fiction, historical narrative non-fiction, or memoir, e.g. an academic, business or medical-oriented text, please contact me to discuss." |
CLIENT BLURBS"Adrian is a fantastic editor. He got my novel into great shape and made it shine. I highly recommend him. He's a strong, conscientious reader, and you want him in your corner." — Ross Barkan, Author of Glass Century and Colossus & Award-Winning New York Times Magazine Journalist "As a screenwriter with 35 produced international credits, a tenured professor of screenwriting at USC's School of Cinematic Arts, and an international script doctor and consultant, I've spent more than forty years teaching screen and television writing and editing screenplays. Yet writing my first novel scared the hell out of me. When I finished the first draft, I realized I needed to learn the craft of novel writing on a much deeper level. Instead of enrolling in an MFA program, I hired Adrian. His editorial notes and line edit on my historical novel went far beyond improving my first draft. Through his thoughtful, insightful, and always encouraging guidance, I came to understand the essential differences between writing for the screen and writing fiction. Storytelling concepts I had taught for decades—interiority, point of view, and action—took on new meaning as I worked through the rewrite. As I near the end of that process, I feel as though my manuscript has become the novel I set out to write. Adrian is far more than an exceptional editor. He is an exceptional teacher. If you want someone who will not only make your manuscript better but make you a better writer, I can't recommend him highly enough." — Don Bohlinger, Screen and Television Writer, Professor USC’s School of Cinematic Arts "Adrian is a terrific editor. He hones in on what is working in a story, and then he explains what still needs work. His detailed critiques are as supportive as they are helpful, and he has always pointed me in the right direction for revision. His explanations helped me expand my characters in a way that deepened the narrative and made it more compelling. After working with Adrian for two years, I published several stories and was able to get my collection published." — Carol Dines, author of This Distance We Call Love "Adrian Van Young has been my most trusted beta reader for years. He has a sharp editorial eye for everything from the line level to the overall structure and I always trust his feedback. (And he's also an excellent writer to boot!)" — Lincoln Michel, author of Metallic Realms and The Body Scout "“I have an M.F.A. and a Ph.D. in creative writing (fiction) and have worked with several consultants to revise my manuscripts for publication. Adrian's detailed, positive, and knowledgeable comments have been the best I have received. I was able to re-envision the short story and novel he critiqued, seeing them with fresh eyes and fresh ideas which made revision an exciting, creative process. I look forward to crediting his insights when they are published and working with him again. I highly recommend him.” — M. Kaat Toy, author of In a Cosmic Egg and Disturbed Sleep “Adrian Van Young was recommended to me as a possible editor for a manuscript. On a whim, I asked him to take a look, not expecting much. For a very small fee, too small, I received three type-written pages of response. It took my breath away. Every single short cut I took in the writing he put his finger right on!! It was painful but once I started breathing again it became illuminating. I will always be grateful. Not only is Adrian an excellent editor, he is a great teacher.” — Linda Mornell, author of Forever Changed "Adrian’s editorial comments were extremely helpful: intelligent, perceptive, to the point, and based in a clear understanding of what I was trying to do. As an editor he was insightful, supportive, and unafraid to say what needed to be said. I benefitted greatly from his comments and recommend him with great enthusiasm.” — Roger S. Gottlieb, professor of philosophy and author of eight books, including an award-winning story collection “Rush, hurry, before Adrian is swamped. His wise, investigative, delicate critique of my fiction was, and remains still, a constant, and major, assist to my writing.” — Judith Shaw, M.A, author of Raising Low-Fat Kids in a High-Fat World |