"The Arts Columnist" - a painting of Jan DeGrass in writerly pose by Sechelt artist Yzabelle Delisle Milton.
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Welcome to Edit Your WordsI am available to help you with your writing projects.Over the past years I have led many a writer through the process of working on a manuscript, writing, re-writing and polishing the final product. I've worked on non-fiction books, articles, memoirs, novels and press releases. I have also written promotional material for my editing clients including cover blurbs, website articles and reviews. You can read a few of their comments below. Being an editor is a bit like being a coach. I've cheered, urged and bullied writers on to better results. I've laughed with them and passed the Kleenex box when things weren't going well. The telephone pep talks and the writing group encouragement are all part of the game.  Jan DeGrass leads a Sunday morning writing critique group in Gibsons, B.C. My Editing Qualifications:Solid Writing Experience
www.potluckcookbook.com My first website describes one of my own self published works--my cookbook: Take Potluck! 101 Tasty, Simple Dishes for your Potluck Party. The website also includes a portfolio of several major articles. Honesty with Tact
"To submit my writing to an editor for the first time felt intimidating: I was baring my soul, terrified that it would get trampled. With Jan, I needn't have worried. Years of experience reviewing books and writing up the local arts scene, conducting a lively writing group, and editing one-on-one enable Jan to zero in with a sure touch on the writing's strengths, and where it needs tightening, a character or a theme needs expanding, etc. She does this with the utmost tact, and is unfailingly encouraging and supportive. Jan has taught me a lot -- including how important a good editor is, especially for those of us who plan to self-publish: no matter how good we think a piece of writing is, we just don't catch all the mistakes and weak points in our own work. Thank you Jan!" ~Sheila Weaver, B.C. "Knowing that choosing an editor is a very important part of the job of a writer, I chose Jan DeGrass, whose work I very much appreciate, to edit my book, Honouring the Child. She read the draft within a reasonable time and worked with me, putting forth some very helpful suggestions. I made the changes. I then asked her to reread the manuscript after which she made further suggestions. As a result, my book is considered to be well-written and I attribute that, in part, to Jan's very capable editing. I recommend Jan as an editor. She is knowledgeable, helpful, prompt and reasonable." ~ Pamela Proctor www.honouringthechild.com "When I first went to see Jan DeGrass, I had drifted away from my writing and was looking for a way back to it. I joined Jan's writing group and not only did I receive outstanding editing help, I also felt strongly encouraged to start submitting my work again. Within a year, I had won a short story contest and saw my work published in several print and online venues. That set me on the road to developing myself as a writer and ultimately starting my own PR service for authors. I highly recommend Jan as a top editor with terrific coaching skills to boot." ~ Carol Upton, Dreams Aloud Promotions www.dreamsaloud.ca To see an expanded curriculum vitae Jan Degrass Curriculum Vitae (pdf). What I can do:Copy editing: How do I punctuate my dialogue? Is that soul or sole? Should I use reigns or reins or rains? Where do I put the apostrophe? Are all the place names accurate? Does my character have blue eyes in chapter one and brown eyes in chapter five? Copy editing is more than simply proofreading and it cannot be accomplished with a spellcheck program. My work includes checking your manuscript for spelling, punctuation, grammar, and then proofreading for consistency. It does not include style or substance revisions or re-writing. Fee: $30/hr. Substantive editing: Is my story engaging? Do my characters come alive? Are my explanations clear to the reader? Have I used precise vocabulary? Does it flow? This is sometimes called style editing. It includes copy editing as above plus changes to style or content. I examine the structure, pace and clarity of your work and suggest changes. This may involve re-writing. Substantive editing requires much consultation with you and is well worth it. Fee: $40/hr. Manuscript critique: I can assess your manuscript for style, shape, interest, and major recurring errors. My assessment includes a written critique plus time spent together going over my suggestions. You take your manuscript away and make your changes. Fee: Dependent on length and complexity--between $100-300. One-on-one editing sessions: These days you don't have to live around the corner for us to get together. We can meet face to face if you are close by or we can meet via Skype and send material back and forth on e-mail. If we meet face to face we can accomplish a lot in a one or two hour, hands on session. You take your manuscript away with you, make revisions and bring it back again. It may seem a slow and plodding method, but believe me, based on my 20 plus years of writing experience, it works. Fee: $30/hr Self publishing: I can help your manuscript on the road to self publishing. The concept of paying to have a company publish your work has lost some of the stigma associated with vanity press. Publishing technology improvements make it a practical and affordable choice. Many terrific books have been published independently and then picked up later by a trade publisher. But-when you self publish, it is more important than ever to hire a skilled editor because you will not receive the benefit of a trade publisher's editing service. Edit BEFORE you publish; not spend a lifetime regretting a book full of mistakes. I have no business connections with self publishing companies but could recommend some steps in that direction based on clients' experiences. Fee: As determined in advance. What I can't do:Almost nothing  .
But seriously ... in the end the responsibility for your work rests with you. It is your baby.
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