| Cindy Vallar
Author, Columnist,
& Editor
|
 |
| Cindy Vallar
Author, Columnist,
& Editor
|
|
Editing Service
As a writer it's important to know what other people think of my work, especially before I submit my manuscript to publishers.The more professional the manuscript appears, the better the chance that an agent or editor will take me seriously.
- Does the story work for and interest them?
- Do I show or tell?
- What do they like or dislike about the story and the characters?
- Is the manuscript free from grammar, spelling, and other errors?
During my years of writing, I have often been asked to critique and edit other writers' works. My years as an educator, librarian, reviewer, and writer provide me with the skills and experience to do this and do it well. In addition to my own published writing credentials, I am an editor and copy editor for Wings Press and was the short story editor for NovelBooks, Inc. I write Red Pencil, an editing column for Solander, the magazine of the Historical Novel Society, where I am also an Associate Editor. I also edit for Pyrates Way Magazine.
I offer my editing services to any writer who wants a trained and unjaundiced eye to help improve his/her writing. Any comments I make are offered as suggestions; it is up to the writer to decide whether the advice is worth taking or not. I work with the author to make his/her story the best it can be.
What do I do when I edit someone's work? I read the entire book, make line edits (grammar, spelling, punctuation), point out discrepancies (the hero has blue eyes at the beginning of the book, but purple eyes at the end or the hero drives a truck after it's destroyed in a fire), identify passive sentences that should become active, and provide recommendations for what works and doesn't work or where there's too much or too little information given for the reader to understand what the author attempts to convey.
Below are what other authors have said about my edits. If you would like me to edit your work, e-mail me for more information about what I do and what I charge. Unsure whether or not you'd like my help?
Send it to me in the body of an e-mail with your request for a free sample. Please identify the genre and audience, and provide a word count of the total manuscript. I'll be happy to edit your first chapter for free.
Click on the Thistle to Contact Me.Warmest regards,
Cindy
Substitute damn every time you're inclined to write very; your editor will delete it
and the writing will be just as it should be. ~ Mark Twain, author and humorist (1835-1910)
Red Pencil
SolanderAn editing column where I compare an author's draft of a work with the published novel
November 2007 Spotlight on: The Eagle's Prophecy by Simon Scarrow
May 2007 Spotlight on: The Expected One by Kathleen McGowan
So sensitively covered! Excellent. ~ Faye TurnerNovember 2006 Spotlight on: Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy
May 2006 Spotlight on: Oksana by Susan K. Downs and Susan May Warren
November 2005 Spotlight on: The Only Life That Mattered by James L. Nelson
May 2005 Spotlight on: There Is a Wideness by Mark McAllister
It is superb. Thank you so much for featuring my book in your debut column. ~ Mark McAllister
Authorconnect.com's Editor Entry
What Others Think of My Edits
Just a note to let you know how much fun it was to work with you. I've learned much. I thought the process would be painful but it wasn't. It was great.
Rita Thedford, author of Tempted, Wings, winner of the Golden Wings Award for Historical RomanceI wanted to thank you for the great editing you did on my book. It is totally different and more easy to read. I love all the changes. Tammy Winslett, In Spirit and In Truth
Your comments were invaluable. Thanks for your help. Your teaching is just what I need.
Sabrena SimmsI can never express with words my appreciation for your excellent help on this novel. Thank you so much, and thanks for wishing me well with this one.
Margery Harkness-Casares, author of Flood, Drought, and Trudy Pyburn, Wings, Feb. 2007Thank you for your excellent comments on the Dutch story.
Tom D.FINALLY, an editor who edits and teaches at the same time! This is just what I need because you are teaching me to understand the craft, the why's and how's of writing.
Marilyn MorningstarIt was a pleasure working with you on Means to an End. Your suggestions were helpful and made my story stronger.
Carol McPhee, author of Means to an EndOne of the problems in self-publishing your own book is that you get too close to your own work to do a good copy edit. However, having said that, finding a good copy editor is not easy. I was extremely lucky in getting Cindy Vallar to copy edit my book Holly!! and His Black Coat of Invisibility. She did an excellent job.
Paul La Violette, Annabelle PublishingCindy worked well with the authors and website team, without conflict or problems. She always submitted her files on time, without having to be reminded, and produced quality work. She took the initiative, and when she saw something that wasn't editorially correct, she explained why in a clear and concise manner. When editorial differences arose, she worked with her supervisor and the authors to come to the best solution for everyone, without sacrificing the integrity of the work. I highly recommend Cindy Vallar as an excellent editor.
