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451 Books offers editing services by Dave Richardson, specializing in writing for children. Please be aware, we can not guarantee manuscript acceptance by any publishers, but we can offer you experienced editorial assistance to help you present a polished and professional submission.. 

Books I've edited: Wakem the Rooster: Up All Night by David Fitzsimmons. The Other Side of Christmas and The Other Side of Easter by Beth Gully.  My experience beyond this is 20+ years as a book buyer and manager for Blue Marble Children's Books and am the owner of my own shop, 451 Books,. I've worked as both a professional freelance writer and as a book reviewer/columnist  for The International Reading Association. 

My rates vary according to the project presented. I am open to most projects, unless the premise is something I'm currently working on, or I feel the topic/genre is not something I have experience with. 

CRITIQUE $75.00  for the first hour. 

  This would entail a complete reading of the manuscript. A written analysis of it's strengths, weaknesses, some editorial suggestions/questions if needed. It would not include line editing, specifics on manuscript passages, or suggestions on specific changes.  

  For a picture book, this would be an hour of work. For longer works, I'd be able to give you a firm  price when I see the manuscript or have a better idea of length. Longer works require more time.  Full length novels may take 6 or more hours.  I will provide you with a written price for longer works.

  Critique of cover letters, queries, and/or synopses is also available for the same rates.

IN-DEPTH EDITING  $90.00  for the first hour. 

   This would included the critique portion, along with line editing where needed, editorial suggestions on specific passages, and editorial questions to help focus the manuscript. Again, longer works would have to be evaluated before quoting a price. Please note that line editing is a time-intensive task. Longer works my or may not need every page  line edited. In order to  minimize cost and maximize my services, it's strongly suggested that this service not be used unless the manuscript is as far as the writer is able to take it without help. 

SELF-PUBLISHED WORK

   I am more than happy to work with writers planning to self-publish. I do offer other consulting fees for those wishing to discuss publishing options, how to get books into bricks-and mortar stores, and  suggestions on marketing. Please contact me if interested. 

How do I pay/

   https://checkout.square.site/pay/28b72048e6ad4b288255e690a9804e52  For Critiques (1 hour)

   https://checkout.square.site/pay/d218ae1e44754f8eab281cb0fa32cf46 For in depth (1 hours)

  https://checkout.square.site/pay/60f16af2475b46fda027dac4e744f271 longer Critiques

When do I pay?

   Unless I have worked with you on a previous project, or I know you personally, payment will need to be made in full on shorter pieces of work prior to the work beginning, and on an agreed upon payment schedule for longer pieces. Please note that if the agreed upon schedule is not followed all work will cease until payment is made. 

How long will this take?

   Again, it depends on the length of the work, what is expected, and where the project is in it's readiness to be submitted or put in print, and what projects are already on the table for me. In general, picture books do not usually take too long once the manuscript is received. 

HOW DO I KNOW YOU'RE LEGIT?

  Honestly, you don't. There are various references on the website you can check to make sure I exist and find out more about me with simple Google searches, but if you require more, contact me.  I'm not without references. Please note, that the publishing industry while appearing vast, is actually quite small.  If I was not legitimate, those Google searches would quickly tell you that, along with anyone in the industry.