Editing services

I’m currently OPEN for the following…

DEVELOPMENTAL EDIT

A developmental edit is in-depth breakdown of your book. This is where I’m digging into every aspect of what’s on the page—plot, pacing, characters, readability, etc. As I’m reading, I make comments about these things in the margins; the gut reader reaction. Once that’s all done, I write an edit letter, talking about what’s working, what’s not, and what you need to do to take things to the next level. I read with an eye toward your goals, whether that’s self- or traditional publishing. I also offer light copy-editing—especially if there are mistakes you’re making over and over that need to be fixed—as well as teachable items that you can carry with you into your next book. The goal is to make your book the best version of itself it can be, while making you a stronger writer in the process. This option is better for novice writers who are still learning their craft, or writers who really want to drill down on mechanics.

Turnaround time: 3-4 weeks

Cost: 0.04 a word (75,000 words = $3,000)

EDITORIAL ASSESSMENT

An editorial assessment is a little like a developmental edit, just a little less in-depth; I’m reading with an eye toward the same major points—plot, pacing, character, readability, etc. You would get an edit letter talking about what’s working and what’s not, with guidance to help you as you move into revisions. It would not include copyediting or margin notes. This is a better option for more seasoned writers who need help spotting weak links in the work, or if you’re just on the cusp but want to be sure you’re hitting on all cylinders.

Cost: 0.025 a word (75,000 words = $1,875)

Turnaround time: 2-3 weeks

QUERY PACKAGE

I also offer a query package, which is full analysis/edit of your query letter and synopsis ($150). For an additional $600 I would edit your first 20,000 words (total $750). I know what’s going to grab the attention of an agent or an editor, both in the letter, and in the opening of your book.

Turnaround time: 1-2 weeks

BOOK COACHING

I also offer book coaching—in which we would hop on a Zoom or phone call to talk about your story, the publishing industry, or really whatever it is you want—for $100 an hour. This can be a recurring thing, too—weekly or monthly check-ins to talk about your work and your progress. I can also provide feedback on pages, for the development edit rates above.

Cost: $100 an hour + 5,000 words ($200) = $300 total

You can contact me here to let me know what you’re looking for, or if you have any questions.

Why work with me? Here are some reasons!

• I’ve written a dozen books, including The Warehouse, which sold in more than 20 countries, The Paradox Hotel, which was named one of the best books of 2022 by NPR, and Assassins Anonymous, which was optioned for film by Steven Spielberg and hit the USA TODAY bestseller list.
• I participated twice in Pitch Wars, and both my mentees landed with solid agents and got major publishing deals.
• I worked as an editor and publisher, running MysteriousPress.com for several years, during which I edited and acquired novels, and saw a lot of the behind-the-scenes machinery.
• I’ve published more than 20 short stories, including a Star Wars story. I received a Derringer Award nomination for best flash fiction story, and my short story “Take-Out” appeared in Best American Mystery Stories 2018. I also received honorable mention in Best American Mystery Stories 2015, 2017 and 2022.
• My essays and articles have been published at places like Writer’s Digest, Salon, The Daily Beast, Criminal Element, and CrimeReads.
• I’ve ran the online writing workshop program at LitReactor for ten years, lectured several times for Writer’s Digest, and currently teach in the Writing Popular Fiction MFA program at Seton Hill Univeristy.

I’ve seen a bit and done a bit, but more importantly than that, I really like talking craft and working with writers. If you’re got a manuscript that needs a boost, or someone to help you make the story crackle, I’m your guy. If you’ve got an idea and don’t know where to start and just need to spitball, we could do that too.

You can contact me here.

I’m also generally available for teaching and speaking gigs, both online, and in-person in the New York City area.

BOOKS I’VE EDITED AND TESTIMONIALS

“I couldn’t be happier with Rob’s capability to help bring my manuscript to its fullest potential. He went above and beyond to work with my schedule and handled my story with the utmost professionalism and care. I recommend his editing services to anyone who takes their work-in-progress seriously, and I already look forward to tapping him for my next project.” —Jax Miller, author of Freedom’s Child

“Trusting Rob with my editing my debut novel was one of the best decisions I made. His concise comments zeroed in on needed revisions, and his encouragement gave me the confidence to know I was on the right track. And wow, was he fast. He returned my manuscript in record time, which allowed me to keep working without missing a beat. Highly recommended.” —Hugh Lessig, author of Fadeaway Joe

“Rob’s insight and guidance made my manuscript better and helped me become a better writer. His keen editorial eye saw what I set out to do with my work, and he provided me with a detailed plan toward executing that vision and fulfilling its potential. From developmental edits to fine-tuning the manuscript to be market-ready, Rob truly took my writing to the next level, and he did so with professionalism and genuine investment in the book’s success.” —Victor Manibo, Pitch Wars mentee, author of Sleepless

“Rob saw straight to the heart of my manuscript. He immediately understood what made the plot and characters tick, and then helped me build a stronger story around those. I’m consistently impressed by Rob’s sharp editorial instincts, his insight into the market, and his genuine commitment to helping writers reach their goals.” —Jennifer Mandula, Pitch Wars mentee, author of The Geomagician