FAQs: Sage Editing
What category of books do you work on?
Nearly everything except fantasy, speculative fiction, literary or science fiction, horror, and poetry.
What category of books do you specialize in?
Queer romance and detective thrillers featuring queer protagonists. I also specialize in psychological and mystery thrillers. Those are the books I read most often, and the ones I most enjoy analyzing, as both an author and editor. There’s something special about the juxtaposition between love and danger (whether physical or emotional).
What types of fiction authors do you work with?
Authors who have at least two years of experience in fiction writing or at least three years in long-form narrative nonfiction. In fiction, that can be fanfiction, short stories, flash fiction, or full-length novels. You have a base understanding of how a story’s puzzle pieces shape a reader’s experience. You’ve written for someone other than your parent(s), neighborhood friends, or high school English teacher; in short, you’ve written for an audience that doesn’t personally know you. You’re also willing to learn new ways the pieces that make up a good story might fit together to create a whole different experience than you were initially thinking of exploring.
What types of nonfiction authors do you work with?
Authors who have at least three years in long-form narrative nonfiction. Think personal essays, magazine articles (hardcopy or electronic), how-to booklets, and similar publications. You have a base understanding of how a particular message or lesson shapes a reader’s experience. You’ve written for someone other than your parent(s), neighborhood friends, or high school English teacher; in short, like with fiction, you’ve written for an audience that doesn’t personally know you. You’re also willing to learn about and be challenged by the techniques that help build a strong, well-paced, forward-moving narrative.
What training and experience do you have?
You can check out the specifics of my professional credentials here. To summarize, though, I’ve completed University of Washington’s Certificate in Editing, Club Freelancers’ Certificate in Developmental Editing of Fiction, multiple craft and business workshops, as well as hosting webinars and speaking at professional organizations’ events and conferences.
Where can I get regular free tips?
My monthly newsletter The Editor–Author Perspective hits inboxes the first Tuesday of every month. You can sign up here!
Alright, I’m convinced! How can I start the process of working with you?
On each of my Services pages, you can reach out for a free consultation. You can also email me directly at shannon@sageediting.com.
Reflecting On Your Story One Word At A Time!