While many of our editing and consultation services were originally developed with the experienced writer and the effort to publish traditionally in mind, we also welcome the opportunity to work with authors who are new to their craft, who want to self publish to a very high standard of quality, or who need help bringing a book idea to fruition. If you’d like to tell us a little more about your situation and have us recommend an approach, we invite you to take our new client questionnaire. Otherwise, you can read on to learn more about some of the situations and circumstances we’re best suited to help with.
For writers of all genres wanting to make sure their manuscript is ready for primetime
One of the most common mistakes many authors make is sending out queries and submissions before a manuscript is actually ready for the discriminating eye of agents and publishers. We can read your manuscript and provide candid, insightful feedback on how well or poorly your manuscript or submissions packet is likely to be received and what can be done to improve the odds of a warm reception. Please see our traditional publishing support page for more information. We have been in business for 39 years and have been recommended by Preditors & Editors, a literary watchdog group, so you can rest assured that we’re legitimate and sincere.
For fiction authors new to the editorial process
We can read your draft and give you candid, constructive criticism and direction as to what’s working and what’s not. (For more information, please visit our manuscript critique page.) We can coach you in any areas of craft you need to develop and teach you how to find and refine your own voice. We can teach you how to edit yourself so that your job and ours are both easier. We can give you an honest assessment of how close or far you are from having a marketable, publishable book and tell you what steps you need to take to get it there. In short, we can help you make your first manuscript the best it can be and in the process teach you about yourself as an author and about the craft of writing. Then, if we think your book has a good chance of getting published we can help you find a literary agent.
For experts in a particular field with a book idea but no writing background
We can help you create an outline, define exactly what you want to say and how to structure it, and draft a stellar book proposal. We can teach you how to market the book and yourself to agents and publishers. We can coach you to help you find your writing voice, because even in nonfiction voice counts a great deal. Or, if you prefer, we can collaborate on or ghostwrite the text of your story and let you provide the facts.
For published authors looking to take their writing career to the next level
We can help you continue a series, develop new arcs for your characters, maintain the voice and pace that made your published book successful–in other words, we can help you stay out of the dreaded “sophomore slump.” We can also help you find a literary agent if you’re not already under contract via our traditional publishing support services.
For writers in mid-manuscript who’re struggling with what direction to take a story
We can help you develop a developmental outline that creates a full, fleshed-out plot and a strong arc for each of your characters, figure out where you’re getting stuck, and help you get past it.
For book authors looking to adapt their work into screenplay format
We have two professional screenwriters on staff with adaptation experience. More information about adaptation work and how we can help is available here.
For screenwriters
TED offers a variety of services ranging from short critiques and script evaluations to full-blown development and novelizations. Visit our Screenplays & Screenplay Adaptations page for full details.
These are just a few of the situations we’re prepared to help with. If you have questions about other services or want to discuss your needs further, just contact Ross Browne in the Tucson office and we’ll be happy to explore options with you.