Services
Developmental edit
This is a full evaluation of your manuscript, as an editor at a publishing house would do for you. I make notes throughout in track changes and create an editorial letter to show my overall impressions. We then schedule a phone call to go over my notes, and you have the ability to follow up afterward–up to an hour of my time–so you’re not totally alone with it.
Query letter review
Query letters are difficult to write on your own–you’re so close to the work! I can edit your letter or help you create one and give you pointers on what will capture an agent’s interest.
Finding an agent
For authors whose work I have edited and I feel the manuscript is ready for an agent’s eyes, I will help match make with my many contacts in the agent world. Representation is never guaranteed, though I have helped many of my clients find an agent.
Building your platform/social media
I can help walk you through the process so that you understand what a publisher will be looking for in an author’s online presence. I can also recommend independent publicity and marketing experts who can help supplement your efforts.
How I work
For a developmental edit, I read your finished manuscript three times: once to get a sense of the story, next to make overall notes and cuts, last to make smaller tweaks and poke holes where necessary. All the while, I make notes on a separate document, which will become my editorial letter.
Once I’ve finished my read (generally 3-4 weeks), I’ll contact you to set up a phone call so we can go over everything before I send you your edited manuscript and editorial letter (I edit in track changes unless you prefer hard copy). I’m then available via email or phone should you need me to clarify my notes or if you want to brainstorm ideas with me.
My goal is to give you the editorial tools you need to create the best book possible. I know being alone with the work can feel tiring and frustrating, so I’m here to help you through the process.
Testimonials
Rates
I offer both by word and hourly rates, depending on the scope of the project. Please contact me for more details.
About Me
I began my publishing career as an assistant at the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency in Del Mar, California. After living and teaching in Aix-en-Provence, France, and managing a clothing store in Carmel, California I moved to New York to work as an editorial assistant for the Crown Publishing Group (Random House). I worked for Random House for five years and was then offered the job of Senior Editor at Simon & Schuster’s Touchstone imprint. In 2013, my husband and I made the decision to move back to California to be closer to our families as we started our own family; we now have two small children, both book lovers.
Today, I edit adult fiction, with particular emphasis on historical fiction, women’s fiction, literary fiction, contemporary romance, mysteries, and thrillers. LGBTQ+ and BIPOC writers and themes are of particular interest.
I am the co-founder of Northern California Writers’ Retreat, five days of writing and workshops in Carmel Valley every March. We’ll be back in person again for 2023! Learn more at: norcalwritersretreat.com.
Say Hello
If you would like to work with me, please send me an email and tell me a little bit about you and your project at hello@heatherlazare.com.
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