Is someone on your list working on a nonfiction or children’s book project? Gifting them an hour consult can help answer many writing, editing, and publishing questions and get them ready to launch their project or continue with confidence in the new year!
Here’s an idea of how the hour might be spent:
15 minutes. Author emails manuscript to me (Erin Wood, with more than a decade of publishing experience and more than 15 years of book editing experience). If it’s a children’s book manuscript, I will read the entire book. If it’s a nonfiction book, I’ll read as much as I can in 15 minutes to get a sense of the tone and potential edits.
45 minutes. Phone call or Zoom with author.
Discuss writer’s goals and how the consult can be most useful to them.
Provide initial feedback based on reading and editorial assessment.
Discuss whether writer is more interested in editorial feedback or publishing advice, and depending, either:
Provide advice and suggestions about possible revisions including those related to character, narrative arc, tone, subject matter, etc. If appropriate, suggest reading materials. Discuss potential further editing needs and/or next steps for author revisions.
Provide advice and concrete steps toward publishing such as how to determine when the project is ready to send to publishers, how to find potential publishers, how to develop and write a query letter, and/or steps to take toward self-publishing.
A one-hour consult is $65, and other options are available under the “Consultations” tab at etaliapress.com. If you need something to wrap under the tree or to stick in their stocking, I’ve got printed gift certificates. Got another idea? DM me or email hello at etaliapress dot com. Happy holiday season!