Flubs2Fixes: Now with Developmental Editing!

Does your writing need a boost? Are you stuck, not knowing what to do next? Is it the plot? Is it the characters? What is it?

I can help. I’m adding developmental editing to my editing services here at Flubs2Fixes. As the photo above says, I’m saying “yes” to new adventures.

I’ve been preparing for this by taking courses and webinars from the Editorial Freelancers’ Association, as well as reading and learning and growing in my knowledge of the writing process. I’m looking forward to working with writers to help make their manuscripts SOAR.

My developmental edits will include

  • an in-depth written analysis in an editorial letter (Word document)
  • comments made on the manuscript in Track Changes
  • feedback and suggestions on all aspects of your manuscript including character development, plot, pacing, voice, theme, and more.

I might also include

  • suggested resources
  • further reading such as mentor texts
  • information sheets on specific topics.

I specialize in kids’ fiction: picture books, chapter books, and middle grade novels only. Non-rhyming text is preferred, but I will edit rhyming text. I particularly enjoy working with new writers – but all are welcome to request my services.

As a bonus during the launch period only, I am offering ALL new clients a 10% discount on their edit, either developmental edit or copy edit. This discount will only last until August 31, 2022.

During the launch period, I will be tweeting writing and self-editing tips on a regular basis. You can follow my Twitter feed at @BethStilborn. I’ll also be posting the tips on my Flubs2Fixes Facebook Page.

I look forward to helping writers make their manuscripts SOAR!

To learn more about my editing services, please check out my Services page. I hope you’ll soon be clicking on the Contact button!

Feel free to share this post, and my Virtual Business Card (below), with people you know who are looking for an editor.

Here’s to great manuscripts! Here’s to soaring!

I’m on the GROG blog today!

Ready to edit!

I’m very pleased to be featured on the GROG blog today, as my friend and writing accountability partner Kathy Halsey interviews me about editing in general, and my editing services in particular.

The GROG blog is a group blog with a mission to provide guidance and support, resources for the craft of writing, opportunities to grow our skills, and great folks who care about readers and writers of all ages.

Come on over and read the interview!

Sources for webinars — a boon for writers

In the first half of this year (can we be halfway through the year already?) I benefited from several webinars about different aspects of writing. A few were free, a few had a fee, but all were worthwhile.

Among them were an Agents Day hosted by SCBWI Wisconsin, a webinar about writing first pages in middle grade and YA novels hosted by SCBWI-SouthWest Texas, one on writing the middle of novels entitled (Un)Stuck in the Middle presented by Lorin Oberweger and hosted by SCBWI Nebraska, a couple of webinars about revision from the Children’s Book Insider, and a couple from KidLit Nation. It was a rich time of learning.

How did I find out about such fabulous webinars, you ask? Here’s the scoop:

SCBWI-Nevada does all SCBWI members (and others) a huge favor by keeping track of SCBWI webinars that are happening all over the United States. You can access the list at their site, Nevada SCBWI (you’ll see webinar in the sidebar if you’re on their homepage). Their listing of webinars is kept current and there are always gems to be found. Usually there’s a charge for non-members, as well as a lower charge for SCBWI members. For someone like me, who lives out of easy traveling range to my SCBWI chapter, this gives me an opportunity to make use of my membership in a tangible way. And my writing has definitely benefited!

Children’s Book Insider is a fantastic resource for anyone who writes children’s books, from board books on up through YA. There’s a membership fee involved, but the tons of resources, monthly ‘magazine’, and frequent learning opportunities make the fee worthwhile. Some of the webinars I’ve participated in have been free, others have had a fee, but all have been excellent.

KidLit Nation is a fabulous source of webinars and of great discussion on Own Voices writing, and on ensuring that diverse books are available to all, and that our writing is sensitive to the needs of all. In their own words: Our mission is to help educate and provide opportunities for diverse children’s writers and illustrators of color and connect them to resources and opportunities from around the publishing industry.

Emma Walton Hamilton and Julie Foster Hedlund offer great webinars from time to time, as well as the fantastic one-day online conference, Picture Book Summit, coming up this year on Saturday, October 6. For the Summit, they are joined by Laura Backes and Jon Bard of Children’s Book Insider and Katie Davis of the Institute for Children’s Literature. Watch for the Mini-Summit coming up at some point before the full one!

There are many other sources of great webinars. This should get you started.

Check Out This Resource!

I am all too aware that this blog has been sadly neglected for far too long. My apologies!

Flubs2Fixes is definitely open for business, and this blog is about to be resuscitated, at least for a little while, before the summer break. I’ll have an official “I’m BACK!” post next week.

I have several great books and other resources that I’m eager to share with you. What I plan to do through May and possibly June is to post about them on Mondays. If you know of any books or resources that you think I should feature, let me know in the comments (on this or any future post) and I’ll take a look.

One resource I want to mention before next Monday is Emma Walton Hamilton and Julie Foster Hedlund‘s COMPLETE PICTURE BOOK SUBMISSION SYSTEM. They only offer this once or twice a year, and it’s currently available for purchase — but only until May 7th. I can vouch for them both as being extremely knowledgeable in the field of picture books.

Having taken their webinar “Get The Picture Book Hook” which features a small portion of this extensive resource, I can confidently predict that the full Submission System will be incredibly helpful to anyone who is in the process of submitting to agents or editors. If you write other types of children’s books, I suspect you’d find it helpful, too. You can learn more at this link: THE COMPLETE PICTURE BOOK SUBMISSION SYSTEM. Remember — the window of opportunity for this time around will be closing on May 7th. Side note: I just love their logo for this — an airplane with wings that are a book, and a propeller that’s made of a pen, a pencil, and a paintbrush.

That’s all for this week. Watch for my links to book and resource posts right here beginning next week.