Ruth D. Kerce, Website Director, Novel Books, Inc.Thanks for doing such a terrific job of copyediting.
Lynette Baughman, author of Vegas CentennialI read that the single most difficult relationship in writing is between the author and editor. This concerned me because I'd never written a published work. Cindy surprised me with her patience and flexibility, her expertise and knowledge about things related to writing and publishing. At times I felt that I must be her only customer. She answered all my questions and taught me how to take my work to a professional level. At one point I discovered how difficult it is to have someone critique your labor of love. I really didn't like it when she told me my sentences were passive, or that I'd used the same word five times in two paragraphs, but I saw the value of it. She's made this an enjoyable experience. Thank you, Cindy.
Mark Bogumill, author of KingMaker: Book One - The Swamp CrusadeI have Cindy Vallar, my valued editor, to thank for all her contributions to make Prairie Peace what it is. In my opinion, any author who works with Cindy is a winner from the beginning.
Ginger Simpson, author of Prairie Peace and Sisters in TimeCindy works with the author as if the author and editor are a team. She guides with a gentle hand and makes valuable suggestions. Discrepancies are pointed out tactfully and professionally. When I asked questions, her replies were always prompt, courteous and informative. Her attention to detail is a bonus. I learned valuable skills from her and will carry these skills into my future projects. Due to her excellent editing skills, my romantic suspense novel Love Through a Stranger’s Eyes has received fantastic reviews and won the Word Weaving Award of Excellence and the prestigious Scribes World Reviewer’s Choice Award. Cindy Vallar’s knowledge and kindness are a great combination. She is a pleasure to work with and a valuable asset to have on your side. I look forward to working with her on many future projects. Highly recommended.
Jan Springer, Award-winning Romantic Suspense Author, Love Through a Stranger's Eyes, 2003 EPPIE FinalistYour feedback is exactly what I wanted, and desperately needed to help me discover my unconscious mistakes and then be able to rectify them. Your comments are so clear and straight to the point. I understand exactly what you mean and find myself saying, "Oh, yes, I can see that. Why couldn't I see it before?" It's so hard to find someone like you. So many do not have your insight or sensitivity. These pages will enable me to lift my work up to a much higher level. You are a brilliant critiquer and just the right person to inspire and help writers achieve their dreams.
Glenice Whitting, author of Pickle to Pi, 2006 winner of Illura Press Fiction QuestThanks so much for all of your editorial support!! and your encouragement!
JoAnn G. Mondowney, author of Hold Them in Your Heart: Successful Strategies for Library Services to At-Risk Teens (Neal-Schuman Publishers, 2001)Did I tell you I think you're an amazing editor? You must be so busy, yet you gave me so much of your valuable time. I've used many of your suggestions because I could see the improvement to the prose straight away. I've also followed a lot of your recommendations for manuscript format. I'm so fortunate to have gained your help.
Wendy J. Dunn, author of Glyph Award winner Dear Heart, How Like You This?(Metropolis Ink, 2002)How can I thank you for such in-depth critiquing? Thanks for the very thorough reading and comments! You pointed out some problem areas that I hadn't noticed, as well as a few I'd considered changing. I really appreciate you taking the time to read and critique this more than I can say.
Virginia KatzeffThank you so much for your careful comments. Your points are excellent. As I begin writing my first historical romance I need to focus on the critical points that the reader would be confused by. You have been very helpful in that. I'll consider how to make what you notice work more smoothly. And I really appreciate your sitting down and writing such a great message. That's very nice of you.
Kate MurphyAs usual, Cindy, you've given me a lot to think about! And I love it!! Thanks for the input. I'll definitely look you up for more critiquing.
Kei Swanson, author of The Words of the Pitcher and Seabird of SanematsuMany, many thanks. Another head is so good. You have a different approach to synopses and I used all of them. Your comments are most welcome. Thanks again. Everything you said was right-on, and I love it.
Y. L. Harris, critique partner and author of Hindu Kush
Articles on Editing for Writers
Avoiding an Editor’s Most UN-Wanted List by Tina Morgan
Avoiding Comma Confusion by Moira Allen
Beyond Basic Blunders by Jerry B. Jenkins
Common Mechanical Errors by Vicki Hinze
Dangling Modifers by Lee Masterson
Editing Made Easy by Lee Masterson
Nice Work--Just Change Everything by Jenna Glatzer
Reasons Editors Reject Manuscripts by Vicki Hinze
Ten Mistakes Writers Don’t See by Pat Holt
