Keen Eye Editing

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So you've got this manuscript...

You’ve written the romance you’ve had bouncing around in your head forever. Part of you is immensely proud of the accomplishment—as you should be!—yet part of you is terrified that the story is crap.

Perhaps you’re concerned the characters are stereotypes, or that the narrative lacks energy. Perhaps you’re afraid you’ve hit every romance cliche known to both print and film, or that you relied too heavily on miscommunication to create conflict.

Bottom line, you know it needs work—but you have no idea how to go about revising it. Where to even begin.

What now?

You need an editor to help you decide what works in the manuscript and what doesn’t; an unbiased professional who can identify the areas in which you excel, as well as the aspects that could be improved. An editor who, for instance, enjoys watching the snapping chemistry between your hero and heroine as they exchange witty banter—but who also recognizes if it loses its humor and relevance.

You need an editor who knows the conventions of the romance genre and who’s familiar with the tropes of the subgenres, from sexy urban fantasies to chaste inspirational westerns to plot-driven military thrillers. A fan of the genre who can tell you that the craze for erotic romances with single-object covers has quieted; that new adult never really caught on; and that contemporary rom-coms are gaining traction because their attractively hand-illustrated covers with cartoon figures don’t perpetuate the “indecent” stigma of clinch covers, which many people still equate with bad writing and lust without story.

And of course, you need a considerate editor who will validate your concerns as well as encourage you to forge ahead—but also a candid one who won’t gloss over the manuscript’s issues.

You need an editor who’s worth your time and your money.

My name is Danielle Stockdale, and if you identified with any of the above, I may be the editor for you.

Check out my About page to learn more.

"Danielle is a dream come true for authors who need a keen eye to look over their manuscript. The critique she offers is brilliantly done. She points out what works and what doesn't, often finding things others have missed, and offers great ideas. She truly gets absorbed in the story and goes into rich detail to help strengthen your novel. Whether you are planning to submit to an agent or go indie, I highly recommend the service Keen Eye Editing provides."

Angela Smith

young adult manuscript