CUSTOM MANUSCRIPT MASTERPLAN
How do you know if your book is really finished?
What steps do you need to take to finally publish your book?
Through the Custom Manuscript Masterplan, a manuscript review service, I help authors put an end to the vicious rewrite, revise, and “Oh no, I changed my mind again!” cycle. I’ll use my editorial expertise to provide you with high-level feedback and put together a personalized path through the editing stages to take you from first to final draft.
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Here’s how the Custom Manuscript Masterplan works:
You’ll send me your book, whether it’s a first draft or a tenth draft. I’ll read it in-depth, taking notes along the way on everything from plot structures to character arcs and world-building effectiveness.
Reading in-depth means I’ll read what you’ve written with intentionality and curiosity, seeking to get to know your characters, the world of your book, and the intricacies of the plot. As I immerse myself in your book, I’ll make comments on your document, noting inconsistencies, asking questions, making suggestions, and giving you on-the-ground feedback and reactions as I experience the story you’ve created.
When I’m finished reading and taking notes, I’ll come back to you with a written editorial report, a masterplan, full of feedback and suggestions on what’s working well, and what revision and types of editing your book needs to make it ready for publication.
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First, the Custom Manuscript Masterplan will offer my overall impressions from a bird’s-eye view. This is a great way to check whether the themes and takeaways of your book are coming through clearly, whether the plot is focused, organized, and flows well, and whether your characters show growth between the beginning and the end.
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Next, I’ll tell you exactly what’s working well in your book. Whether it’s a successful twist in the plot, a character who jumps off the page, a richly developed world, or authentic dialogue, I’ll make sure you know your book’s strengths so you can feel confident what you’ve written.
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Then, I’ll provide detailed, actionable steps for revision. Whether it’s something big, like plot inconsistencies or a flat character, or something small, like consistent grammar errors, I’ll let you know. Far from picking your story apart, my goal is to help you produce a better story by equipping you with the knowledge you need to revise and self-edit with confidence.
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Finally, I’ll present a clear plan for moving through the editing process. This is the part where you stop spinning your wheels and breathe a sigh of relief. No more wondering if your book is ready. No more wondering if you’ve missed something important along the way. In this final section of the masterplan, you’ll know exactly what types of editing your book needs—with no wasted time, effort, or money in the process.
When it's all said and done, we'll schedule one-on-one time to review the report and talk through the strengths and areas for improvement in the manuscript, as well as recommended next steps. This is where I can answer pressing questions related to further editing, publishing, or other aspects of navigating the industry and share with you my favorite trusted resources for publishing success.
You can receive all of this personalized, professional feedback for just one payment of $650 or two payments of $325.
If you're ready for your Custom Manuscript Masterplan, reach out via my contact page and I'll send over the application to secure your spot.
Read what other authors have to say about the Custom Manuscript Masterplan:
“The manuscript review process was very professional. The inline comments on your reactions were great. You let me know when I had accomplished a surprise or stirred up an interesting question. I would definitely recommend a manuscript review to other writers.” - R. D. D. Smith, The Robot Surgeon Series
“I found your services so valuable. I was able to see where certain aspects of my manuscript didn't work the way I’d intended and how certain scenes could be moved to improve the flow of the book. Seeing the characters through someone else's eyes was a revealing experience that I didn't expect. I would recommend your services to other writers!” - Amora Blake, The Sweet Pea Ridge Series (Book 1: Falling for Gypsy)
"English is not my first language, and as this is my debut novel, I needed all the help I could get. My original manuscript was a collection of short stories, which required significant work to transform into a cohesive narrative. My manuscript went from 'salvageable' to something I actually enjoy reading. Sarah has been pivotal in how I learned to write a novel. I really appreciated Sarah's approach because her neutrality was very professional, which helped me focus on the areas that needed work first, rather than seeking reassurance. I highly recommend working with Sarah. Her support and expertise were invaluable in navigating the publishing process. In a field with many unreliable individuals, she stands out as a trustworthy professional. Without her guidance, I doubt I would have successfully published my work." - Tony Salles, The Coffee Traveler
"I owe Sarah a huge debt. After skim reading both the editorial report and the numerous insights Sarah left in the manuscript itself, I can see just how deeply she immersed herself into the book—thank you! This has been a truly rewarding experience and I would recommend Sarah's services to anyone." - Colin T., Detective fiction writer
“Sarah 'got' my book in all the ways I could have hoped, and she saw it differently in ways that will be meaningful for my revision. She strikes the right balance between genuine, enthusiastic praise and constructive criticism, and she makes me want to keep pushing my book forward but with a better sense of direction toward where that should be.” - Robert B., Fictionalized memoir writer
Stats
Books completed: 90
Words edited: ?
