I am committed to assisting new and self-published authors to achieve confidence in their writing skills so they create the book(s) or short stories of their dreams—writings that interest readers, agents, and publishers.
If you’re looking for a proven editor who can guide you to create a reader-worthy manuscript, you’ve come to the right place. For two decades—while living in New York City and in my new location in Louisiana—I’ve worked with amazing clients with similar concerns and guided them to success. My mission and commitment is to assist new and self-published authors to create manuscripts that fulfill their and readers’ expectations.
Clients say remarkable things about the impact my work has on their writing experience and its role in attaining their desired result: become a published or self-published author. Examples:
“Joyce was able to take my gibberish and convolution of uncoordinated words and transform the manuscript into a tight presentation that attracted three offers for publication.” ~ Jim Riley, LA
“Joyce, thank you for the work you have done on my memoir manuscript. I hadn't realized how much I needed you until I had done my part of the editing process based on your suggestions and guidance. Almost immediately, I tucked you under my wing to keep you close because you were consistently on target.” ~ P. McCloughlin, NYC
"Simply put: No Joyce, no book. Part editor, part coach, part teacher, Joyce was absolutely phenomenal throughout the entire editing process. Working with Joyce was like taking a graduate course in writing with your all time favorite teacher and you were the only student. I just can't say enough good things." ~ Eric Berbig, Author of The People's Will
Similar benefits await you when you decide to invite me to join your adventure as a writer and serve in the powerful ways that I can support your success.
I provide services for writers, with a focus on assisting new and indie authors. Services include Manuscript Evaluation, Substantive Editing, and Silent (Ghost) Rewriting/Editing, which includes converting plays and screenplays into novels. My clients say I'm part editor, part teacher, part coach. Details available at http://editmybookandmore.weebly.com/.
I've written a number of books/ebooks including: I Don’t Want to be Your Guru, but I Have Something to Say (considered by some to be the contemporary of the perennial Jonathan Livingston Seagull); Reinvent Yourself: Refuse to Settle for Less in Life and Business; and How to Have What You REALLY Want.
You Are More! EXTRA: Over 11,000 reads and yours free to give away to others! http://www.scribd.com/doc/23362264/Joyce-Shafer-You-Are-More
Contact me through SelfGrowth or at jls1422@yahoo.com.
New authors don't know what they don't know about the technical and creative principles of writing. Best-selling or otherwise successful authors work very hard to make writing look easy. ~ Joyce L. Shafer
“Books aren’t written—they’re rewritten. Including your own. It is one of the hardest things to accept, especially after the seventh rewrite hasn’t quite done it.” – Best-selling author Michael Crichton
"Mediocrity is self-imposed." ~ Walter Russell
“Often, the biggest difference between a published writer and an aspiring writer is their willingness to polish a manuscript before they submit…. Accepting the inevitability of revisions can free your creative muses.” – Authors Christie Craig and Faye Hughes
“First drafts are for learning what your novel or story is about. Revision is working with that knowledge to enlarge and enhance an idea, to reform it. D. H. Lawrence did seven or eight drafts of The Rainbow. The first draft of a book is the most uncertain—where you need guts, the ability to accept the imperfect until it is better. Revision is one of the true pleasures of writing.” –Bernard Malamud.
Visit my Web site at http://editmybookandmore.weebly.com/ to read some client testimonials and check out my services to see which one best fits your needs at this time.