AS A CREATIVE WRITER, children’s book editor, and long-time manuscript editor at the University of Chicago Press, I’ve read thousands of queries and drafts by writers of everything from picture books to scholarly monographs. My book The Subversive Copy Editor is all about win-win strategies for editors and writers, a book Publishers Weekly called “practical, relentlessly supportive and full of ed-head laughs.” My middle-grade novel Eddie’s War was a Best Book at Kirkus, Bankstreet, and the Chicago Public Library and a Horn Book recommended verse narrative.  

My sessions are geared toward helping writers give their work a final polish before they submit.

Webinars and Conference Sessions

♦ Acts of Submission: Working with Editors (60–90 minutes)

Understanding the goals of copyediting gives writers an immediate advantage in the creative breaking of style and grammar “rules” to achieve a professional look in their submissions. As a contributing editor and blogger for The Chicago Manual of Style (the style guide used by most trade book publishers in the US), I understand how fiction writers can make the best use of this daunting—yet lovable!—reference book to negotiate effectively with the agents, editors, and copyeditors who handle their work.

Includes:

• a 10-minute shrinking of the 1,200-page Chicago Manual of Style to a lovable, usable writing tool
• 10 hackle-raising formatting and style gaffes writers can eliminate from their manuscripts
• 5 easy insider tactics for credibly faking Chicago style

 

 

♦ From Yourself to the Shelf: How a Book Gets Published (60–90 minutes)

Knowing in advance what happens in copyediting and proofreading helps writers understand their responsibilities, manage expectations, and work well with editors. This introduction to the publishing process from submission to printed (or digital) product will prepare writers to work capably alongside traditional or indie-press pros in delivering their work to readers.

Bonus tips:

• 2 essential steps to getting a foot in the publishing door
• building an online presence
• endearing yourself to editors

 

♦ [Your Topic Here] (30–90 minutes)

Let me know what you need! We’ll work together to tailor a session for your event.

 

♦ Always a good time

Read what others have to say about my sessions.