Authors worked with: 52
I help authors revise and edit their books, making them the best they can be. This is what I do, all day, every day. If you're looking for an editor who can be a team member, who can come alongside and help you get your book out into the world in a way that sets you up for long-term success as an author, you've come to the right place.
See what types of books I work with here:
Answers to Questions You Might Have
Q: Does my manuscript need to be complete before I send it to you?
At this time, I’m requesting that you have at least a complete first draft. It can be a “just finished” first draft—one that hasn’t received any feedback or that you haven’t revised or self-edited either.
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Q: How long does this process take?
I strive to hand over your Custom Manuscript Masterplan within 3 weeks (15 business days), depending on the length of your manuscript.
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Q: What types of books do you specialize in?
I specialize in fantasy (romance, high, epic, cozy, heroic, etc.), sci-fi (including dystopian), low spice romance (including romantasy), YA, and some mystery (cozy, spy, detective).
At this time I do not offer services for horror, paranormal, suspense, erotica, and nonfiction. This also includes any books with excessive gore/violence, sexual content, or trigger warnings.
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Q: What if I’m not happy with my feedback?
I work hard to provide my clients with the best feedback I can, and I take all feedback about my services seriously. If you’re not happy with the quality of the feedback you’ve received, please reach out. I’ll want to know more about what didn’t meet your expectations, and we can discuss how to move forward. In most circumstances, due to the nature of the work, my services are nonrefundable.
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Q: What’s the difference between the Custom Manuscript Masterplan and someone else who can read my book and provide feedback, like a beta reader?
I like to think of the Custom Manuscript Masterplan as beta reading on steroids—it’s next level! You’re not just receiving reader reactions that may or may not give you the information you need to make meaningful changes in your book. (Everyone has given their book to a friend, family member, or stranger on the internet expecting good feedback only to receive vague or only positive feedback or worse—no feedback at all.)
Instead, the Custom Manuscript Masterplan is all about giving you an honest reaction to your book alongside professional editorial feedback from an editor who understands not just the latest genre trends but also writing craft. And because I’m committed to excellence in my work and communication, I’m not going to drop off the face of the earth, and I’m going to return your manuscript to you with feedback in the agreed upon timeframe.
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Q: Are editing and proofreading included in the Custom Manuscript Masterplan?
The Custom Manuscript Masterplan does not include sentence-level editing (line or copyediting) or proofreading. As part of the process, I will not make changes directly to your manuscript, other than leaving comments. The Custom Manuscript Masterplan is for evaluative purposes only. Editing, proofreading, and formatting may be booked as separate services at a later date.
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Q: What if I want to hire you for editing and proofreading my book?
Once you’ve received your Custom Manuscript Masterplan, if you feel we share the same vision for your book, then we’ll discuss putting together an editorial service package customized to your book’s needs. And, of course, the investment for the Custom Manuscript Masterplan will 100% count toward any editorial service package that you book with me in the future.
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Q: What will happen once I apply? How will I know I’ve been accepted?
Once I’ve received your application and had a chance to look over it, I’ll reach out via email so we can chat more about your expectations, and I can share my availability with you. If it seems like you’re a good fit for this service, you’ll be able to book this service quickly to secure your spot on my calendar.
Secure your Custom Manuscript Masterplan here: