Harvey Stanbrough, nominated: Pulitzer, Frankfurt Award, ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Award, Pushcart, National Book Award.
of possible interest to writers and poets
Just a thought for the next time you glance at that page,
lying there dead and pathetic:
the words you will write on that page
with your hand, from your mind,
first were written in the wood from which the paper was made
and in the tree from which the wood was cut
and in the seed from which the tree grew
and in the ancestral memories of the seed itself.
You are not alone....
Note: I'm an independent freelance editor. This is a no-strings offer of a free sample edit.
You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. There is no obligation on your part,
and I do not share your name, email address, or other information with anyone. Now . . .
for a free sample edit and critique
The sample edit, like a full edit, includes editing for content and a line edit for spelling, grammar, syntax, punctuation, and consistency. Content issues include weak or unnecessary narrative or dialogue, plot or storyline flaws, characterization flaws, etc. You will also receive any applicable critique and/or instructive comments. Editing References
Please Note: The references below are current as of 2009. This is not by any means an exhaustive list. Before I met Harvey, I'd written three manuscripts and had collected quite an assortment of rejection letters from various agents and publishers. I sent my first manuscript to Harvey to edit, and within weeks I'd landed a major New York agent. Harvey is extremely easy to work with, and he takes great pains to maintain the author's unique voice and writing style. He has an uncanny sixth sense when it comes to English grammar and usage, and I wouldn't use any one else to edit my work. Alison Holt, Novelist alexnath@aol.com Harvey has a light touch, as an editor, and a pinpoint accuracy. When my work comes back to me, I can tell that he did something because it sounds like me, only better. But I can't figure out what he did. He's a magician. Dawn Downey, Storyteller and Essayist dawnldowney@yahoo.com I've learned more from Harvey Stanbrough than from any other editor or teacher I've ever had. He'll keep your rhythm intact, not try to change your style, and will point out everything you're doing wrong in a caring and professional manor. He's a great teacher! Glen M. Glenn, Novelist glenmglenn@msn.com Harvey makes my writing stronger without taking away my voice. His editing is thorough and he's prompt in responding. He's patient, encouraging and explains things in a way that you will understand. I like Harvey's attitude and fun sense of humor. He tells it like it is, which is what a writer needs. Lynn Obermoeller, Writer lober13@gmail.com I was so pleased with Harvey's thorough editing on my first novel, that I had him edit my second one too. He scoured every word and punctuation mark for grammatical correctness as well as effectiveness, yet never altered my voice. I liked how he returned two versions of my edited manuscript: one with his edits marked in red and the other a clean version with the edits incorporated. I found especially helpful the comments he wrote beside the edits explaining why he changed a sentence or suggested a different verb. With publishing competition becoming ever tighter, a serious writer can't afford to send an imperfect manuscript to an agent or publisher. With Harvey's edit, you can be confident that your manuscript will be technically perfect. Terry Cobb, Novelist tlcobb@grm.net I was pleased with your work. You not only provided me with a copy showing all of the editing changes, orrections, etc., but a polished copy of both of the novels you edited for me. You really cleaned them up. Sam Orlich, Novelist bumpasimo@cox.net Harvey Stanbrough not only edited my novel, but encouraged me in the pursuit, and gave me some good leads for publishers, one of which took the book and ran with it. I learned a lot about the business from Harvey, and have become a better writer technically due to his guidance. Tom Anselm, teacher/author, YOU'RE NEVER TOO OLD FOR SPACE CAMP tjanselm@sbcglobal.net Harvey teaches as he edits. He explains why this or that works or doesn�t work. Working with him is always a growing experience for me. Larry Long, Novelist llong10@cox.net With gentle patience Harvey Stanbrough continues to edit my fledging writing efforts. His lithe touch and patient instruction glide though my writing errors while he positively encourages me to continue. I thoroughly enjoy his writing seminars, and every time they're offered they are a "look-forward-to" event. Mary Darling, Writer mcma4444@msn.com Here are several more names and email addresses of recent editing clients: Paul G. Schreiber, Memoirist American By Choice americanbychoice@commspeed.net Georgie Mills, Novelist georgieis@mac.com Zach Montgomery, Novelist Zachone@cableone.net Penny Porter, Memoirist wporter202@aol.com George Belt, Novelist gbelt04@suddenlink.net Greg Kleiner, Novelist Penniegreg@aol.com Marilyn Pate, Memoirist marilynp81@cox.net Bob Wallace, Novelist oomojo@hotmail.com Dan Vanderburg, Novelist mrdanvan@comcast.net Denise Roessle, Memoirist droessle@mac.com Irene Gargantini, Novelist Irenegargantini@aol.com Lesley Lupo, Nonfiction Writer lightthepath@aol.com Finally, here are several more references from over the past several years: "Everything looks really great, very polished. You've helped me tremendously. And it would be such a privilege to work with you again." ~ Catherine Dix ~ Novelist, Rosetta Stones ~ cdix1130@yahoo.com "Rarely does one find an editor who has mastered the art of preserving the writer's voice...." ~ Robby Dixon ~ Novelist, The Healer ~ gq1014@earthlink.net "Thanks so much for the edit. You did a great job. I believe the book is much stronger due to your suggestions." Leo Watkins ~ Novelist, Sky Wanderers ~ Lwatkins10@aol.com "I spent a good deal of time choosing an editor for my manuscript. After narrowing the field to five or six, all of whom came with solid credentials, I requested sample edits from each of them. The best sample edit by far came from Harvey Stanbrough. Harvey managed to clean up my prose without compromising my style, a rare quality among editors. Together we produced a manuscript that exceeded my expectations." ~ David Turkstra ~ Novelist, The Search for Gojesmo ~ david@701.com "Harvey Stanbrough suggested revisions that tightened the writing and improved the fictive experience for the reader. He completed the work quickly and thoroughly, and kept me informed along the way." ~ G. Michael Patterson ~ Novelist, Naked Stands the Hunter ~ fiction@g-michael-patterson.com "Mine was an unconventional and highly controversial book. I wanted someone who would appreciate the beauty of poetic prose and the power of political outrage and would let me know when I strayed from either. Harvey Stanbrough was perfect for the job." ~ John Mickey ~ Novelist, Poisoned Medicine ~ jmickey@hawaii.rr.com "The turnaround time for each of my books was exceptional. Mr. Stanbrough is thorough and detailed, and his editing was never intrusive." ~ Kelly Knight ~ Novelist, Murder Gets a Failing Grade, Murder Cum Laude, and We Already Deja'd This Murder ~ nynaeve1723@yahoo.com "Harvey Stanbrough edited my 2001 short story collection CLOSE PROGRAM. He is uncommonly respectful of an author's work and very knowledgeable about the craft. He's a joy to work with." ~ Jason Gurley ~ Author, CLOSE PROGRAM ~ www.deeplyshallow.com ~ gurley@onebox.com |